Beef Belly: Unleash the Flavor in Your Kitchen
Discover the secret to cooking tender, flavorful beef belly with this step-by-step guide. Unlock the potential of beef belly in your kitchen today.
Ingredients
- Beef Belly 5-10 lbs
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Wood chips hickory, oak, or mesquite for smoking
- Kosher salt for curing
- Optional: Citrus juice or vinegar for marination
Instructions
- Trim the Beef Belly: Remove excess fat and silver skin, leaving about 1 cm of fat for cooking.
- Marinate or Cure:
- Marination: Combine soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and brown sugar in a bowl. Marinate the beef belly for at least 2 hours or overnight for better flavor.
- Curing: Use the EQ method to measure kosher and curing salt for the beef belly’s weight. Rub the salt mixture evenly over the meat and refrigerate for 4-5 days.
- Smoking: Preheat your smoker to 200-225°F. Smoke the beef belly for 2-3 hours, then continue cooking for 6-8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 190°F. Use wood chips for added flavor and a water pan to retain moisture.
- Roasting: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Roast the beef belly for 1-2 hours until crispy on the outside and tender inside.
- Braising: Cook the beef belly in a flavorful liquid (e.g., stock or wine) at 300°F for 2-3 hours until tender.
- Rest and Slice: Let the cooked beef belly rest for 30 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Pair with sides like coleslaw, braised greens, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Substitutions: Use pork belly as an alternative, but adjust cooking time.
- Variations: Try different marinades or rubs for unique flavors (e.g., Asian-inspired or spicy BBQ).
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 26gFat: 12gIron: 3mg
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