Savory Cabbage Pork Belly – Easy Slow Cooker Recipe

Introduction

This Savory Cabbage Pork Belly is a simple, hearty slow cooker meal made with just a few basic ingredients. Tender, rich pork belly slowly cooks over fresh cabbage, allowing the rendered pork fat and natural juices to create an incredibly flavorful dish.

After hours of slow cooking, the cabbage becomes soft, buttery, and slightly sweet, while the pork belly turns melt-in-your-mouth tender. For an extra delicious finish, you can broil the pork belly for a few minutes to create crispy, caramelized edges.

Ingredients

• 2 to 2½ pounds pork belly, skin removed if attached, cut into 1½-inch thick slabs
• 1 medium head green cabbage, about 2 to 2½ pounds, cored and cut into thick wedges or wide ribbons
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Cabbage

Remove any tough or wilted outer leaves from the cabbage. Cut it into thick wedges or wide ribbons, removing the core as you go.

Keep the pieces fairly large so they hold their shape during cooking.

2. Season the Pork Belly

Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels. Season all sides with the kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, gently rubbing the seasoning into the meat.

3. Layer the Slow Cooker

Place the sliced cabbage evenly in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.

Arrange the seasoned pork belly slabs on top of the cabbage in as close to a single layer as possible.

4. Slow Cook

Cover with the lid and cook on:

• LOW for 7–8 hours, or
• HIGH for 4–5 hours

Cook until the pork belly is very tender and the cabbage is soft, wilted, and coated in the flavorful rendered juices.

5. Crisp the Pork Belly – Optional

For crispy, caramelized edges, carefully remove the cooked pork belly from the slow cooker using tongs.

Place it on a foil-lined baking sheet and spoon a little of the cooking juices over the top.

Broil for 3–6 minutes, watching carefully, until the edges become browned and crisp.

6. Finish and Serve

While the pork belly is broiling, gently toss the cabbage with the cooking juices in the slow cooker.

Taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.

Serve a generous portion of the soft cabbage topped with tender, crispy-edged pork belly. Spoon a little extra cooking juice over everything before serving.

Variations & Tips

• Add garlic: Add a few minced or smashed garlic cloves for extra savory flavor.
• Make it slightly sweet: A small amount of brown sugar can complement the richness of the pork and the natural sweetness of the cabbage.
• Add a little heat: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes or your favorite chili seasoning.
• Serve with a side: This dish is delicious with rice, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices.
• Don’t skip the broiling: While optional, broiling gives the pork belly a beautiful caramelized finish and adds a delicious contrast to the soft cabbage.

Conclusion

This Savory Cabbage Pork Belly is an easy and comforting slow cooker recipe with rich, savory flavor and minimal preparation. The combination of melt-in-your-mouth pork belly and buttery, tender cabbage makes it a satisfying meal for a cozy family dinner.