Pork belly is a beloved cut known for its rich flavor and tender texture, but preparing it from scratch can be time-consuming. Trader Joe's offers a solution with their Fully Cooked Pork Belly-pre-braised and ready to crisp in minutes. Priced at $6.99 for a 12-ounce package, it's a convenient option for adding gourmet flair to your meals without the hassle
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Review
Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly is one of those products that delivers big results with minimal effort. If you've ever wanted the rich, crispy decadence of pork belly without spending hours slow-roasting it yourself, this is your shortcut.
The pork belly comes vacuum-sealed and pre-braised, which means it's already tender and infused with flavor before it ever hits your pan. The portion is a rectangular slab of about 12 ounces, and while it might not look like much straight out of the package, it transforms beautifully once cooked.
To prep it, all you have to do is slice and sear. I tried it in a cast iron skillet over medium heat, and it crisped up perfectly within a few minutes. The fat renders quickly and creates a golden, crunchy exterior while the inside stays meltingly tender. There's no need to add seasoning. Just a hot pan and maybe a splash of oil to get things going.
Flavor-wise, it's rich and savory with a natural pork flavor that isn't masked by heavy seasoning. That's one of the best things about this product: it's a blank canvas. You can leave it plain and serve it with ramen, or brush it with hoisin or gochujang to give it an Asian-inspired twist. It also works well as a taco filling, in sandwiches, or even as an indulgent breakfast meat alongside eggs and toast.
The only drawback is its richness. This is pork belly, after all-it's naturally fatty. A little goes a long way, and it's best used as an accent protein rather than the centerpiece of your meal unless you're truly indulging. It's also worth noting that the portion size might not stretch far if you're feeding more than two people, so plan accordingly. Also, consistency is a problem here. Some of these I've tried were good, others almost pure fat.
Still, for around $6.99, it's an affordable way to bring a restaurant-style component to your home cooking without the mess or time commitment. I've bought this multiple times and always keep a pack in the fridge for last-minute meals that need a boost of flavor and texture. It's especially great when you want to impress someone without doing too much work.
If you're new to pork belly or hesitant to make it from scratch, this is a fantastic way to try it out. And if you're already a fan? This version holds up surprisingly well to homemade and could easily pass in a bowl of ramen or a banh mi sandwich.
Ingredients
Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly contains just three ingredients: pork belly, water, and sea salt. This simplicity allows the quality of the meat to take center stage, and it provides a blank canvas for you to add your own seasonings or sauces as desired.
How to Enjoy
- Ramen: Slice and add to your favorite ramen for a hearty, flavorful topping.
- Tacos: Crisp slices make an excellent filling for tacos, paired with fresh slaw and a tangy sauce.
- Sandwiches: Layer onto crusty bread with pickled vegetables for a banh mi-inspired sandwich.
- Salads: Cube and toss into salads for added protein and texture.
- Breakfast: Serve alongside eggs and toast for a decadent breakfast option.
How to Cook Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly
Even though it's fully cooked, this pork belly benefits from a quick sear to bring out its best texture and flavor. Here's how to do it:
1. Slice it up:
Remove the pork belly from its packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. For best results, slice it into ¼- to ½-inch thick pieces. You can also cube it if you prefer bite-sized pieces for tacos, rice bowls, or salads.
2. Use a hot skillet:
Heat a nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat. You don't need much oil-the pork belly will release its own fat as it cooks.
3. Sear until crispy:
Place the slices in a single layer in the pan. Let them cook undisturbed for about 2-4 minutes on each side, or until they're golden brown and crisp around the edges. Flip once, then cook the other side the same way.
4. Drain and serve:
Transfer the pork belly to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Serve immediately while the outside is crispy and the inside is still tender.
Optional flavor additions:
- Brush with your favorite glaze (like hoisin, teriyaki, or Korean BBQ sauce) during the last 30 seconds in the pan
- Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, sesame seeds, or scallions before serving
- Toss into ramen, tacos, or on top of rice or stir-fried veggies
FAQs about Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
Yes, it has been slow-braised for 12 hours and is ready to eat after reheating
Keep it refrigerated and consume by the use-by date on the package. Once opened, it's best to eat within a few days.
Yes, you can freeze the pork belly for longer storage. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly is a delightful addition to any home cook's repertoire. Its convenience, versatility, and rich flavor make it a standout product for those looking to enjoy gourmet-style meals without the extensive preparation. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, this pork belly is sure to impress.
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Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly
Product Name: Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly
Product Description: Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly has been a long standing favorite in the refrigerated case.
Price: $6.99
Currency: USD
Availability: InStoreOnly
Summary
Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Pork Belly takes the guesswork out of this delicious protein.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
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Convenient: Pre-cooked and ready to crisp in minutes.
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Versatile: Suitable for a variety of dishes.
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Flavorful: Rich, tender meat with a crispy exterior.
Cons
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Richness: High fat content may not suit all dietary preferences.
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Portion Size: 12 ounces may not be sufficient for larger meals or families.
SuperFayKay says
This looks pretty good and isn't something I'd try but I will now! Just out of curiosity, what else did you eat with it?
bsickles says
I had it with salad or would be a good appetizer.
linda says
The worst product Trader Joe's have sold to date. This pork belly is precooked.... meaning they boiled the s**** out of it. Nothing can save this. I tried to roast... pan cook... bake... and Lord knows what else. However, the pork belly texture is stringy and stew like texture. Totally processed. I'm very disappointed Trader Joe's felt the need to destroy the possibilities with how their customers can cook this pork belly. Also, it leaves a bad after taste due to the over processed 'precooked' preperation.
becomebetty says
Hey Linda! Maybe I should go back and revisit this item (which I do from time to time). From my memory, it came in a plastic vacuum sealed back which might not mean it's boiled, it maybe prepared sous vide. Otherwise, there can sometimes be quality issues. So, thanks so much for the heads up on something I might need to revisit. Hope you'll stop by again and share your thoughts on other items!
Walt says
I'm telling ya... this was DELICIOUS! Just now finished enjoying it. Prepared it carefully, rinsing, drying with paper towels... slicing a generous 1/4"~1/2" thick... pan frying on medium high... Just Like Bacon... fat rendered beautifully, steam evaporated... leaving beautifully browned, crisped pieces of glorious, melt in your mouth Pork Belly. Pre-salted perfectly to my taste. I highly recommend this product.
becomebetty says
Hey Walt! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing how you prepare this.
adobe blue says
The shopper above must have cooked the pork belly incorrectly, It fries almost like bacon and is super easy to prepare. Makes very good tacos. The key is to get a good sear on the fatty side so you get some nice crunch. It makes a bunch of tacos and keeps well in the refrigerator. I also cooked it in the over where you get an even better crunchy top layer. It is already cooked so don't overdo it, follow the directions.
david.kaveny@gmail.com says
It was delicious. My wife is Filipino and raved about it. Very Crispy Pata like. I used an electric fry pan and you should fry in oil (just add about 1/4 cup to the pan). You need to fry on all sides - don't move the meat - just leave it fry for about 5-8 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and slice. We served with roasted potatoes and green beans and pork gravy on the side. In the Philippines I believe they would serve with white rice, vegetable and a liver gravy. Note: if you want it more crispy you can re-fry the slices in the hot oil after slicing.
Of course this is not a low calorie dish.
becomebetty says
Hey David! Thanks so much for sharing how you enjoy this!
Peggy McLain says
I had mashed Potatoes and sauerkraut . I was delicious. Just fry the until fat is brown. Inside the meat is white and juicy..
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing Peggy!
enhancedcrash says
My wife and I just bought this and it was precooked but I Lightly seasoned it with salt, garlic powder and pepper and broiled it on low for 30 minutes until the pork skin was crispy. It was absolutely amazing. Skip the pan fry it's ok, but broil it skin side up. It was crunchy with the soft meat underneath. It was great with a salad on the side and very juicy. Don't listen to the haters, they don't know how to cook.
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing!
Amanda Diamond says
Since this is already pre-cooked, can I cube it and put it in an egg bake?
becomebetty says
Absolutely!
Ronald says
I used this to make a pork belly fried rice. It was the first time I used pork belly and it made for a really nice subtle flavoring. Going to try tacos next!
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing Ronald!
Lynn says
I agree with Linda! Besides the fake taste, I am really disappointed that I paid 6.49 for a piece of pork belly that was 95% all fat. I know pork belly is a fatty cut but please-90% all fat is not an acceptable. I thought maybe I had a bad cut and tried it again, same thing 90% fat and no meat. Who selects this piece of FAT and think it is okay to package???????????
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing!