Pork Belly's Cheesy Affair: Best Cheese Pairings

Pork belly is an incredibly rich and savoury dish, with juicy, ultra-tender, crispy bites of meat that are often marinated in a savoury sauce or dipped in BBQ. It is like the candy of meat—all the goodness of bacon, but on another level. You can serve pork belly in bite-sized pieces as an appetizer, or roast, braise, or fry it for the main entrée.

But what kind of cheese goes well with pork belly? Cheddar, mozzarella, and blue cheese are all excellent choices. If you're making a pulled pork sandwich, a combination of mozzarella and cheddar is a great option. For tenderloin, blue cheese sauce is a perfect pairing. And if you're looking for a classic, comforting dish, you can't go wrong with mozzarella pork chops.

Pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients

• Bread (sourdough, brioche, ciabatta, or white sandwich bread)
• Butter or mayonnaise
• Leftover pulled pork
• Cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or a combination)
• BBQ sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Pickles (optional)

Method

First, spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. You can also add a sprinkle of black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for extra flavour.

Generously top one slice of bread with shredded mozzarella cheese. Then, layer on lots of pulled pork, a drizzle of BBQ sauce, and more cheese.

Place the other slice of bread on top, with the buttered/mayo side facing inward. Spread some butter or mayonnaise on the top of the sandwich.

Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-low to medium heat. Place the sandwich in the skillet, buttered/mayo side down, and cook for about 3-5 minutes. Spread the remaining butter/mayo on top of the sandwich, then flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the sandwich is golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the cheese has melted.

Tips

• For extra tang, add sliced pickles, pickled jalapeños, or banana peppers to your sandwich.
• If you want your sandwich extra cheesy, add more cheese!
• If you're making this sandwich for a crowd, you can keep the pulled pork warm in a slow cooker and let your guests assemble their own sandwiches.

Pork belly tacos

Ingredients

• 1 lb pork belly
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 8 small tortillas
• 2 cups shredded red or green cabbage
• Taco sauce, limes, and cilantro (to serve)
• Oaxaca or low-moisture mozzarella cheese

Optional Ingredients

• Habanero salsa
• Jalapeños
• Avocado or guacamole
• Sour cream or Mexican crema
• Cotija cheese or queso fresco
• Pickled red onions
• Corn salsa
• Chimichurri
• Avocado sauce

Method

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 slices onto the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Turn the slices over and bake for another 20-30 minutes, until the pork belly is browned and crispy.

While the pork is cooking, prepare the toppings and warm the tortillas. To assemble the tacos, lay a warm tortilla on a plate and top with a slice of pork belly, some cabbage, cilantro, and a drizzle of taco sauce.

Variations

Korean Pork Belly Tacos

Use gochujang paste for seasoning instead of taco seasoning for a smoky, slightly sweet, and spicier flavor.

Citrus Kick

Add some lemon or lime zest to the pork belly seasoning to brighten up the flavor.

Lower Carb

Use lettuce leaves instead of tortillas for a lower-carb option.

Topping Variations

Add pickled red onions, sliced avocado or guacamole, corn salsa, or cotija cheese.

Sauce Swap

Swap the taco sauce for chimichurri, avocado sauce, or a combination of both.

Tips

• If using pre-sliced pork belly, check it after 30 minutes as it may be thinner and cook faster.
• For crispy edges when reheating the pork belly, don't overcook it. Just warm it through and crisp up the edges.
• Make the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate to save time and allow the flavors to meld.
• For an extra kick, add jalapeños or a spicy sauce.
• For a sweet element, add diced mango or pineapple salsa.
• For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce.

Serving Suggestions

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

Method

Preheat the oven to 200C. Dry the pork skin with paper towels, then rub with 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 needed, until the skin is crisp and the pork is tender. Allow to cool, then cut into bite-sized pieces.

In a large bowl, combine the fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar, 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 Suggestions

While the above recipe does not include cheese, cheese can be a great addition to a pork belly salad. Here are some cheese suggestions that could be added or used as inspiration:

• Cheddar: Try adding some sharp cheddar cheese slices or shreds to the salad for a tangy and savoury flavour.
• Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella balls or shreds could be a milder, creamy option to balance the flavours in the salad.
• Blue Cheese: For a stronger flavour profile, consider adding some crumbled blue cheese to the salad.

These cheeses could also be used in other pork belly dishes, such as grilled cheese sandwiches or pork belly medallions. Experiment and adjust to your taste preferences!

Pork belly sandwich

Ingredients

• Pork belly
• Bread (sourdough, baguette, or homemade)
• Mayonnaise
• Chimichurri sauce (optional)
• Lettuce
• Tomato
• Salt and pepper
• Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or blue cheese)
• Other vegetables (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the pork belly

• Preheat the oven to 500°F and place a wire rack on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Put the pork belly on the wire rack and roast for 10 minutes.
• Turn the slices over and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.

Step 2: Prepare the bread and vegetables

• While the pork belly is cooking, slice the bread and tomatoes.
• Toast the bread once you remove the pork belly from the oven.
• Wash and dry the lettuce.
• Slice or chop any other vegetables you wish to include, such as avocado, cucumber, or pickled carrots and daikon.

Step 3: Assemble the sandwich

• Spread mayonnaise and/or chimichurri sauce on the bread.
• Add lettuce, tomato, and any other vegetables to the sandwich.
• Place the crispy pork belly on top.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add another dollop of spread to the top piece of bread and place it on the sandwich.

Step 4: Serve

• Cut the sandwich in half and serve immediately.
• Enjoy your delicious pork belly sandwich!

Variations

You can also try different types of cheese with your pork belly sandwich, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or blue cheese. For a grilled cheese sandwich, melt the cheese on the bread before adding the other ingredients. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make a pulled pork grilled cheese sandwich by shredding the pork belly and mixing it with barbecue sauce.

Pork belly with mac and cheese

Pork belly is a versatile meat that pairs well with various dishes, and one of the most complementary pairings is mac and cheese. This combination creates a flavourful and indulgent meal that is sure to impress. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating this delicious dish.

Ingredients

For the pork belly:

• Pork belly, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and pepper, for seasoning
• Oil, for frying

For the mac and cheese:

• Macaroni
• Cheddar cheese, grated
• Mozzarella cheese, grated
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pork Belly

Season the pork belly pieces generously with salt and pepper. Heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the pork belly pieces to the pan and fry until crispy and golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Sauce

In a separate saucepan, melt a knob of butter over medium heat. Add an equal amount of flour to the melted butter and whisk to form a paste. Slowly add milk to the mixture, whisking continuously, until you have a smooth and creamy sauce. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the macaroni. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large bowl, mix together the cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and grated cheddar cheese. Stir well to combine. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and top with the fried pork belly pieces. Sprinkle over the grated mozzarella cheese.

Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Serve

Remove the pork belly mac and cheese from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy as a hearty and indulgent main course.

Tips and Variations

• Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese for the sauce and topping, such as Gruyere, Fontina, or Raclette.
• For an extra crispy topping, place the dish under the grill for a few minutes to brown the cheese.
• If you prefer a healthier option, you can bake or roast the pork belly instead of frying it.
• To add some extra flavour to the mac and cheese, try adding some chopped green onions, garlic, or mustard to the cheese sauce.

Frequently asked questions