Cooking Pork Belly in the Microwave – A Quick and Juicy Solution

As a busy mom who loves cooking tasty meals for my family I’m always looking for quick and easy ways to prepare delicious pork dishes. Pork belly is one of my favorite cuts of meat – super flavorful with melt-in-your-mouth fat. But traditional braised or roasted pork belly recipes take hours. Recently I discovered that cooking pork belly in the microwave produces amazing results in a fraction of the time!

Microwaving pork belly only takes about 30-45 minutes start to finish It turns out moist, succulent meat with crispy skin on top I was skeptical at first but now I’m a total convert. In this article, I’ll share my best tips and tricks for microwave pork belly success. You’ll learn

• Why the microwave works well for pork belly
• How to choose the right cut and prep it
• Microwave power levels and cook times
• Step-by-step cooking directions
• Troubleshooting and serving ideas

Keep reading to become a microwave pork belly master!

Why Cook Pork Belly in the Microwave?

Here are some of the key benefits of microwaving vs. oven roasting pork belly:

• It’s incredibly fast – pork belly can be cooked in less than an hour in the microwave versus 2-3 hours in the oven. This makes it doable even on a weeknight.

• Very convenient – simply prep the pork belly, pop it in the microwave, and walk away. No need to preheat the oven or watch a simmering pot.

• Maintains moisture – the microwave allows the pork belly to cook quickly while keeping the meat succulent and tender.

• Adds versatility – microwaved pork belly can be used in rice bowls, ramen, sandwiches, stir fries, and more.

• Easy cleanup – unlike the splatters of oven and stovetop cooking, microwave pork belly = no mess.

While the microwave does have some limitations, it can be a handy technique for fast and tasty pork belly meals. The keys are choosing the right cut and using the proper power levels.

Selecting Good Pork Belly for the Microwave

Not all pork belly is created equal when it comes to microwaving. Here’s what to look for:

• Get it thick – at least 1 inch thickness prevents the meat from drying out. Thin slices toughen up.

• Bone-in is better – the bone adds moisture and flavor. Boneless will work but may dry out quicker.

• Check the marbling – some fat marbling is desirable but avoid huge chunks of hard fat.

• Go for skin-on – the skin crisps up deliciously. Skinless bellies will still be tender but lack crunch.

• Watch the width – wider than 5 inches can lead to uneven cooking. Long, narrow cuts are ideal.

• Confirm freshness – the pork should look pale pink and white, not yellow or grey. Sniff test for off smells.

Ask your butcher for a 1.5 pound pork belly slice that’s 1-inch thick, moderately marbled, with skin on. This size and shape microwaves beautifully.

Prepping Pork Belly for the Microwave

Before cooking, properly trimming, scoring, and seasoning the pork belly is important:

• Trim thick fat – use a sharp knife to remove any very thick sections of hard fat.

• Score the skin – make shallow crosshatch cuts about 1/2-inch apart to help render fat.

• Season generously – rub on salt, pepper, spices, soy sauce, etc. Get flavor into the meat.

• Pierce the meat – use a fork to poke holes all over to allow steam to escape while cooking.

• Air dry uncovered – chilling 8-24 hours uncovered in the fridge helps dehydrate the skin for crispiness.

Once prepped, place the pork belly on a microwave-safe dish or plate to cook.

Microwave Times and Power Levels

Cooking pork belly in the microwave is all about using the right power settings:

• High power – avoid it, except maybe 30 seconds to finish browning the skin. High heat overcooks the meat.

• 50% power – good for thin-cut pork belly around 1/2-inch thick.

• 30-40% power – best for thicker cuts 1-inch or more. Cooks the inside gently without burning the outside.

For a 1-inch thick slice, start at 50% power for 10-15 minutes. Check frequently and flip halfway through. For 1.5 inches or thicker cuts, drop the power down to 30% and increase cook time. Watch closely to prevent overcooking.

Get to know your microwave’s percentage settings. Lower power equals gentler, moister, more even cooking.

Step-by-Step Microwave Pork Belly Directions

Follow these steps for perfect microwave pork belly every time:

1. Prep the pork belly – choose a nice thick slice about 1.5 pounds, trim, score, season, and poke holes per the instructions above. Let sit uncovered in the fridge 8-24 hours.

2. Plate and microwave – place the pork belly skin-side down on a microwave-safe plate. Don’t cover it.

3. Cook on 30-40% power – for a 1-inch thick slice, microwave at 40% power for 15 minutes. Flip and cook 10 more minutes. Check for doneness.

4. Flip and continue cooking – pork should be fork tender. If not, keep cooking in 3-5 minute bursts, flipping occasionally, until done.

5. Crisp the skin – if the skin isn’t crispy, cook skin-up on high 30-60 seconds. Watch closely to avoid burning.

6. Let rest before eating – let the pork belly sit for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to settle.

When microwaved properly, you’ll get succulent, flavorful meat capped with crispy crackling. Be patient and stick to lower power levels.

Troubleshooting Microwave Pork Belly

It may take some trial and error to master microwave pork belly. Here are some common issues and fixes:

• Tough, chewy meat – use lower power and cook longer, checking earlier and more frequently. Meat keeps cooking slightly after removing from microwave.

• Uneven cooking – rotate the dish during cooking. Cover overcooked edges with foil. Adjust power levels and cook time.

• No crispy skin – ensure skin is scored before cooking. Finish on high power for 30-60 seconds. Broil or pan fry after microwaving if still soft.

• Off flavors – use a very clean microwave, skip plastic containers, and watch for meat spoilage. Rancid pork smells bad.

Don’t give up if your first try isn’t perfect! With practice, you’ll nail microwave pork belly in no time.

Fun Ways to Use Microwaved Pork Belly

Now that you can quickly cook pork belly in the microwave, here are some easy meal ideas:

• Ramen bowls with soft boiled egg
• Lettuce wraps with hoisin and fresh herbs
• Tacos with microwaved pork belly, onion, cilantro
• Fried rice with pork belly, shrimp, and vegetables
• Eggs Benedict with pork belly instead of ham
• Stir fry with bok choy, carrots, and pork belly
• Sandwiches with slaw and bbq or hoisin sauce
• Roasted pork belly porchetta style

The possibilities are endless! Microwave pork belly adds tasty, protein-packed goodness to so many quick recipes.

Moist and Tender Microwaved Pork Belly

As you can see, cooking pork belly in the microwave is absolutely doable with the right cut, preparation, and technique. Choosing a properly thick slice, thoroughly drying the skin, using lower power levels, and cooking in short bursts are the secrets to success.