Thanks to my friends at Adaptable, I have an amazing holiday appetizer that will wow all your guests. It’s a Crispy Pork Belly with Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread and Hot Honey! The pork belly is so tender with a crispy outside layer. Placed on moist and zesty cornbread with a drizzle of hot honey for a delectable combination.
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious appetizer for your next holiday party, your search is over!
This Pork Belly with Jalapeno Cornbread and Hot Honey recipe is so tasty and will make you look like a culinary superstar to all your guests.
If you’re not familiar with pork belly, it’s basically a fatty piece of meat that is often used to make bacon and pancetta.
You can also slow roast it like we did today to create a flavorful and tender pork covered with delicious crispiness.
Let me break it down for you…
What is pork belly?
Pork belly is a fatty, boneless cut of meat that comes from the belly of the pig. When it’s left whole, it looks like a brick of meat with a thick layer of fat running along the top, and smaller layers of fat marbled throughout.
Its most popular use is for everyone’s favorite savory treat – BACON!
Another really popular application for this amazingness is pancetta – essentially the Italian version of bacon.
This crispy pork yumminess has really become quite the popular food trend, so you’ll be all kinds of foodie famous when you serve this up to your friends and family during the holidays.
AND thanks to our friends at AdapTable Meals, it’s readily available this time of year… seasoned and prepackaged, with ZERO artificial ingredients, waiting for you to create your own deliciousness and be the holiday hostess superstar that you are.
I used two different flavors of their pork bellies for today’s recipe… Smokey Applewood Boneless Pork Belly and Brown Sugar Boneless Pork Belly.
They are full of flavor and soo good!
If you haven't tried AdapTable Meals products yet, then you’re overdue. I’m literally trying different cuts of deliciously seasoned beef and pork every week, and my family is beyond excited.
Their products are a win/win for everyone… they are already seasoned to perfection and ready for the heat. So no need to take the time to marinate or add a rub, literally just cook and serve.
And they always come out tender, juicy and so tasty.
But don’t take my word for it, head over to AdapTable Meals and check out all the different items they offer.
And you can find AdapTable Meals products in the meat department of your local grocery store.
If I haven’t conveyed it yet – the taste of this pork belly is really something special.
What does pork belly taste like?
It's salty, it's meaty, and it's hearty. It has an incredibly rich flavor due to the thick layer of fat that runs along the top. It can be cured and smoked, and it's packed with the crave-worthy umami flavor just like bacon… but even better.
And I think knowing how to cook it is essential.
How do I cook pork belly?
Pork belly does quite well when cooked low and slow. The connective tissue in the meat will break down slowly, allowing the fat to render out and the meat to become fork-tender.
For best results, cook on a wire rack over a baking sheet on a low temperature (like 300 degrees) for 1-2 hours until the pork reaches an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F and the meat pulls apart.
It’s sooo yummy! And the perfect savory and hearty element for this special appetizer… Crispy Pork Belly with Jalapeno Cornbread and Hot Honey.
Here’s how it all comes together…
First, make your hot honey…
Place all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Stir to combine and heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Turn down and simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Now for the Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread…
Mix together all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Then add the egg, melted butter and milk to a bowl and stir until combined.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir together until just combined.
Now fold in your jalapeno, green onions and cheddar cheese.
Add canola oil to your baking dish and let it heat in the oven for 5 minutes. Pull it out and pour your cornbread batter into it.
Bake for 20 minutes on 400 degrees.
Meanwhile prep your Adaptable Meals pork belly. Turn your oven down to 300 degrees.
Use a large baking sheet, line it with foil and place a wire rack over the top.
Add your sliced pork belly and cook for 75 minutes. To make the fat even more crispy, turn your oven to broil and roast for 2 more minutes.
Now it’s time to assemble…
Cut your cornbread into 2x2 inch pieces, then cut each one in half height wise so they are shorter pieces.
Slice your pork belly to fit your cornbread. Put a toothpick through the middle, drizzle with hot honey and enjoy!
These yummy pork belly appetizers are salty and sweet, hearty and tender and perfect for your next get-together.
How do I store pork belly?
Uncooked pork belly that is wrapped tightly or stored in an airtight container (like a zip top bag) can be stored in the refrigerator for about three to five days or in the freezer for up to six months.
Leftovers should also be stored in an airtight container, well-sealed in the refrigerator overnight for up to two days.
Crispy Pork Belly with Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread and Hot Honey
This pork belly is so tender with a crispy outside layer. Placed on moist and zesty cornbread with a drizzle of hot honey for a delectable combination.
Ingredients
For The Pork Bellies:
- 2 pounds Adaptable Meals Boneless Pork Bellies (Smokey Applewood or Brown Sugar)
- Cooking spray
For The Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread:
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2.5 cups milk
- 3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 12 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar, divided
- ½ cup chopped green onions (about 6 green onions)
- ½ cup fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
- ¼ cup canola oil to grease the pan
For The Hot Honey:
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
For The Pork Bellies:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Cook 1 hour 15 minutes. Then broil for 2 minutes to make it extra crispy.
- Remove from the oven and allow the pork belly to rest for 3 minutes.
- Cut the strips into 2-inch pieces and toss with ⅓ cup of the hot honey.
For The Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and butter. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until most of the lumps are dissolved. Do not overmix.
- Mix in 2 cups of the shredded Cheddar, the scallions and jalapenos, and allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Pour canola oil into a 9x13 baking dish and place in the oven for 5 minutes to heat it up.
- Next, pour the batter into the baking dish while still hot and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool and cut into 2x2 inch pieces, then cut each one in half height wise so they are shorter pieces.
For The Hot Honey:
- Place all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir to combine and heat until the mixture comes to a boil.
- Turn down and simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat.
To Assemble:
- Place one piece of pork on each piece of cornbread.
- Drizzle with hot honey and garnish with chopped jalapeno and sliced green onions.
Notes
Uncooked pork belly that is wrapped tightly or stored in an airtight container (like a zip top bag) can be stored in the refrigerator for about three to five days or in the freezer for up to six months.
Leftovers should also be stored in an airtight container, well-sealed in the refrigerator overnight for up to two days.
Nutrition Information
Yield
20Serving Size
1 pieceAmount Per Serving Calories 321Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 75mgSodium 568mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 1gSugar 21gProtein 15g
This nutrition card uses an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. This estimate is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice!
Carolann
Oh yes so good gonna try soon . Thanks for the recipe. But they don’t have pork belly at my store . Where can I buy it
holly
Hi Carolann you should be able to find pork belly at your grocery store in the meat department! I've done a quick search and I found they have pork belly at whole foods if you can't find it at your regular store!