12 Greatest Pork Belly Substitutes (with Photos)

Pork belly is a flavorful piece of meat that has a fat texture that makes it tastier than other forms of meat. It is also quite adaptable and may be used in a variety of cuisines.

Pork belly, on the other hand, is a pricey meat cut that may be difficult to locate at times, but you can attain the same savory taste and tastiness by utilizing the finest pig belly replacements.

Pig bacon, pork shoulder cut, goose meat, swine fatback, duck meat, beef bacon, turkey bacon, and other meats are excellent alternatives for pork belly. You can even make it healthier by omitting the meat or dairy.

Best Pork Belly Substitutes

Here are some wonderful pork belly alternatives that taste and feel like pork belly and have no discernible changes when added to a meal that calls for pork belly.

1. Pork Bacon

This is the most similar alternative for pork belly; in fact, it is the most often used substitute in all recipes that call for pork belly.

You get the same flavor no matter how you prepare it. Just substitute the pork belly with pork bacon and proceed as directed with the pig belly.

The amount should also be maintained. Use the same quantity of pig bacon as you would pork belly, but bear in mind that most of the fat will be rendered away during the frying process, so you may not need to add any more oil.

Season the pork bacon in the same way you would season the pork belly, but cut down on the salt. Since bacon is saltier than other meats, adding too much salt might make your meal overly salty.

2. Pork Fatback

Pork fatback is similarly related to pork belly. It is, as the name suggests, a flesh sliced from the rear of a pig. It has a high fat content, which makes it particularly appetizing when cooked properly.

Fatback meat may also be cured to make salt pork. Cook the pig fatback in the same manner as the pork belly, even using the same ingredients.

Fatback is far more delectable than pig belly when cured with salt, and since it contains less flesh, it is great for folks who want a fatty layer.

Pork fatback may be grilled or cooked with vegetables. You may improve the taste of the meat by adding a spicy sauce or a sprinkle of chilli.

Your meals may come out better with fatback if you use the proper spices and flavors that integrate nicely with the fat layer.

3. Pork Shoulder Cut

This isn’t a common alternative for pork belly, but it’s wonderful anyway. Pork shoulder, on the other hand, may be more difficult to locate, but if you have it, it may serve as a decent substitute for pork belly.

Pork shoulder includes more fat than other kinds of pork cuts, but it also has the correct quantity of flesh to effectively replace for pork belly.

When utilizing pork shoulder chops, marinating them in your preferred sauce for at least one hour before cooking will make them better and more flavorful; you may grill, bake, or fry them in the pan.

When replacing pork shoulders for pork belly, you may use the same spices as in the original recipe. You may not notice a major difference in the flavor of your food.

4. Duck Meat

Duck flesh, although comparable to chicken meat, is thicker and tastier, akin to pig belly. Duck meat must first be processed into bacon before it can be used as a replacement for pig belly. Fortunately, prepackaged duck meat bacon is readily accessible on the market.

Cook the duck meat bacon in the same way you would the pork belly. Keep in mind that you may need to add more ingredients to create a comparable pork belly flavor.

Don’t just season with salt and pepper; you’ll need to add the right ingredients to give your duck flesh the flavor of pork belly.

5. Goose Meat

Goose meat is also a great substitute for pig belly. To replicate the flavor of pork belly, utilize the thicker goose section.

Just as when utilizing duck meat, your goose meat should be made into bacon to taste more like pig belly.

This guarantees that you obtain the ideal combination of sweet beef flavor and delectable fatty texture.

Goose flesh, on the other hand, may be tougher than other varieties of meat. Let it to marinate in a mixture of oil and spices for at least one hour before cooking to soften it.

You may use whatever sort of oil you choose and ingredients similar to those used for pork belly, then immerse the goose flesh in the delicious brine. Goose meat has a wide range of cooking possibilities, so you may prepare it anyway you choose.

6. Beef Bacon

Beef bacon is a great replacement for pig belly. They’re often used in a number of cuisines, and they taste so similar to pork belly that you may not notice the difference.

When swapping beef bacon for pork belly, use pork seasoning instead of beef seasoning to enhance the pig flavor.

Beef bacon may be cooked in the same way as pork belly is. It may also be used in baked meals as well as traditional ones. This sort of meat has a plethora of alternatives. Get beef bacon from a grass-fed animal for a deeper flavor.

7. Turkey Bacon

Turkey bacon may be substituted for pig belly, but only as a last option.

Turkey bacon has lighter colored flesh and a lower fat content than pig belly; its meat also has a distinct texture; yet, it is an excellent option for individuals who are unable to ingest swine belly or any other pork cut.

Turkey bacon is healthier and lower in calories than hog bacon, making it an excellent choice for individuals attempting to eat healthily and monitor their calories.

Turkey bacon may be used in a variety of ways, including burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and grilled meat salads.

8. Beef Belly

Beef belly, also known as navel end brisket, is a cut that is similar to pork belly but comes from a cow.

Other boneless cuts, such as beef bacon and pastrami, are made from beef belly, which is why you may find beef items labeled as beef navel or navel end brisket rather than beef belly.

Hence, if you come across a beef belly cut that looks and tastes similar to pig belly, it may be utilized in soups, stews, and other dishes.

Vegetarian Substitutes For Pork Belly

Vegans and vegetarians have no need for the aforementioned replacements! There are non-meat replacements for pork belly, however bear in mind that they cannot have the same texture as pork belly and may not look the same.

Yet, these vegan replacements might give a high protein level comparable to pork belly.

9. Soy 

Soya chunks are a low-cost and popular vegan replacement for pork belly, with several applications.

To increase your protein consumption, add soy chunks to stews, soups, and other pork belly meals. But, to obtain a decent taste, apply appropriate spices.

10. Tofu

Tofu is another soybean-based food that is often used as a meat substitute in any cuisine.

Tofu has a very bland flavor, but this provides you a blank canvas to work with, allowing you to season it with different spices and seasonings and cook it in a variety of ways to replace pig belly.

Tofu pieces may be added to soups, stews, and curries; for a tasty snack, cut tofu into slices or cubes, coat, and fry.

11. Tempeh

Tempeh is a fermented soybean product native to Java. Because of its high protein level, it may be used to substitute pork belly in a variety of cuisines.

12. Beans

Beans may not taste or feel like pork belly, but their high protein content makes them an excellent vegan option in dishes. Chili, soups, and curries may all benefit from canned or cooked beans.

Conclusion

Pork belly gives a distinct taste to any recipe, but if you can’t locate it or don’t want to eat pig, you may need a pork belly alternative.

You may not be able to tell the difference between the pork belly alternative and the real thing; you can also use non-meat substitutes to make the meal vegan.

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