Find out how to make crispy Lechon Kawali, a Filipino classic dish of pork belly fried until it’s perfectly crunchy! Lechon Kawali is a popular pork dish all over the country, and soon, it will be all over the world.
It is made by boiling the pork belly slab and then deep-frying it. This makes the outside crispy and crunchy while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
Lechon Kawali is always my favorite dish, and I could eat it every day if it were as healthy as it tastes wonderful. But indulging once in a while should be fine.
I’ll also tell you a secret way to make the pork skin crackling really crispy in this post.
If you love pork belly you know that getting the perfect balance of tender, juicy meat and insanely crispy skin takes some finesse. An essential step in preparing pork belly for frying is boiling it first—but for how long? Undercook it and the meat will be tough. Boil it too long and you risk the texture becoming mushy.
So what’s the ideal boiling time to ensure your pork belly turns out melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside with an incredible crispy exterior? Through lots of trials in my kitchen, I’ve discovered the sweet spot for boil time that guarantees pork belly perfection every time.
In this article, I’ll share my tips on exactly how long to boil pork belly before frying it to achieve the texture you’re looking for Let’s dive in!
Why Boiling is Key for Crispy Pork Belly
You may be wondering why you need to boil pork belly at all before frying it crispy. Couldn’t you just skip that step? Boiling serves a few important purposes:
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It partially cooks the meat so it finishes faster when fried. Frying raw pork belly takes a really long time.
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It renders out some of the fat, preventing the fried pork from being overly greasy.
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It starts to break down the connective tissue so the meat turns out tender.
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It allows seasonings to penetrate for extra flavor.
Boiling kickstarts the cooking process so your pork belly crisps up much faster in the fryer or pan with no risk of undercooked meat.
How Long Should You Boil Pork Belly?
When it comes to boil time, thinner pieces of pork belly take less time than thick slabs. A general guideline is:
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Thin slices, 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick – Boil for 15-20 minutes
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Thick slices, 1 to 2 inches thick – Boil for 25-35 minutes
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Whole pork belly slab – Boil for 45-60 minutes
The most foolproof way to test doneness is by poking the pork belly with a fork. It should feel tender but still have some firmness. When done, it will start to break apart slightly but won’t be falling apart completely.
Boiling Tips for Perfect Pork Belly:
Follow these tips for the best boiled pork belly texture:
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Make shallow crosshatch scores in the skin before boiling to help render the fat.
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Use a pot just large enough to hold the pork belly. Too much water will dilute the flavor.
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Add aromatics like garlic, ginger, scallions, and spices to the poaching liquid.
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Simmer gently – a hard boil can cause the meat to seize up.
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Cool pork in the poaching liquid. This keeps it moist and prevents shrinking.
Preparing for Frying
Once your pork belly has boiled for the ideal amount of time, here are the next steps to prep it for frying:
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Drain and pat pork belly dry thoroughly with paper towels.
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Brush with oil – this helps facilitate even crisping.
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Chill in fridge for 1 hour if possible – this further dries out the skin’s surface.
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Cut into smaller pieces if frying (2-3 inches). Whole boiled pork belly is best finished in the oven.
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Season generously with salt, pepper, five-spice powder, etc.
Frying Methods for Crispy Pork Belly
To fry boiled pork belly, you have a few different options: pan-frying, deep-frying, or air frying.
For pan-frying, choose a heavy skillet and heat 1/4 inch oil over medium-high heat. Fry the pork belly pieces in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and sizzling.
For deep-frying, heat oil to 350°F and fry the pork belly for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and crispy.
To air fry, cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin puffs up.
No matter which cooking method you use, keep the heat high enough to crisp up that skin beautifully!
Oven-Roasted Pork Belly
My favorite way to finish boiled pork belly is oven roasting. This yields incredibly tender meat coated in crackling crisp skin:
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Pat the boiled pork belly dry and rub with oil, salt, and spices
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Place skin side up on a rack set over a sheet pan
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Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes to render the fat
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Reduce heat to 375°F and roast another 25 minutes
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Increase heat to 425°F and roast 5 more minutes to finish crisping the skin
The combination of boiling then oven roasting is my go-to method for whole pork belly and yields amazing results every time.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Now that you know exactly how long to boil pork belly to prepare it for frying or roasting, you have all the secrets for achieving the perfect tender-crispy balance.
I recommend boiling your pork belly for 25-35 minutes if the pieces are 1 inch thick or up to 1 hour for a whole slab. Then pat dry, season generously, and fry or roast at high heat to render that fat and achieve crispy crackling skin surrounding succulent, melt-in-your-mouth meat.
what is the best pork cut for Lechon Kawali?
- There is a cut of pork called Liempo, which is used to make Lechon Kawali. It is one of the tastiest parts of the pork because the layers of meat and fat change all the time.
- Pick a slab of pork belly that has good contrast between the fat and meat.
- It will be dry, hard, and chewy if you have too much lean meat, so don’t get a thick slab. Pick a pork belly slab that is no more than 1 ½ inches thick.
I BOILED IT FIRST – CRISPY PORK BELLY AIR FRY – 100% CRUNCHY
FAQ
How long should you boil pork before frying?
Should I boil pork belly before cooking?
Can you boil pork belly then fry it?
Should you boil pork belly before air frying?
How long does it take to boil pork belly?
The cooking time for boiling pork belly will depend on the size and thickness of the cut. On average, it can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours for the pork belly to become tender and fully cooked. It is best to check the doneness by inserting a fork or skewer into the meat to ensure it is soft and easily penetrable.
How long does pork belly take to cook?
These will infuse the pork belly with delicious flavors as it boils. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and let the pork belly cook for 1-2 hours, or until it reaches the desired level of tenderness.
How do you cook a fried pork belly?
Deliciously crunchy in every bite! In a pot, combine pork belly, salt, peppercorn, bay leaves, soy sauce, garlic, and water. Bring to boil. Let it cook until meat is fork-tender. Remove the pork belly from water and let the excess water completely drain. Transfer to a plate and then rub 1 tablespoon of salt all over the meat.
Can you fry pork belly if you boiled it?
Once you have boiled your pork belly for the appropriate amount of time, it’s time to prepare it for frying. The first step is to remove the skin of the pork belly. This can be done by scoring the skin with a sharp knife. If you prefer less fat, you can remove the extra fat with the skin.