Ingredients
- 2-2 1/2 pounds pork belly
- 22 oz. stout
- 1-2 cups pork or chicken stock
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon whole mustard seeds, ground
Preparation
Step 1
Prep pork belly by using a sharp knife to score a diamond pattern into the skin.
Combine stout, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt, cloves, mustard seeds in a medium saucepan over low heat. Simmer just until salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Place pork into a large re-sealable bag (or a large pot with a cover) and pour cooled beer mixture into the bag.
Seal and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or up to 24, flipping occasionally to distribute brine.
Remove meat from brine (reserve the brine), rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat and (cutting pork into smaller pieces, if necessary) sear meat on all sides. Note: once you place the meat down, don’t move it. You want to get a good char and moving it around prevents that from happening.
Remove from heat and let rest until cool.
Pour 1 cup reserved brine mixture (strained), apple cider vinegar and brown sugar into the slow cooker and stir to dissolve. Then transfer pork to slow cooker. Note: pork should not be fully submerged in liquids.
Carefully add pork stock until pork is 1/4-1/2 submerged, then turn on LOW and cook for 6-8 hours (or until internal temperature reaches 160º F).
Transfer to serving plates, garnish with fresh herbs and serve with roasted veggies or potatoes. Optional: you can sear meat again (with another 2 tablespoons olive oil) after cooking in the slow cooker, if you want to get an even crispier outer crust.
You'll also love
-
Pork Belly Carnitas 4.2/5 (6 Votes) -
PASTA - Creamy Garlic Herb... 4.3/5 (8 Votes)
You'll also love
-
The BEST Banana Muffins EVER 4.8/5 (8 Votes) -
Bone Broth ... beef, chicken or... 4.2/5 (10 Votes)