Do They Sell Pork Belly at Walmart? Here’s the Lowdown

Pork belly has become a trendy cut of meat in recent years, coveted for making bacon, soups, and Asian dishes. With its rich marbling and melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked properly, it’s easy to see why cooks seek it out. But can you grab pork belly at the ubiquitous one-stop shop Walmart? Let’s find out.

The Availability of Pork Belly at Walmart

Walmart carries a wide array of pork products, but fresh pork belly has not typically been one of them. Most Walmart locations don’t have pork belly regularly stocked in the fresh meat case.

However, some shoppers have reported spotting it on occasion at their local stores. It seems to pop up sporadically during certain times of year when supply or demand changes. Some reason why pork belly makes limited appearances:

• Seasonal demand – Pork belly is popular for certain holidays and events, leading to small supply boosts For example, around Thanksgiving and Christmas when people cook roast pork belly

• Regional availability – Certain regional Walmarts may carry it based on local supply and preferences. More specialty cuts like pork belly are likely at some urban stores.

• Inventory fluctuations – Walmart may get surplus pork belly shipments if producers and distributors have extra supply to offload,

So while not a standard option, keep an eye out and you may get lucky! Asking the butchers is also worth a try.

Alternatives for Finding Pork Belly

Because Walmart doesn’t reliably stock fresh pork belly here are some other options for procuring this coveted cut

• Asian markets – Asian grocery stores frequently sell pork belly given its popularity in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisines. Check the freezer or meat cases.

• Hispanic markets – Mexican and Latin American markets also often carry pork belly for dishes like carnitas.

• Specialty butchers – Local butcher shops or meat markets will have better pork variety than Walmart. Pork belly can be custom ordered.

• Online – Direct online ordering from specialty meat companies provides access. Search for reputable purveyors offering overnight shipping.

• Farmers markets – Ask any pig or pork vendors at local markets if they have belly for sale. Some may save it for customer requests.

• Order ahead at Walmart – You can request pork belly through Walmart’s Special Order program if a store doesn’t stock it. Allow 2-3 days.

How to Choose Quality Pork Belly

Not all pork bellies are created equal. Here are tips for picking the best:

• Lean meat – Look for mostly lean meat with minimal fat cap. Thick, hard white fat means an older animal. Avoid that.

• Skin – Skin should be thin and translucent, not thick and opaque. Thinner skin cooks up crisper.

• Weight – Estimate about 0.5-1 lb per person. Estimate high for bone-in belly. Plan 1.5 lbs per person if making bacon.

• Color – Fresh pork belly is purplish-pink. Pale meat indicates older pork. Avoid any brown or gray spots.

• Smell – Raw pork belly should have very little odor. Strong odors mean spoilage.

Following these guidelines helps ensure your pork belly will taste amazing when cooked.

How to Store Pork Belly Properly

Once home with your precious pork belly, proper storage preserves freshness and quality. Follow these tips:

• Immediately store in the fridge in the coldest area, 35-40°F. Place on a rimmed plate to catch drips.

• If bought frozen, thaw in the refrigerator, allowing 12-24 hours. Don’t thaw at room temp.

• Once thawed, use within 3-5 days. Pork belly doesn’t keep as long as other cuts.

• For longer storage, rewrap tightly in airtight freezer packaging. Frozen, it will keep 6 months.

• If curing for bacon, follow exact recipe directions for combining cure and storing the belly.

Proper chilling and freezing keeps the fat from oxidizing and the meat from spoiling during storage.

Common Ways to Cook Pork Belly

The versatility of pork belly makes it a stellar addition to various cuisines. Here are some top cooking methods:

• Bacon – Cured and smoked pork belly makes incredible thick-cut bacon.

• Char siu – Chinese roast pork swimmers in a sweet barbecue glaze.

• Chashu – Japanese braised and rolled pork belly, often for ramen.

• Carnitas – Mexican braised and crisped pork belly tacos.

• Kakuni – Japanese braised pork belly cubes caramelized in its fat.

• Soups – Simmer pork belly in bean, kimchi, miso, pho, or ramen broth.

• Roasted – Slow roasted pork belly becomes meltingly tender.

• Grilled – Quick grilling gives great crispy edges to balance the rich meat.

From crispy to braised to smoked, pork belly is endlessly versatile. Walmart may not have it reliably in stock, but seeking it out from other sources rewards home chefs with an amazing ingredient.