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Crispy Cast Iron Maple Glazed Pork Belly Recipe with Easy Apple Slaw

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A flavorful and comforting dish featuring crispy maple-glazed pork belly cooked in a cast iron skillet, paired with a fresh, tangy apple slaw that balances the richness perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (700g) pork belly, skin on
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (Grade A Dark Amber preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 medium crisp apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), julienned or thinly sliced
  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrot
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels. Score the skin in a crosshatch pattern about 1/4 inch deep.
  2. Season the pork belly generously with kosher salt and black pepper, rubbing into the skin and meat. Let it sit uncovered in the fridge for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  3. In a small bowl, combine maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt to make the maple glaze. Set aside.
  4. Prepare the apple slaw by tossing julienned apples, shredded cabbage, carrot, and red onion in a large bowl.
  5. Whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt) in a small bowl. Pour over the slaw and toss well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill until ready to serve.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
  7. Place pork belly skin-side down in the hot skillet. Press gently with tongs and cook for 8-10 minutes until skin starts to brown and crisp.
  8. Flip pork belly and cook meat side for 3-4 minutes.
  9. Remove skillet from heat and brush maple glaze generously over pork belly skin and meat.
  10. Transfer skillet to oven and roast for 30-40 minutes, basting with more glaze every 10 minutes. If skin isn’t crisp enough, broil for last 2-3 minutes watching carefully.
  11. Remove pork belly from oven and let rest on cutting board for 10 minutes.
  12. Slice pork belly into 1/2-inch thick pieces and serve warm with chilled apple slaw.

Notes

Dry the pork belly skin thoroughly and score it shallowly for best crispiness. Let pork rest before slicing to keep it juicy. Apple slaw can be made a day ahead to intensify flavors. Broil carefully if finishing skin crisping to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork belly, maple glaze, apple slaw, crispy pork, cast iron skillet, comfort food, easy dinner, fall recipe

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/crispy-cast-iron-maple-glazed-pork-belly-recipe-with-easy-apple-slaw/