If you love pork belly, this Honey Garlic Roast Pork Belly Slices Recipe will become your new favorite. Imagine slices of pork belly roasted until crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender inside, glazed with a sticky, sweet-salty sauce of honey, garlic, and soy. It’s comfort food with a gourmet twist, perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or entertaining guests.
In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn not just the recipe—but also expert tips, variations, serving ideas, and everything you need to make it better than any restaurant version.
⭐ Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect balance of flavors – honey gives natural sweetness and caramelization, garlic adds depth, and soy sauce balances with umami.
- Restaurant-style crispiness at home – with simple oven-roasting techniques.
- Flexible cooking methods – works in the oven, grill, or air fryer.
- Foolproof method – step-by-step instructions, chef’s tips, and common mistakes avoided.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Pork Belly
- 800g pork belly slices – choose evenly cut strips with a good balance of fat and meat.
- Salt & black pepper – for seasoning.
For the Honey Garlic Glaze
- 3 tbsp honey – natural sweetness and sticky glaze.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced – bold flavor base.
- 3 tbsp soy sauce – umami depth and saltiness.
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) – balances sweetness with acidity.
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional) – nutty aroma.
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional) – a gentle heat kick.
🥘 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Pork Belly
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Pat pork belly slices dry with paper towels (removes moisture → ensures crispiness).
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Chef’s Tip: Scoring the skin with shallow cuts allows fat to render and skin to crisp up beautifully.
2. Roast the Pork Belly
- Place slices on a wire rack over a baking tray (so fat drips away).
- Roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- When edges start turning golden and crispy, it’s ready for glazing.
3. Make the Honey Garlic Glaze
- While pork is roasting, heat a small saucepan.
- Add honey, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and chili flakes.
- Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Glaze & Finish Roasting
- Remove pork from oven, brush generously with glaze.
- Return to oven for 10 minutes, basting once more for a sticky finish.
- Broil (grill) for the last 2–3 minutes for extra caramelization.
5. Rest & Serve
- Let pork belly rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Serve hot with extra glaze drizzled on top.
🍴 Serving Ideas
- Over steamed jasmine rice with stir-fried vegetables.
- In bao buns with pickled cucumber and sriracha mayo.
- As a BBQ dish with corn on the cob and coleslaw.
- Chopped into noodles or fried rice for a rich upgrade.
🔄 Variations to Try
- Spicy Honey Garlic – add sriracha or gochujang.
- Asian Fusion – swap soy sauce with hoisin or oyster sauce.
- Smoky BBQ Glaze – add smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
- Maple Garlic – replace honey with maple syrup for a fall-inspired flavor.
🧑🍳 Pro Tips for the Perfect Pork Belly
- Always pat dry before roasting → moisture prevents crisping.
- Use a wire rack → air circulation makes pork crispier.
- For even more flavor, marinate overnight in the honey garlic mixture before roasting.
- Use a meat thermometer: Pork is safe at 63°C (145°F), but belly tastes best closer to 75–80°C (170–176°F).
- Let it rest before slicing → juices redistribute for tender meat.
🥡 Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Best in oven/air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes.
- Freeze: Store cooked slices (without glaze) for up to 2 months. Reheat and glaze fresh.
📊 Nutrition (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 7g
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use pork shoulder instead of belly?
Yes, but it will be leaner. Belly is preferred for juiciness.
Q2: Can I cook this in an air fryer?
Absolutely. Cook at 200°C (400°F) for 18–20 minutes, glaze, then cook another 5 minutes.
Q3: How can I make it less sweet?
Reduce honey to 2 tbsp and increase soy sauce slightly.
Q4: Do I need to marinate the pork belly?
It’s optional, but marinating overnight intensifies flavor.
Q5: What sides pair best?
Steamed rice, stir-fried greens, Asian slaw, roasted potatoes, or noodles.
🏆 Final Thoughts
This Honey Garlic Roast Pork Belly Slices Recipe is crispy, juicy, and bursting with flavor—the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic. With simple ingredients and expert cooking tips, you’ll master pork belly at home and impress anyone at the table.
Whether served with rice, tucked into bao buns, or as a BBQ showstopper, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
