High Protein Lechon Belly

Elevate your culinary experience with this High Protein Lechon Belly—a show-stopping dish that combines succulent, tender pork belly with bold, aromatic flavors. Infused with a savory marinade of garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, lemongrass, and red chilies, this recipe takes the classic Filipino lechon belly to the next level, delivering a mouthwatering balance of spice, herbaceous notes, and umami richness. Perfectly slow-roasted to achieve melt-in-your-mouth meat and irresistibly crispy skin, this high-protein centerpiece is ideal for family feasts or festive gatherings. With a hands-on prep time of just 60 minutes and the option to marinate overnight for maximum flavor, this recipe is surprisingly effortless yet utterly impressive. Serve it alongside steamed rice and your favorite dipping sauce to create a hearty, unforgettable meal that’s sure to wow your guests.

Nutriscore Rating: 45/100

Prep Time:60 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:240 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 kg pork belly
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 sprigs rosemary, fresh
• 3 sprigs thyme, fresh
• 2 stalks lemongrass, chopped
• 3 red chilies, chopped
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 stalks spring onions, chopped
• 2 tbsp fish sauce

Directions

Step 1

Lay the pork belly flat on a clean surface, skin side down. Use a sharp knife to make shallow cuts on the meat side to allow the flavors to penetrate.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, thyme, lemongrass, red chilies, salt, black pepper, soy sauce, olive oil, chopped spring onions, and fish sauce. Mix well to form a marinade.

Step 3

Rub the marinade generously onto the meat side of the pork belly, ensuring all cuts are covered. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Remove the pork belly from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Step 5

Roll the pork belly tightly, skin side out, and secure it with butcher's twine or skewers at 2-inch intervals to maintain shape during cooking.

Step 6

Place the rolled and tied pork belly on a rack in a roasting pan to allow air to circulate all around. Roast in the preheated oven for about 2.5 hours.

Step 7

Increase the oven temperature to 220°C (430°F) and continue roasting for another 30 minutes or until the skin is crispy and golden brown.

Step 8

Remove from the oven and let the lechon belly rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve with your choice of dipping sauce and steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2469.9 grams (2469.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	10901

Total Fat 1090.50g	1398%
Saturated Fat 391.00g	1955%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 1440mg	480%
Sodium 12825mg	558%
Total Carbohydrate 61.70g	22%
Dietary Fiber 11.40g	41%
Total Sugars 10.30g
Protein 200.90g	402%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 435mg	33%
Iron 22mg	124%
Potassium 4950mg	105%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 90.3%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 2.3%