The rich, smoky flavor of smoked pork belly has made it one of the most popular dishes for barbecue lovers everywhere. This delicious and versatile dish is perfect for any occasion, from a backyard BBQ to a family dinner. Get the exciting recipe here!
Pork belly has a high-fat content that gives it an unbeatable flavor and texture when it’s slowly cooked over low heat. When it comes to smoking pork belly, a pellet smoker is a great choice. Pellet smokers offer a range of flavors and aromas, allowing you to infuse your dish with your favorite smoky tastes.
In this recipe, a blend of brown sugar, paprika, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder is used to make a dry rub that’s rubbed all over the pork belly. The dry rub is then allowed to sit for at least 30 minutes, so the flavors can blend together. The result is a perfectly seasoned piece of pork belly that’s ready to cook.
The slow and low cooking process, combined with the high-fat content of the pork belly, creates a dish that’s fall-apart tender and packed with flavor. So if you’re looking for a dish that’s sure to impress, look no further than this smoky pork belly recipe!
How To Make Smoked Pork Belly
Prepare Pork Belly
Prepare the Dry Rub
Preheat Pellet Smoker
Smoke the Pork Belly
Wrap the Pork Belly in Foil
Brush with BBQ Sauce and Finish Smoking
Rest and Serve
Enjoy your delicious smoked pork belly!
Tips For Making The Best Smoked Pork Belly
So far you came to know how to cook pork belly step by step but again whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just starting out, these tips will help you achieve mouthwatering results every time. So fire up the pellet smoker and let’s get started!
Temperature is Key
Ensure that you maintain a consistent temperature of 225°F in the smoker for the entire cooking process. This will help the pork belly cook evenly and achieve the desired tenderness and flavor.
Wood Pellets Matter
Experiment with different types of wood pellets to find your preferred flavor. Popular options include hickory, mesquite, apple, and cherry. Each type of wood will impart its own unique flavor to the meat.
Patience is a Virtue
Smoking pork belly takes time, so be patient and don’t rush the cooking process. Allow the meat to smoke for 6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, before wrapping it in foil and continuing to smoke until it reaches 200°F. The entire process from start to finish could take up to 8 hours.
Try Different BBQ’s
I’m a big fan of making smoked pork belly on my Traeger pellet grill but from time to time, it’s fun to switch it up. Give this recipe a try on a Kamado Joe charcoal smoker or the Ninja Woodfire Grill. Both have even amazing flavor to this recipe and are easy to use.
Best Beer Pairings For Smoky Pork Belly
When it comes to pairing food and drink, few things beat the combination of a perfectly smoky pork belly and a delicious beer. Whether you prefer a rich, malty porter or a nutty, caramel-forward brown ale, there’s a beer out there that will elevate your taste to new heights.
Robust Porter
A robust porter’s bold, roasted flavor profile pairs perfectly with the smoky, savory flavors of a well-smoky pork belly. The beer’s rich, malty sweetness complements the pork’s natural sweetness and balances the salty, smoky flavors.
Brown Ale
A nutty, caramel-forward brown ale is a natural match for the rich, decadent flavors of a smoky pork belly. The ale’s toasty malt flavors play off the smoky flavors of the pork, creating a harmonious balance between sweet and savory.
Belgian Dubbel
A Belgian Dubbel, with its complex, dark fruit flavors and subtle hints of caramel, is the perfect pairing for a smoky pork belly. The beer’s rich, malty sweetness helps cut through the richness of the pork, making each bite a true taste sensation.
Related Recipes
Looking for more great smoker recipes? Check out our post on What To Smoke This Weekend for easy and delicious smoker recipes the whole family will love!
- Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe
- The Best Meat to Smoke
- 23 Quick Smoker Recipes For Busy Pitmasters
- Smoked Pork Butt Recipe
- Bacon Wrapped Smoked Pork Tenderloin Recipe
Smoked Pork Belly
Equipment
- Smoker Pellets
- Small bowl
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb pork belly
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½-1 tsp salt
- Chilli Powder (Optional)
Instructions
- Start by getting a 3-4 pound piece of pork belly and trimming off any excess fat.
- Mix together 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder to make a dry rub.
- Rub the dry mixture all over the pork belly and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Fill the pellet smoker hopper with your favorite flavor of pellets and set the temperature to 225°F.
- Place the pork belly on the grate and smoke for about 6 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F
- Remove pork belly from the smoker, spritz with apple juice, and wrap it in foil.
- Return it to the smoker and continue to smoke until the internal temperature of the pork belly reaches 200°F.
- Once the pork belly reaches 200°F, remove it from the smoker, brush it with BBQ sauce, and return it to the grill for 10 more minutes
- Remove and let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.