Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly

Siu Yuk – more specifically Crispy Pork Belly (Chinese: 脆皮燒腩仔) was one of my dear grandma’s favorite dishes.

So whenever we visited my grandma, Jacky & I would bring over some delish Crispy Pork Belly. I absolutely loved her giddy excited smile when she saw the beautiful Siu Yuk! 🙂

What is Crispy Pork Belly (Siu Yuk)?

Crispy Pork Belly (Roasted Pork Belly) or Siu Yuk (Chinese: 脆皮燒肉) is a classic favorite Cantonese Siu Mei (Chinese: 燒味). 

Siu Mei (roasted meat) stores typically sell tasty roasted meat including Char Siu (叉燒), Soy Sauce Chicken (豉油鷄), White Cut Chicken (白切鷄), Roasted Goose (燒鵝), Roasted Duck (燒鴨), and last but not least – Roasted Pork aka Siu Yuk (燒肉)!

Traditionally, Roasted Pork is roasted with firewood. As time goes by, stores have eventually adapted to using charcoal. Nowadays, most Siu Mei stores & restaurants use gas to roast these tasty pork bellies.

Roasted Pork is a satisfying bite of heaven with 3 different layers of mouthfeel:

• Ultra crispy-crunchy crackling skin (the soul of the dish!)
• Soft & melt-in-your-mouth layer of buttery fat
• Savory, juicy, tender, flavorful, & aromatic belly meat

Besides being a popular dish for lunch or dinner, Siu Yuk is a classic dish to enjoy at various celebrations (i.e. weddings), special holidays (i.e. Chinese New Year), and many other special occasions. 

Time to make this addictively delicious Crispy Pork Belly in Instant Pot!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly

Prepare ingredients for making pork belly in Instant Pot.

We developed and tested this Siu Yuk recipe using pork bellies ranged from 1″ to 1.25″ thick.

*Tip: If your pork belly doesn’t fit in your Instant Pot because it’s too long, cut the pork belly in half.

Tools for Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Kitchen Tongs
• Silicone Basting Brush
• Meat Tenderizer (Chinese: 鬆肉針) or Fork

Score Pork Belly

First, we need to score lines on the pork belly, so more flavors from the sauce mixture can penetrate into the pork belly.

Use a sharp knife to lightly cut (~2mm into the meat) lines diagonally across the meat side of the pork belly, then cut lines diagonally across in the opposite direction (see photo below).

Pressure Cook Pork Belly

Add 2 tsp (12g) fine salt, 2 tsp (3.5g) five spice powder, 1 tsp (5g) granulated sugar, ½ tsp (1.9g) white pepper, 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 2 tbsp (30ml) Shaoxing wine (optional), and 1 cup (250ml) cold water in Instant Pot. Mix well.

Add pork belly in Instant Pot (with the skin side up).

Then, lightly sprinkle salt over the pork belly skin.

*Note: If your pork belly is too long to fit into your Instant Pot, cut it in half, then place them side by side in Instant Pot (as shown in the photo below).

Ideally, you want to keep the pork belly skin dry, so make sure the skin is not submerged in the cooking liquid. 

Close lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing position.

Pressure Cooking Methods:

• 1″ Thick Pork Belly: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 19 minutes + 15 minutes Natural Release
• 1.25″ Thick Pork Belly: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 22 minutes + 15 minutes Natural Release

After releasing pressure naturally for 15 minutes, carefully turn the Venting Knob to Venting Position to release the remaining pressure.

Once the Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

Prep Pork Belly Skin

Carefully remove the pork belly and place them on a chopping board or serving plate.

Now, we’ll prep for the extra crunchy, ultra crispy pork crackling!

First, pat the pork belly skin really dry with paper towels.

Then, use a meat tenderizer or a fork to poke holes all over the pork belly skin.

*Pro Tip: The holes should only penetrate the skin and the fat part of the pork belly. Poke as many holes as you can. As a warning – this is kind of a workout, but it’s totally worth it!!

Again, pat the skin really dry with paper towels.

Mix ½ tsp (3g) fine salt and ½ tsp (2.5g) baking powder together.

Sprinkle the baking powder mixture all over the skin, then brush a few layers of vegetable oil on the skin.

*Note: Baking Powder is not the same as Baking Soda. Double-check you’re using Baking Powder, NOT Baking Soda for this recipe.

Broil in Oven/Air Fryer

*Note: We recommend using an oven, air fryer, or toaster oven for this finishing crispy step. Instant Pot Duo Crisp‘s “Broil” function or Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid will work, but the result won’t be as crispy & satisfactory.

*Pro Tip: It’s best to broil the pork belly before cutting it into serving size, so the pork belly can retain more moisture.

Option 1 – Oven/Toaster Oven

First, place the pork belly (skin side up) on an oven tray, then place the oven tray on the top rack.

Use the “Broil” function (or Airfry setting), then set the temperature to 400°F – 425°F.

Broil pork belly until the skin is golden brown, bubbly, very crispy, and crunchy.

*Note: Depending on your oven, this process will take roughly 18 – 25 minutes.

Option 2 – Air Fryer Lid

First, place the air fryer basket with the tray on the middle rack in Instant Pot (as shown in the photo below).

Now, layer the pork belly (skin side up) on the air fryer tray in Instant Pot.

Then, place the Air Fryer Lid on Instant Pot.

• Air Frying Method: Press the “Broil” button, set the Temperature to 400°F and Cooking Time to 20 minutes.

*Note: You’ll need to broil for an extra 10 – 12 minutes, which means the total cooking time will take roughly 30 – 32 minutes.

*Pro Tip: You can open the lid to check the progress. The pork belly skin should be golden brown, bubbly, and crispy.

Serve Crispy Pork Belly

Place the Instant Pot Roasted Pork on a chopping board and let it cool down a bit.

Finally, chop up the Crispy Instant Pot Pork Belly into tasty bite size Siu Yuk!

*Note: If your knife is not heavy enough, some of the pork belly skin may separate from the meat. *hint hint* This will be a good excuse to taste test one of the runaway yummy cracklings before serving. 😉

These Instant Pot Crispy Pork Belly are usually served with rice.

*Pro Tip: If you like, you can serve these tasty siu yuk with hoisin sauce and yellow mustard. 

Enjoy this Ultra-Crispy Pork Belly in Instant Pot!

More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Char Siu (Chinese BBQ Pork)

Instant Pot White Cut Chicken (白切雞)

Instant Pot Soy Sauce Chicken (豉油雞)