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Pinakupsan (Visayan-Style Crispy Pork Belly)

Pinakupsan is a minimalist Visayan pork dish where belly meat is salted and slow-cooked until golden-crisp in its own rendered fat, offering lechon-like satisfaction without the complexity of deep-frying or lengthy preparation.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 783 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Filipino

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork belly liempo, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons salt asin

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut the pork belly into 2-inch pieces, making sure each piece has both meat and fat. Season the pork pieces evenly with salt, rubbing the salt all over.
  2. Heat a thick-bottomed pan over high heat. When hot, place the pork pieces in the pan in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd them.
  3. Cook for about 7-10 minutes, turning the pieces occasionally, until you see fat starting to come out from the pork. You'll notice clear oil beginning to collect in the pan.
  4. Once you see enough oil in the pan, turn the heat down to its lowest setting. Cover the pan and let the pork cook slowly for about 45-50 minutes. Every 10-15 minutes, lift the lid and turn the pieces so they brown evenly.
  5. Keep cooking until the pork turns deep golden brown and the pieces have become smaller and crispier. You can test a piece - it should be crunchy outside but still juicy inside.
  6. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crispy pork to a wire rack placed over a tray. Let it rest for 5 minutes - this helps make it even crispier.
  7. Serve hot with spicy vinegar for dipping. For the vinegar dip, simply mix vinegar with chopped chilies, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  8. Keep the pork fat that's left in the pan - it's perfect for cooking other dishes!

Notes

  • Choose pork belly with layers of fat and meat for the best results
  • Don't crowd the pan - cook in batches if necessary
  • The slower you cook, the crispier the result
  • Save the rendered fat (mantika) for future cooking
  • Add whole garlic cloves during cooking for extra flavor
  • Listen for the sizzling sound to lessen before covering the pan

Nutrition Information

Calories 783kcal (39%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 80g (123%) Saturated Fat 29g (145%) Polyunsaturated Fat 9g Monounsaturated Fat 37g Cholesterol 109mg (36%) Sodium 824mg (34%) Potassium 280mg (8%) Vitamin A 17IU (0%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 10mg (1%) Iron 0.8mg (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 783

% Daily Value*

Calories 783kcal 39%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 80g 123%
Saturated Fat 29g 145%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9g 53%
Monounsaturated Fat 37g 185%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 824mg 34%
Potassium 280mg 6%
Vitamin A 17IU 0%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 0.8mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.