What To Know
- Place the pork belly on a roasting rack, and roast it for 30-45 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the meat is cooked through.
- Add the pork belly to the skillet, and fry it for 5-7 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown and cooked through.
- Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper, and then place it on a roasting rack in a roasting pan.
Pork belly and pork shoulder are two of the most popular cuts of pork, but they’re often used for very different dishes. Pork belly is known for its rich, fatty flavor, while pork shoulder is a leaner cut that’s perfect for slow-cooking. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at each cut, and we’ll help you decide which one is right for your next meal.
What is Pork Belly?
Pork belly is the fatty underside of the pig. It’s a relatively thin cut, and it’s often sold with the skin on. Pork belly is known for its rich, porky flavor, and it’s often used in dishes like bacon, pancetta, and guanciale.
What is Pork Shoulder?
Pork shoulder is the upper part of the pig’s front leg. It’s a larger cut than pork belly, and it’s often sold with the bone in. Pork shoulder is a leaner cut of meat than pork belly, but it’s still very flavorful. It’s often used in dishes like pulled pork, carnitas, and barbacoa.
Pork Belly vs Pork Shoulder: Which Cut is Right for You?
The best way to decide which cut of pork is right for you is to consider the dish you’re making. If you’re looking for a fatty, flavorful cut of meat, then pork belly is a good choice. If you’re looking for a leaner cut of meat that’s perfect for slow-cooking, then pork shoulder is a good choice.
How to Cook Pork Belly
Pork belly can be cooked in a variety of ways, but the most popular methods are roasting, braising, and frying.
- Roasting: Roasting pork belly is a great way to get a crispy skin and tender meat. To roast pork belly, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Score the skin of the pork belly, and then rub it with salt and pepper. Place the pork belly on a roasting rack, and roast it for 30-45 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the meat is cooked through.
- Braising: Braising pork belly is a great way to get a tender, fall-off-the-bone cut of meat. To braise pork belly, brown it in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add some onions, garlic, and carrots to the pot, and then cover the pork belly with chicken broth. Bring the broth to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the pork belly for 2-3 hours, or until it is tender.
- Frying: Frying pork belly is a great way to get a crispy, flavorful cut of meat. To fry pork belly, cut it into 1-inch cubes. Season the pork belly with salt and pepper, and then dredge it in flour. Heat some oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pork belly to the skillet, and fry it for 5-7 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown and cooked through.
How to Cook Pork Shoulder
Pork shoulder can also be cooked in a variety of ways, but the most popular methods are roasting, braising, and smoking.
- Roasting: Roasting pork shoulder is a great way to get a tender, juicy cut of meat. To roast pork shoulder, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper, and then place it on a roasting rack in a roasting pan. Roast the pork shoulder for 4-5 hours, or until it is cooked through.
- Braising: Braising pork shoulder is a great way to get a tender, fall-off-the-bone cut of meat. To braise pork shoulder, brown it in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add some onions, garlic, and carrots to the pot, and then cover the pork shoulder with chicken broth. Bring the broth to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the pork shoulder for 2-3 hours, or until it is tender.
- Smoking: Smoking pork shoulder is a great way to get a flavorful, juicy cut of meat. To smoke pork shoulder, preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper, and then place it on the smoker. Smoke the pork shoulder for 6-8 hours, or until it is cooked through.
Which Cut of Pork is Healthier?
Pork belly and pork shoulder are both relatively high in fat, but pork shoulder is the leaner cut. Pork belly contains about 30 grams of fat per 100 grams of meat, while pork shoulder contains about 20 grams of fat per 100 grams of meat. Pork shoulder is also a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Recommendations: Pork Belly vs Pork Shoulder
Pork belly and pork shoulder are both delicious and versatile cuts of meat. Pork belly is best for dishes where you want a fatty, flavorful cut of meat, while pork shoulder is best for dishes where you want a leaner cut of meat that’s perfect for slow-cooking. No matter which cut you choose, you’re sure to enjoy a delicious meal.
Popular Questions
Q: What is the difference between pork belly and bacon?
A: Pork belly is the fatty underside of the pig, while bacon is made from pork belly that has been cured and smoked.
Q: What is the difference between pork shoulder and pulled pork?
A: Pork shoulder is the upper part of the pig’s front leg, while pulled pork is made from pork shoulder that has been slow-cooked until it is tender and can be easily pulled apart.
Q: What is the best way to cook pork belly?
A: The best way to cook pork belly is to roast it, braise it, or fry it.
Q: What is the best way to cook pork shoulder?
A: The best way to cook pork shoulder is to roast it, braise it, or smoke it.
Q: Which cut of pork is healthier?
A: Pork shoulder is the leaner cut of pork.
