Pork Belly's Cheesy Affair: Best Cheese Pairings

Pork belly is a versatile meat that can be roasted, braised, or fried, and is often served as bite-sized appetizers or used in sandwiches. When it comes to cheese, pulled pork grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular choice, with some opting for mature cheddar and creamy mozzarella between two slices of ciabatta or sourdough bread. For a more adult version, you can try a sandwich with pork belly and cheese grilled to perfection. If you're looking for a more indulgent option, cheddar cheese is a good match for pork, especially when paired with pulled pork in a grilled cheese sandwich. For those who prefer their sandwiches with a kick of flavour, blue cheese is a good option to consider.

Pulled pork grilled cheese sandwiches

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 pound pulled pork
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 4 slices of bread (brioche, sourdough, pumpernickel, white, or whole wheat)
• 2 slices of cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, American, or a combination)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• Crispy fried onions (optional)

Method

• Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant.
• Toss in the pulled pork and BBQ sauce, mixing until fully combined. Cook until heated through.
• Layer the sandwich: spread mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. On one slice, add sliced cheese, followed by the pulled pork mixture, and top with another slice of cheese. Place the second slice of bread on top, with the mayonnaise side facing inwards.
• Heat another large skillet over medium-low heat.
• Place the sandwich in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
• Serve and enjoy!

Tips

• For an extra crunch, add crispy fried onions to the sandwich.
• You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or American cheese.
• If you're feeling adventurous, try adding sliced pickles, pickled jalapeños, or banana peppers for an extra kick.
• Don't be shy with the butter or mayonnaise when grilling the sandwich—it adds richness and tang, and helps the bread achieve a perfect golden brown colour.

Pork belly tacos

Ingredients

• 1 lb pork belly, sliced into 1/2-inch strips
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 8 small tortillas, warmed
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• Taco sauce, limes, and cilantro, to serve

Optional Toppings

• Pickled red onions
• Sliced jalapeños
• Avocado
• Salsa
• Cotija cheese
• Hot sauce

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Slice the pork belly into 1/2-inch strips and sprinkle with taco seasoning, brown sugar, and sea salt.
• Lay the pork belly strips on the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
• Turn the strips over and bake for another 20-30 minutes, until browned and crispy.
• Assemble the tacos by layering a warm tortilla with cooked pork belly, cabbage, cilantro, and a drizzle of taco sauce.
• For extra citrus flavour, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Variations

• Korean pork belly tacos: season the pork belly with gochujang paste for a smoky, sweet, and spicy flavour.
• Citrus kick: add some lemon or lime zest to the pork belly seasoning.
• Lower carb: use lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a low-carb, lettuce wrap option.
• Topping variations: add pickled red onions, sliced avocado or guacamole, or corn salsa.
• Sauce swap: swap the taco sauce for chimichurri or creamy avocado sauce.

Pork belly salad

Ingredients

• 1kg piece boneless pork belly with skin, scored at 1cm intervals all over
• 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 small Lebanese cucumber, stripe-peeled, thinly sliced
• 1 long red chilli, seeds removed, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup coriander leaves
• 1/4 cup Thai basil leaves
• 2 tbsp chopped salted peanuts
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• Fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, to taste

Method

• Preheat the oven to 200C.
• Dry the pork skin with a paper towel, then rub it with the sea salt.
• Place the pork skin-side up on a rack in a deep roasting pan, then pour in enough boiling water to come just below the rack.
• Roast for 2 hours, topping up the water as necessary, until the skin is crisp and the pork is tender.
• Allow the pork to cool, then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
• Combine the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar in a large bowl, whisking to dissolve the sugar.
• Add the pork, spring onion, cucumber, chilli, coriander, and Thai basil to the bowl of dressing and gently toss to combine.
• Divide the salad among plates, then scatter with peanuts and serve.

Cheese Pairing Ideas

If you're looking to add a cheesy element to this salad, you could consider pan-frying some slices of mozzarella or cheddar to serve on top of the salad. Alternatively, you could make a blue cheese dressing to drizzle over the salad. For a more subtle cheese flavour, you could sprinkle some grated parmesan over the dish just before serving.

Pork belly sandwiches

Ingredients

• Pork belly
• Bread (ciabatta, sourdough, country loaf, boule, ciabatta, or homemade)
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, blue cheese, Gruyere, Havarti, Parmesan, or Fontina)
• Butter or mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper
• BBQ sauce
• Tomato
• Lettuce
• Avocado
• Chimichurri sauce

Optional Ingredients

• Fried green tomatoes
• Crispy fried onion
• Sun-dried tomato paste
• Garlic
• Onion
• Olive oil
• White wine
• Cream
• Breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Broccoli rabe
• Provolone
• Pickles
• Slaw
• Relish

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pork Belly

Slice the pork belly into strips and crisp them up in a skillet. Alternatively, place the pork belly on a wire rack positioned on a foil-lined baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10 minutes. Turn the slices over and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the strips are golden brown and crispy.

Step 2: Prepare the Bread

Toast your chosen bread. If using ciabatta, slather with sun-dried tomato mayonnaise.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheese

If using cheddar and mozzarella, grate the cheese.

Step 4: Assemble the Sandwich

Add the pork belly, cheese, and any other chosen fillings to the bread. If using butter or mayonnaise, spread it on the outside of the bread.

Step 5: Toast the Sandwich

Place the sandwich in a pan over low heat to toast the bread and melt the cheese.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the sandwich with french fries, coleslaw, salad, olives, or pickles.

Pork belly with mac and cheese

Pork belly is a versatile meat that pairs well with various dishes, and one of the most popular pairings is with mac and cheese. This combination creates a delicious and indulgent meal that is sure to satisfy any comfort food craving. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating this mouthwatering dish.

Ingredients

For the pork belly:

• 1 pound pork belly, sliced into 1-inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the mac and cheese:

• 1 pound macaroni
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pork Belly

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Season the pork belly cubes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Sear the pork belly cubes on all sides until golden brown.
• Transfer the seared pork belly to a baking dish and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

• In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add flour and whisk until a paste forms.
• Slowly whisk in milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
• Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted and well combined.
• Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Cook the Macaroni

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add macaroni and cook until al dente, according to package instructions.
• Drain the macaroni and return it to the pot.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

• Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and stir until well combined.
• Transfer the mac and cheese to a baking dish.
• Top with the prepared pork belly cubes.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the pork belly is crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this indulgent dish with a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp salad to balance out the richness of the dish. For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle some shredded cheese on top of the mac and cheese before baking. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions