Go Back
+ servings
Lechon Belly
Print Recipe
5 from 17 votes

Lechon Belly

Have a feast on this Lechon Belly Roll with skin so crispy and meat so tender and juicy. Made flavorful with simple herbs and spices like lemongrass, green onions, garlic and chili.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: lechon belly
Servings: 10
Calories: 837kcal
Author: Bebs

Ingredients

  • 3.5 pounds pork belly - about 1 ½ inch thick
  • 1 head garlic - chopped
  • 5-6 stalks green onions - roots trimmed and then bundled
  • 4-5 stalks lemongrass - bundled
  • 4 pieces green chili peppers - or Thai chili if you like it more spicy
  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • ¼-1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lye water
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions

  • Lay the pork belly with the skin-side up. Poke several shallow holes using a fork or the tip of a knife. Turn it around and do the same with the meat side, this time only bit deeper but without going through the skin.
  • Season the meat side with ground pepper and fish sauce. Transfer the meat with the skin-side up on a pan. Rub the salt all over the skin to draw the moisture out. Refrigerate the pork uncovered for at least 3 hours.
  • Remove the salt and moisture from the skin using a kitchen or paper towel.
  • Turn the pork belly meat-side up on a dry surface. Arrange the chopped garlic, green onions, lemongrass and chili on top of the meat. Roll the meat to encapsulating the fillings inside. Secure the roll by tying it with kitchen twine at 2-inch intervals. Place it in a roasting pan with rack.
  • Brush the skin with lye water and refrigerate for another 1-2 hours (or overnight). Take it out of the fridge and brush with vinegar then soy sauce. Let it dry out in the fridge or in front of a fan for a few minutes.
  • Roast in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F for 2 hours then increase the temperature to 200°C/400°F and roast for another 30 minutes to an hour or until skin becomes crispy. (SEE NOTE)

Nutrition

Calories: 837kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 84g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 1833mg | Potassium: 379mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 2.8mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1.5mg