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Ultimate Crispy Filipino Lechon Kawali

groups4 servingsspeedMediumcountertopsPrep: 1440 minsskilletCook: 110 minsscheduleTotal: 1550 minsoutdoor_grillDeep-friedlocal_fire_departmentMild
Allergens:warningSoy

Allergen labels are AI-generated and may be incomplete or wrong. If you have a food allergy, always verify every ingredient yourself.

Recipe details are AI-generated from the video and may contain errors — for reference only.

skilletInstruction

5 Steps Total

schedulePrepare in advance

  • circlePork belly needs to be air-dried and refrigerated in advance for 24 hours.24h
01
Preparation
00:00:39

Place 1 kg pork belly on a cutting board, and poke the skin thoroughly with a meat pocker tool to open up the pores, ensuring oil can penetrate the fat during frying.

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Watch out

Poking the skin too deeply into the meat will cause juices to leak out and make the pork dry during frying.

Ingredients:pork belly
Tools:meat pockercutting board
02
Active Cooking
00:01:15
warningStay safe

Hot boiling broth may splash when removing the heavy pork pieces; lift them steadily with tongs.

Fill a large pot with 2 l water, and bring it to a boil. Add 8 cloves garlic, 1 halved onion, 3 bay leaves, 3 sage leaves, 20 whole black peppercorns, 2 tbsp salt, and 1 tbsp fish sauce. Once boiling, add 1 kg pork belly, and braise for 1 hr 30 mins until the knife cuts all the way through easily and the meat is extremely tender.

local_fire_departmentMedium-high heat, 1 hour 30 minutes
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Watch out

Do not let the boiling liquid dry out completely during the long braising time, otherwise the meat will burn on the bottom.

Ingredients:water (2 l)Garlic (8 clove)Onion (1 piece)bay leaves (3 piece)sage leaves (3 piece)whole black peppercorns (20 piece)Salt (2 tbsp)fish sauce (1 tbsp)pork belly (1 kg)
Tools:pottongs
03
Waiting Time
00:01:57

Pat the boiled pork skin dry with a paper towel to remove excess liquid and moisture. Season the skin generously with 3 tbsp salt to make the skin drier, and refrigerate for 24 hours or overnight until the skin is completely dry and firm to the touch.

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Watch out

Do not skip wiping the skin completely dry before adding salt, otherwise the salt will dissolve and fail to dry out the skin properly.

Ingredients:pork bellySalt (3 tbsp)
Tools:wire rackpaper towel
04
Active Cooking
00:02:31
warningStay safe

Hot oil will splatter violently when moist or cold meat is dropped in; lower the pork gently away from your body and use a splash guard if needed.

Heat 1 l cooking oil in a wok to 365 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower the chilled pork belly slabs skin-side down into the hot oil, and deep fry for 10 mins until the skin becomes hard, crispy, and deep golden brown.

local_fire_departmentMedium-high heat (365°F), 10 minutes
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Watch out

Do not crowd the wok with too many pieces at once, otherwise the oil temperature will drop and the skin will turn soggy instead of crispy.

Ingredients:Cooking oil (1 l)pork belly (1 kg)
Tools:woktongs
05
Preparation
00:03:18

In a glass mixing bowl, combine 0.5 cup apple cider vinegar, 0.5 cup coconut vinegar, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp black peppercorns, 1 tsp salt, and 2 sliced Thai chilis, and mix them together to create the spiced dipping sauce.

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Watch out

Do not add too many Thai chilis at once if serving guests with low spice tolerance, otherwise the dipping sauce will become overwhelmingly hot.

Ingredients:apple cider vinegar (0.5 cup)coconut vinegar (0.5 cup)Garlic (3 clove)whole black peppercorns (1 piece)Salt (1 tbsp)Thai chili (2 piece)
Tools:glass bowl

groceryAll Ingredients

pork belly1 kg
water2 l
Garlic11 clove
Onion1 piece
bay leaves3 piece
sage leaves3 piece
whole black peppercorns21 piece
Salt5 tbsp
fish sauce1 tbsp
Cooking oil1 l
apple cider vinegar0.5 cup
coconut vinegar0.5 cup
Thai chili2 piece

blenderAll Tools Needed

meat pockercutting boardpottongswire rackpaper towelwokglass bowl