How to Cook Cebu Lechon Belly

Cebu lechon belly is a Filipino delicacy made from roasted pig belly marinated in a special blend of spices and herbs. If you want to cook authentic Cebu lechon belly at home, here is a simple recipe you can follow (I got this from my Bisaya mother!):

Ingredients:

• 5-pound pig belly
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 1 medium red onion (chopped)
• 6 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 2 lemongrass stalks (bruise or soften)

Additional: 1.5-meter-long kitchen tie.

Instructions on How to Cook Cebu Lechon Belly:

1. Wash and pat dry the pig belly. Set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well to form a marinade (feel free to add more ingredients, depending on your taste).
3. Place the pig belly in a baking pan and pour the marinade over it. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, for the flavors to seep into the meat. This is the most important step!
4. Once done, separate the meat and the marinade. Set aside the marinade (do not throw it).
5. Place the pig belly in a baking pan and put the chopped onion, minced garlic, and softened lemongrass stalks on the meat side of the belly (not the skin side). Get your kitchen tie, roll the belly, and tie it (make sure the spices don’t fall off when tying).
6. Roast the marinated pig belly in the oven for about 4 hours at 350°F, basting with the leftover marinade every 30 minutes, until the skin is crisp and the meat is tender.
7. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your homemade Cebu lechon belly! The crispy skin and flavorful marinade will make this a memorable dish for your family and friends.

If you have problems following this recipe and want a video tutorial, we recommend you watch this YouTube video for Cebu Lechon Belly instead: