25 Delicious Salt Pork Recipes to Try Today

Salt pork is a type of salt-cured pork that is typically made from pork belly. It is a common ingredient in many traditional recipes, especially in North America and Europe. It’s often used as a seasoning or flavoring agent in stews, soups, and other dishes.

The flavor it creates is out of this world and that’s why we put together this list of 25 Salt Pork Recipes for you to try! 

Salt pork is made by salting and curing pork belly. Other spices are often used, too, like bay leaves, peppercorns, and garlic. The curing process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the desired flavor and texture.

Once cured, the meat can be stored for long periods without refrigeration. It is very salty and fatty, which makes it a flavorful and rich ingredient in so many tasty recipes like Arroz con Tocino (Puerto Rican Rice with Salt Pork), Delicious and Easy Southern Green Beans, and Braised Daikon with Salted Pork and Glass Noodles. See all the best recipe ideas below! 

1. Lisa’s All-Day Sugar & Salt Pork Roast

Lisa’s All-Day Sugar & Salt Pork Roast is started in the crockpot and finished off in the oven for a delicious and tender meal. You don’t even need sauce or a bun because the meat is just so good. Don’t forget to put foil at the bottom of your roasting pan for optimal results. The salty sugary coating makes this salt pork recipe the star of the show, perfect for large family gatherings or a BBQ party! 

2. Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Salt Pork

Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Salt Pork is the ultimate comfort food recipe! It’s easy to make with 1/4-inch cubes of salt pork, large peeled shallots, kosher salt, black pepper, Brussels sprouts, and pickle juice. You will start by blanching the salt pork in boiling water which can be done up to 24 hours ahead of time. This pork and veggie recipe is delicious.

3. Arroz con Tocino (Puerto Rican Rice with Salt Pork)

Arroz con Tocino (Puerto Rican Rice with Salt Pork) is a fantastic recipe for any day of the week! The combination of rice, salt pork, fried egg, and spices will make your mouth water! Because pork belly is very high in sodium, no added salt is necessary for the overall dish. It balances out nicely and stays true to the country roots of the recipe.

4. Salt Pork with Puy Lentils (Petit Sale aux Lentilles)

Salt Pork with Puy Lentils (Petit Sale aux Lentilles) will have you jumping for joy. This recipe combines tender salt pork and puy lentils resulting in a rich, hearty dish. It has a smoky umami flavor that bursts with flavor in your mouth. This salt pork recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone at the dinner table. Whether it’s your family or friends, everyone will devour their portions and be begging for more.

5. Molasses Baked Beans With Salt Pork

Molasses Baked Beans with Salt Pork is one recipe you will want to make again and again! It takes 5 minutes to prepare and 4 hrs 45 mins to cook. You’ll need to reserve 8 hours to soak the pork though. It’s well worth the 6-8 servings that taste like heaven. So if you’re looking for old-fashioned baked beans from scratch that’s amped up with salt pork this is the one for you! 

6. Salt-Fried Pork Recipe

This Salt-Fried Pork Recipe is very straightforward and sure to become a family favorite. It’s just 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook, resulting in 4 hearty servings. You will need a fresh boneless pork belly with the skin on, leeks, cooking oil, chili bean paste, fermented black beans, light soy sauce, sugar, and salt! 

7. White Beans with Salt Pork

This white beans and salt pork recipe is from Fabio Trabocchi’s cookbook, “Cucina of Le Marche.” It tastes good with Grilled Pork Chops or ribs! With ingredients like dried cannellini beans, salt pork with the rind removed, fresh rosemary, extra-virgin olive oil, sliced onions, sliced garlic, prosciutto, parsley, plum tomatoes, and crusty bread, what’s not to love?

8. Arroz con Tocino (Rice With Salt Pork)

In just one hour, you can have this delicious recipe for Arroz con Tocino (Rice With Salt Pork!) Made with white rice for a slight twist, and the salt pork is sautéed to crispy perfection! Don’t forget to rinse your pork well and pat it dry before slicing it. It’s best not to rinse the rice either, for it not to retain too much moisture.  

9. Hearty One-Pot Black-Eyed Pea Stew With Kale and Andouille Recipe

This hearty One-Pot Black-Eyed Pea Stew with Kale and Andouille Recipe will delight your taste buds! It’s perfect for a lazy day, easy to clean, and even easier to make! The combination of kale, black-eyed pea, salt pork, and sausage are custom-made for each other! With tender beans and braised kale in a spicy broth, you will be scrambling for 2nds and 3rds! 

10. Quick Salt Pork Recipe

This Quick Salt Pork Recipe is the meal that can get you through winter without ever wanting to eat anything else. You can use the trimmings of shoulder or belly or whatever scraps and cuts of meat you may have on hand. The meat is cured for just 10 days or so and can be frozen for a quick meal anytime. 

11. Southern Style Collard Greens

Looking for classic southern salt pork recipes? This one with collard greens will knock your socks off! Southerners do not joke about their collard greens either! One bite will melt in your mouth and quickly become a family favorite. This recipe is perfect for holidays, Sunday dinners, and any time of the year. 

12. Delicious and Easy Southern Green Beans

Delicious and Easy Southern Green Beans will have you in love with green beans and salt pork recipes! This soulful Southern recipe with smoked bacon, salt pork, and beans has a scrumptious flavor with vinegar and sugar to provide an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. It’s one of the best side dishes for any main course, especially holidays and family gatherings! 

13. Southern Streak o’ Lean

Southern Streak o’ Lean Streak o’ Lean has a traditional history in classic southern cuisine! It’s used for so many things like seasoning and rendering fat. It’s a quick, easy, extremely tasty snack when dredged in flour and fried. Add it to a charcuterie platter or serve it as a side at a BBQ party or potluck! Once you have a taste, you’ll want more and more and so make a lot if you’re having guests. 

14. Salted Pork with Rice and Bok Choy

Salted Pork with Rice and Bok Choy is a popular one-pot recipe in China. It’s a native dish to an area that lies in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta. It’s a fantastic easy go-to family meal that you will want to make over and over. It is very simple to whip up at home with minimal effort. The best part is that the salted pork created the best seasoning and flavor all on its own. 

15. French Salted Pork With Lentils

This recipe (“petit salé aux lentilles”) is traditional in French cuisine. Make sure you get fresh salted pork belly from your butcher! Other ingredients include yellow or white onions, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. If you can find bouquets of garnish already prepared at the grocery store, that would be great! Use fresh carrots and your favorite type of lentils. 

16. Salted Pork And Beans

Try this Salted Pork And Beans recipe for your next BBQ or family dinner! It has a smoky, slightly sweet flavor and is always a total crowd-pleaser! The textures and flavors will amaze you, like the Worcestershire sauce and dry mustard powder. No one can resist it either so ensure to cook a lot if you invited a crowd! You won’t believe it, it comes together in under 30 minutes!

17. Nick’s Minestrone

Nick’s Minestrone is a scrumptious Salt pork recipe! The best part is that it is easy to make, easy to clean, and perfect for a lazy Sunday. It’s a great make-ahead stew for your next camping trip. The soup gets even tastier as it sits too, developing flavor in the fridge overnight. Featured on the menu at Nick’s Italian Cafe in the Willamette Valley wine region town of McMinnville, Oregon, it is a long-time favorite of the customers there. 

18. New England Clam Chowder with Salt Pork Belly

New England Clam Chowder with Salt Pork Belly will knock your socks off. With ingredients like salt pork belly, large white onion, large white potatoes peeled, water, quahogs or chowder clams, low sodium chicken broth, fresh chopped thyme or marjoram, salt, and pepper. It will quickly become your new favorite clam chowder recipe, and you’ll prepare it every week! 

19. Italian Pasta with Lentils

Italian Pasta with Lentils is one of my favorite salt pork recipes ever! All you need is olive oils, onion, garlic cloves, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, lentils, cumin, tomato paste, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, pasta noodles, chili flakes, and parsley! The combination of tender noodles and savory salt pork all wrapped up in one delicious pasta dish will impress everyone at the dinner table! 

20. Homemade Chinese Salted Pork

Salted pork or yān xián ròu (腌咸肉) is a favorite amongst Chinese people, especially when dining out! Making it at home makes the experience even better, and the best part is that the recipe requires minimal effort. However, making the salt pork from scratch does take time. It’s an investment for sure but it’s well worth it.

21. Butter Beans with Kale and Eggs Recipe

The Butter Beans with Kale and Eggs Recipe is a meal made in heaven! With delicious soft butter beans (large lima beans) and salt pork, you will want to eat this dish all the time. You will also need low-sodium homemade or canned chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, onions, carrots, celery, tomatoes, kale, spinach, boiled eggs, olive oil, and salt and pepper. 

23. Butter Beans Southern-Style

Butter Beans Southern-Style is a slow-simmered salt pork recipe for any occasion. The cooking process creates a creamy-like sauce without adding any cream. One bite will have you in love. Be careful about water quantity because too much will make it too thin. It’s important to check the consistency of the stew about every 20 minutes.  

24. Braised Daikon with Salted Pork and Glass Noodles

This recipe for Braised Daikon with Salted Pork and Glass Noodles is so delicious. The meat itself is a super flavor agent because it creates so much complexity and umami taste. You will need oil, garlic, scallions, salted pork belly, daikon radish, chicken stock, mung bean vermicelli, sesame oil, white pepper, and salt! It’s a flavor combination like nothing else! 

25. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts & Salt Pork

If you are looking for the perfect appetizer for a special occasion, this Balsamic Brussels Sprouts & Salt Pork recipe is just what you need. This impressive dish is ready in 40 minutes resulting in 8 portions, and you need Capital salt pork, Brussels sprout halves, onions, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and pomegranate seeds. Don’t forget to blanch the salt pork in boiling water for 10 minutes and pat it dry for best results.