Are you a fan of pork belly but often forget to thaw it out before cooking?
Don’t worry, you can still enjoy this delicious cut of meat straight from the freezer!
Cooking pork belly from frozen may seem daunting, but with the right techniques and cooking times, you can achieve a perfectly cooked and crispy dish.
In this article, we’ll explore different methods for cooking pork belly from frozen, including stovetop, oven, and air fryer options.
We’ll also cover tips for thawing and storing pork belly, as well as some tasty recipe ideas to try out.
So grab your frozen pork belly and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Pork Belly From Frozen?
Cooking pork belly from frozen requires some adjustments to the cooking time and temperature. The general rule of thumb is to cook it for one and a half times longer than you would for fresh pork belly.
For stovetop cooking, you can cook frozen pork belly on a grill or in a heavy skillet. Cook it twice as long as you normally would and at the same temperature threshold as chicken.
For oven cooking, preheat your oven to 220 degrees Celsius at conventional setting for 10 minutes. Remove the pork belly from its packaging and place it skin side up on the center section of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove it onto a chopping board and let it rest for at least 10 minutes to lock in the juices. Flip the pork belly skin side down and slice it along the cut lines already made for you. Then flip the sliced pieces (meat side down and crispy skin facing the side) and continue slicing them to your desired size.
For air fryer cooking, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spritz the leftover pork belly with oil and cook skin-side-up for about 7 minutes until warmed through.
No matter which method you choose, always check the temperature of the pork in the center of the thickest part to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 145°F/63°C or above before consuming.
Thawing And Storing Pork Belly
Before cooking pork belly, it is important to properly thaw and store it to ensure its quality and safety. There are several safe ways to thaw pork belly, including in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. However, it is not recommended to defrost pork belly in the microwave as it can be difficult to determine the proper defrosting time.
To thaw pork belly in the refrigerator, simply place it in a dish or on a plate and let it sit overnight. For larger cuts of pork belly, it may take up to 24 hours per 5 pounds of meat to fully thaw. It is important to never thaw pork belly at room temperature as this can promote bacterial growth.
If you need to thaw pork belly more quickly, you can place it in a bowl of cold water for 30-60 minutes. Make sure to use an airtight or leak-proof bag to prevent water from seeping into the meat. Once thawed, rinse the pork belly with cold water and pat it dry with a paper towel.
When storing pork belly, it is best to wrap it tightly in plastic or aluminum foil and place it in the freezer. Pork belly can be frozen for up to six months without significantly affecting its quality. However, if left in the freezer for too long, it may suffer from freezer burn which can cause it to become dry and tough.
If you have previously cooked pork belly and want to freeze it, simply place it in a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to six months. When thawing cooked pork belly, make sure to do so in the refrigerator overnight. Refreezing previously frozen cooked pork belly is not recommended as it can further degrade its quality.
Stovetop Method For Cooking Frozen Pork Belly
If you want to cook frozen pork belly on the stovetop, you can use a heavy skillet or cast iron pan. The Costco sous vide pork belly stovetop directions suggest heating a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat and putting the pork belly slices in a single layer in the pan. You can add a couple of tablespoons of juices from the packaging to the pan while cooking, but this is optional.
Sear the pork belly in the pan on both sides until it reaches a safe temperature of 145°F/63°C for at least 15 seconds. Use a meat thermometer to check it and watch it closely as it can go from crisp to burnt quite quickly.
If you are cooking frozen pork belly using a regular pan, heat the dry skillet over medium-high heat and do not add any oil to the skillet. Since pork belly contains so much fat, adding extra oil isn’t necessary. Cut the pork belly into slices using a sharp knife, and then place the slices of pork belly in the hot pan. Cook them, turning often, until both sides of each slice are golden-brown and crispy.
Once the pork belly is well-browned, drain the excess fat and add the seasoning ingredients such as honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the pork belly like a glaze. You’ll need to continue flipping and rotating the slices so that all sides are coated in the sauce.
Remember to always check the temperature of the pork in the center of the thickest part to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 145°F/63°C or above before consuming. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious meal!
Oven Method For Cooking Frozen Pork Belly
Cooking frozen pork belly in the oven requires a bit more time than cooking fresh pork belly. The cooking time for frozen pork belly is around one and a half times longer than for fresh pork belly.
To cook frozen pork belly in the oven, preheat your oven to 220 degrees Celsius at conventional setting for 10 minutes. Remove the pork belly from its packaging and place it skin side up on the center section of the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove it onto a chopping board and let it rest for at least 10 minutes to lock in the juices.
Flip the pork belly skin side down and slice it along the cut lines already made for you. Then flip the sliced pieces (meat side down and crispy skin facing the side) and continue slicing them to your desired size. Roasting will take between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on the thickness of the meat and your oven.
Always check the temperature of the pork in the center of the thickest part to ensure it has reached a safe temperature of 145°F/63°C or above before consuming. With this oven method, you can enjoy delicious and crispy pork belly even when it’s frozen.
Air Fryer Method For Cooking Frozen Pork Belly
Air frying frozen pork belly is a great option for those who want to save time and energy in the kitchen. However, it does require a longer cooking time compared to fresh thawed meat. Typically, it will take about 30 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the size of the pork belly.
To prepare the pork belly for air frying, slice it into 1-inch thick pieces and rub olive oil and pepper all over each piece. If the pork belly is not salted, sprinkle salt on all sides too. Place the slices inside the air fryer basket without overlapping and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 minutes total, flipping after minute 5 and 10. Thicker pieces may take longer, up to 15 minutes total.
It’s important to ensure that the pork belly is cooked all the way through before consuming it since it is pork. You always want to leave a bit of room in between each piece of food and never overlap. A single layer is vital for the hot air to circulate adequately and brown it all the way around. The key to delicious air-fried pork belly is achieving a crispy texture on the outside.
If you’re starting with frozen pork belly, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes before cooking. Once you’ve air fried the pork belly at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes and then 400 degrees Fahrenheit for another 20 minutes, the meat should be cooked all the way through. After that, it’s simply a matter of getting the skin as crispy as you want! Check at the end of the cooking time and keep checking every five minutes or so until it’s done to your liking.
Recipe Ideas For Cooking Frozen Pork Belly
Cooking frozen pork belly can be a challenge, but with a little creativity, you can still create delicious and flavorful dishes. Here are some recipe ideas for cooking frozen pork belly:
1. Pork Belly Ramen: Cook the frozen pork belly in a pot of boiling water for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. Slice it into thin pieces and add it to a bowl of ramen noodles, along with your favorite veggies and broth.
2. Pork Belly Tacos: Cook the frozen pork belly in the oven or on the stovetop until crispy. Slice it into small pieces and serve it on top of warm tortillas, along with fresh salsa, avocado, and lime wedges.
3. Pork Belly Fried Rice: Cook the frozen pork belly in a skillet until crispy. Remove it from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, cook some rice, veggies, and scrambled eggs. Add the crispy pork belly back into the skillet and mix everything together.
4. Pork Belly Sliders: Cook the frozen pork belly in the oven or on the stovetop until crispy. Slice it into small pieces and serve it on slider buns, along with your favorite toppings like cheese, pickles, and mustard.
5. Pork Belly Stir Fry: Cook the frozen pork belly in a skillet until crispy. Remove it from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, stir fry some veggies like broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers. Add the crispy pork belly back into the skillet and mix everything together with your favorite stir fry sauce.
No matter what recipe you choose, cooking frozen pork belly can still result in delicious and satisfying meals that are sure to impress your family and friends.