Pork belly is a delicious and impressive cut of meat that can be challenging to cook just right. The keys are getting the pork belly tender and juicy on the inside, while achieving crispy, crackled skin on the outsideCooking it on a small portable grill like the Weber Baby Q complicates things further
But with the right technique, you can absolutely cook incredible pork belly on your Weber Baby Q. Here is a complete step-by-step guide to cooking moist, flavorful pork belly with crispy crackling every time.
Things You’ll Need
- 1 kg pork belly slab, skin on
- Pork belly rub
- Olive oil or cooking oil
- Wood chips (optional)
- Digital instant read thermometer
Step 1 – Prepare the Pork Belly
- Rinse the pork belly under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- With a sharp knife, score the skin side of the pork belly into a crosshatch or diamond pattern, cutting through just the skin and fat layer. Score it about 1 cm apart. This helps the fat render and the skin get crispy.
- Rub the scored skin liberally with salt. This seasons the meat and draws out moisture to further help crisping.
- Flip over and rub the meat side all over with your choice of pork belly rub. Get the seasoning into every nook and cranny.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the skin and rub it in evenly to distribute. The oil helps conduct heat for even crisping.
Step 2 – Indirect Cook on The Weber Baby Q
- Prep your Weber Baby Q for indirect cooking by placing a convection tray on the grill grates, and a trivet on top of that.
- Pre-heat your Weber Baby Q with the lid closed to around 450-550°F. Use wood chips in the smoker box for extra flavor if desired.
- Place the seasoned pork belly skin-side up on the trivet, not directly over the heat.
- Insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the belly, making sure not to touch any bones.
- Close the lid and adjust the gas regulator to maintain a temperature between 180-200°C (355-390°F).
- Cook for 30 minutes over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed.
Step 3 – Finish Cooking & Crisping The Skin
- After the first 30 minutes, turn the heat up to high, between 240-260°C (465-500°F).
- Continue cooking over indirect high heat, with the lid closed, until the thermometer reads 68°C (155°F).
- At this point, the skin should be sizzling and crispy. If not, increase the heat further and cook until the skin is crackling.
- Once the target temp is reached, remove from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Step 4 – Slice and Serve
- After resting, use a sharp knife to slice the pork belly into strips or cubes. Cut it perpendicular to the scoring lines.
- The meat should be fall-apart tender and juicy. The skin should be crackled and crispy.
- Pile it onto buns, tacos or rice bowls. Spoon over the juices from the resting plate.
- Add your choice of toppings and sides like coleslaw, kimchi, hoisin or sriracha sauce. Enjoy right away!
Tips For Perfect Pork Belly
- Choose a pork belly slab with an even thickness. Avoid ones with lots of bones or uneven shape.
- Let the pork belly sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Score the skin at regular 1 cm intervals. Go over it a few times to really slice through the fat layer.
- Rub plenty of salt and oil into the skin before cooking for extra crisping power.
- Use a digital leave-in thermometer to accurately monitor the internal temp.
- Maintain a consistent indirect heat around 180-200°C for the first 30 minutes covered.
- Finish uncovered at a high 240-260°C to fully crisp the skin at the end.
- Let it rest before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute.
Cooking tender, juicy pork belly with crunchy crackling is totally possible on a small portable grill like the Weber Baby Q. With the right prep, temperature control and indirect cooking method, you can achieve pork perfection. Use this complete guide for moist meat and crispy skin every time. Impress your family or guests with this mouthwatering barbecue meal.
Remove Product? Are you sure you want to remove the following product from the cart?
- PeopleServes 6
- Prep Time15 mins
- Grilling Time1 h
- Completed step 2 tablespoons salt
- Completed step 2 tablespoons paprika
- Completed step 4 teaspoons garlic powder
- Completed step 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- Completed step 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- Step done: 4½ pounds of pork belly with skin that is still whole
- Completed step salt
- instant-read thermometer
Take Your Grilling Anywhere
- In a small bowl stir together all the rub ingredients.
- Cut the pork belly’s skin side in a diamond shape with a sharp knife. Make sure the cuts are close together and go through the skin and fat but not the meat. Turn the pork belly over so that the skin is facing down. Spread the rub all over the meat. Turn the pork belly over so that the meat side is facing down. Rub the skin side with a lot of salt. This will help create a good crackling.
- Set up the grill so that it can cook food indirectly over high heat (450° to 550°F). Prepare the grill for cooking over high heat (500°F).
- Brush the cooking grates clean. For about 30 minutes, grill the pork belly over high heat that is not directly on top of it. Keep the lid on. With the lid closed, lower the heat to medium (350° to 450°F/180° to 230°C) and keep grilling the pork belly over indirect medium heat until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the belly reads 160°F. Brush the cooking grates clean. It should be grilled over high heat for about 30 minutes with the lid closed. With the lid closed, lower the heat to medium (350° to 450°F/180° to 230°C) and keep grilling the pork belly over medium heat until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the belly reads 160°F.
- Take it off the grill and let it rest for about 10 minutes at room temperature inside before cutting.
WEBER BABY Q : How To Perfect Pork Crackle Weber Q
FAQ
Can you cook pork belly in Weber Q?
How to cook pork on baby weber?
How to cook on a Weber baby Q?
How long does it take to cook pork belly on the grill?
How to cook pork belly on Weber BBQ?
Boil the pork belly for about 45 minutes in a pot of water with salt and pepper. This step will help render some fat and ensure a moist and tender result. 4. Use High Heat: When cooking on your Weber BBQ, make sure to use high heat to crisp up the skin. This will give you that satisfying crunch when you bite into the pork belly.
Can you cook pork belly on a Weber Baby Q?
Look no further than pork belly cooked on a Weber Baby Q! With the right technique, you can achieve perfectly crispy crackling and tender, juicy meat. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to cook pork belly on your Weber Baby Q, including tips for maintaining the right temperature and achieving that coveted crackling.
How to cook a pork belly in a Weber braai?
Prepare two indirect fires in the Weber braai before preparing the pork. Rub the pork belly with olive oil and sprinkle a generous amount of rock salt on the scored skin. Lay the pork belly in a small roasting dish over the Rosemary twigs (skin facing up) and place the dish in the center of the Weber, between the two fires.
How do you cook a Weber Baby Q?
Close the lid on your Weber Baby Q and turn the gas control knob off. Maintain a temperature between 180°C (355°F) and 200°C (390°F) for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, turn the gas control knob back on to low heat and continue cooking until the belly reaches an internal temperature of 68°C (155°F).