Tiffany Haney
Pork liempo is a Filipino dish of marinated grilled pork belly. It is derived from the Spanish term lechón, which refers to suckling pig. Liempo is typically grilled over charcoal, but it can also be cooked in an air fryer. This method is healthier, as it requires less oil, and it is also more convenient and efficient. The air fryer can cook pork belly to a crispy texture without the need for lengthy cooking times.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Pork Liempo in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marinade | Soy sauce, calamansi, ketchup, garlic, and sugar |
| Marinade Time | 30 minutes to overnight |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 370-400°F |
| Air Fryer Time | 18-25 minutes |
| Dipping Sauce | Vinegar, soy sauce, chopped onion, and brown sugar |
| Meat Quality | Skin-on, evenly marbled with fat, bright pink, fresh |
| Seasoning | Salt, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder |
| Calories | 1009-1777 kcal |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating the pork belly
Firstly, select a high-quality pork belly. Look for slabs that are evenly marbled with fat and bright pink in colour, with no signs of discoloration. It is recommended to purchase the pork belly from a butcher rather than a local grocery store, as the meat is likely to be fresher and free from preservatives. Ensure that the pork belly is not frozen, as this will affect the crispiness of the final dish.
Once you have selected your pork belly, it is time to create your marinade. A simple and popular option is to use a blend of soy sauce, calamansi, ketchup, garlic, and sugar. Combine these ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. You can also add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and chilli powder to your marinade for a spicy kick. Alternatively, onion powder, garlic powder, and barbecue sauce are also delicious options. Make sure you mix your chosen ingredients well, so that the flavours can truly develop.
After preparing your marinade, it is time to coat the pork belly. Use your hands to cover each piece of meat thoroughly with the marinade. Ensure that every piece of pork belly is generously coated before placing it in the refrigerator to marinate. The length of time you leave the pork belly to marinate will depend on your preference and how intense you want the flavour to be. It is recommended to leave the meat for at least 2-3 hours, but preferably overnight, for the best results.
Once the pork belly has finished marinating, it is time to cook it in your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer and line the basket or tray with aluminium foil. Place the marinated pork belly in a single layer and follow the cooking instructions provided by your chosen recipe. Remember to keep an eye on the meat to prevent it from burning and use a meat thermometer to check when it is cooked through.
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Air-frying the pork belly
Air-frying pork belly is a convenient and efficient way to cook pork belly, achieving a crispy texture with less oil. It is also a healthier option, reducing the fat intake of the dish.
Firstly, select a good quality pork belly. Look for slabs that are evenly marbled with fat and bright pink in colour. Fresh meat from a butcher is preferable to a local grocery store, as it is likely to be fresher and free from preservatives. Avoid frozen pork belly, as it will not crisp up in the same way.
Before air-frying, you may wish to boil the pork belly. To do this, combine the pork with water in a cooking pot and boil for 30-35 minutes. Remove the pork from the pot and allow it to cool. Once cool, rub salt all over the pork belly and let it sit for at least 10 minutes so the meat can absorb the salt.
Next, pat the pork belly dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasoning stick to the surface and give a crispier result. Season the pork belly with salt, and other seasonings such as onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chilli powder. You can also try a simple salt and egg white mixture to prevent the salt from blowing off in the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 200ºC/400ºF. Place the pork belly in the greased air fryer basket, and air fry until the skin crackles. Then, lower the temperature to 160ºC/320ºF and continue cooking until the pork is cooked through.
Once cooked, transfer the pork belly to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, slice the pork belly and serve. For bite-sized pieces, place the meat in the freezer for about 20 minutes before slicing, then air fry the pieces for 8-10 minutes, tossing the basket as they cook.
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Resting the pork belly
When the resting time is up, you can slice the pork belly and serve it. You can also choose to cook bite-sized pieces of pork belly. To do this, place the meat in the freezer for about 20 minutes before slicing. This will make it easier to cut the slab into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Then, you can air fry these pieces at 200ºC/400ºF for 8 to 10 minutes, tossing the basket a few times as they cook.
If you have any leftover pork belly, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze leftover pork belly. To do this, let the pork belly cool, wrap it in foil or plastic, and then freeze it in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. When you're ready to reheat the pork belly, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and then return it to a preheated 200°C/400°F air fryer for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Slicing the pork belly
When the time is up, transfer the pork belly to a cutting board and slice it. If you are serving the pork belly in one piece, cut it into small pieces. If you are serving bite-sized pieces, cut the slab into 1-inch cubes. If you are serving the pork belly steak-style, slice it into larger pieces.
It is important to use a sharp knife when slicing the pork belly. If you are making bite-sized pieces, you can cut the pork belly into cubes before cooking. However, if you are serving the pork belly in one piece or steak-style, you should always slice it after cooking.
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Serving the pork belly
Once your pork belly is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and place it on a chopping board. It's important to let the meat rest for a few minutes before slicing—this will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier meat.
When the time is up, slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces or thin strips. You can also leave it in larger pieces and serve it like a steak. If you want to make bite-sized pieces, a helpful tip is to place the meat in the freezer for about 20 minutes before slicing, as this will make it easier to cut.
Pork belly is often served with rice and a dipping sauce. A popular dipping sauce for liempo is made with vinegar, soy sauce, chopped onion, and a pinch of brown sugar. Other dipping sauce options include keto BBQ sauce or honey. Liempo also goes well with vegetable side dishes, such as cucumber and tomato, and pickled papaya (atchara).
Leftover pork belly can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you want to freeze it, let it cool, wrap it in foil or plastic, and then place it in a sealed bag for up to three months. To reheat, return the leftover pork belly to a preheated air fryer at 200°C/400°F for about 10 minutes, flipping the meat halfway through.
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Frequently asked questions
The best temperature to cook pork liempo in an air fryer is between 370-375°F/190-191°C.
You should cook pork liempo in an air fryer for 18-20 minutes, flipping it halfway through.
You can use a meat thermometer to check if your pork liempo is cooked. If it reaches 165°F/74°C, it is ready to be served.
Before cooking, you should marinate the pork belly for at least 2-3 hours, or ideally overnight. You can also boil the pork belly for 30-35 minutes before rubbing it with salt and letting it sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavour.
Pork liempo can be served with rice, vinegar dipping sauce, and some vegetable sides like cucumber and tomato.
