Pork belly is a delicious cut of meat from the belly of a pig. When prepared well, it can be flavorful and tender thanks to its high-fat content.
So you have pork belly and now you’re stuck for ideas, and want to know what to serve with it? Or what goes well?
We’ve got you covered.
Try out these excellent side dishes for serving with your pork belly.
1. Sticky rice
Sticky rice goes well with pork belly, so well in fact that it is the center of many mouth-watering dishes from Asia. Some of my favorite dishes from China include pork and sticky rice. That said? There are hundreds of sticky rice and pork recipes for you to try, so get searching!
2. Southern-fried beans
Southern-fried baked beans are a good side dish to serve with pork belly. Add a little cajun (or other southern) seasoning, then shallow fry the beans until creamy in a little hot oil for a burst of flavor.
3. Macaroni cheese
Macaroni cheese is a great accompaniment to pork belly, especially if you decide to go the BBQ route with either the cooking method or seasoning. Mac and cheese will give you a rich, creamy, and filling side dish for pork, especially bbq pork belly.
4. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potato is a delicious side to serve with any good cuts of meat, including pork belly. Add plenty of butter, and a little yellow mustard to give it an extra kick.
5. Ramen noodles
Ramen noodles are famous Japanese noodles, and they go well with just about anything. Add in a little soy sauce, some garlic, and chili – and you can serve a delicious steaming hot bowl of pork belly ramen noodles that’ll go down a treat.
6. Waldorf salad
Waldorf salad is both visually appealing and delicious! With fresh juicy green apples, celery, walnuts, lettuce, and grapes, lightly tossed in a little mayonnaise this salad is practically built to serve with pork belly.
7. Roast potatoes
Crunchy on the outside, melt in your mouth on the inside – roast potatoes are a perfect side to serve with pork belly. Add a good amount of salt and a little sage for a great-tasting roastie!
8. Stewed okra
Stewed Okra is a delicious side dish that can be added as a side dish to pork belly for both the contrasting texture and interesting flavors. You can try adding a generous amount of garlic, and a little salt & pepper for something simple.
9. Cabbage dishes
You can add boiled cabbage, sauerkraut, or kimchi – all of these are cabbage dishes and go well with pork. If you want to go more Asian with your pork belly you can try serving it with some kimchi. If you want to go European then try some German sauerkraut! With so many cabbage options you shouldn’t limit yourself to one dish when it comes to something as versatile as pork belly!
10. Cornbread
Want something with some authenticity? Go for cornbread. A real staple in Southern U.S. This delicious side dish is soul food at its finest. Combine with other side dish ideas on this list such as mac & cheese.
You can spice up your cornbread by adding in delicious herbs and spices or extras like cheese, that can be melted over the top. Cornbread will always go down a treat with the family with pork belly along with the right sides.