Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly is full of savory flavor perfect for grilling to get that smokey Korean barbecue taste you all know and love.  This recipe requires over night marination with results that are absolutely incredible!

Enjoy this bbq garlic marinated pork belly in the comfort of your own home by following the simple instructions below.

Sliced Korean BBQ garlic marinated pork belly being picked up with a pair of chopsticks, top down shot.

This recipe does not use traditional sweeteners such as honey or sugar, making this a sugar-free marinade so you can rest assure you’re not getting those extra carbs found in most Korean marinades.

Of course, if you choose, you can always use traditional cane sugar as well following this recipe!

What is Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly?

This delicious Korean dish is made by placing thick pork belly slices in a sweet, savory and garlicky marinade then finishing off on the grill to get that smokey flavor.  It’s filling enough to serve as a main course along with a side of rice and or veggies.

What are the instructions to marinate this pork belly recipe for the BBQ?

Combine marinade ingredients into a bowl and mix well.  Place pork belly into a bowl, cover and refrigerate.  Or place pork belly slices into a ziplock and pour marinade and place in refrigerate over night.  Grill for best results.

How long can you marinate pork belly?

Marinate pork belly for 24-36 hours in the fridge.

Sliced Korean BBQ garlic marinated pork belly being picked up with a pair of chopsticks.

What’s the best way to cook pork belly?

The best way to cook this Korean pork belly recipe is to grill it.  Other ways include:

  • Oven
  • Electric Table Top Grill
  • Pan Fry

What veggies go well with pork belly?

  • Rice
  • Cauliflower Rice with some Lemon Juice (healthier rice option)
  • Green Salad
  • Kimchi
  • Green Leaf Lettuce Wrap

What is the nutrition information for this pork belly recipe?

  • 787 Calories
  • 2g Carbohydrates
  • 1g Fiber
  • 13g Protein
  • 27g Fat
  • 98mg Cholesterol
  • 203mg Sodium
  • 275mg Potassium
  • 15mg Calcium
  • 1mg Iron
  • 18ui Vitamin A
  • 1mg Vitamin C

Korean BBQ garlic marinated pork belly grilled and served on a white plate with sliced green onions.

Looking for other Korean BBQ recipes?

Now, let’s get making this Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly recipe!

  • Prepping Time 5M
  • Marinating Time 24H
  • Cooking Time 5M
  • Total Time 24H10M
  • Net Carb/Serv ~1g
  • Servings 1-2

Ingredients

Pork Belly

  • 1 1/2 lb Sliced Pork Belly
  • 1 tbsp Neutral Cooking Oil (if pan frying)

Marinade

Directions

1) Gather all the ingredients.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (30)

2) Grate garlic with a grater or a garlic press and place into a mixing bowl.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (16)

3) Finely dice jalapeno and combine into the mixing bowl.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (17)

4) Combine rest ingredients for marinade into the mixing bowl – Japanese sake, Sesame Oil and Korean Soybean Paste.  Mix well and set aside.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (18)

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (19)

5) Cut pork belly into ~4 inch lengths and ~1/2 inch thickness and add into a zip-lock, along with the marinade.  Massage in the marinade ensuring equal distribution.  Note – it’s easier to slice meat more precisely if semi-frozen.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (20)

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (21)

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (21)

6) Place zip-lock bag flat in the fridge for 24 hours (up to 36 hours) flipping over at least once half way through the marinate.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (15)

7a) If pan frying, add 1 tbsp of Neutral Cooking Oil to a large frying pan and bring up to temperature on high, should take around 1-2 minutes.  Once up to temp, reduce to medium heat, transfer pork belly and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned.  Transfer to a serving plate.  Note – you can wash off the marinade if you want to avoid burning spots, but it’ll result in a slightly lighter taste.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (28)

7b) Preheat grill on high until temp reaches ~350F.  Once the grill is up to temp, lower heat to medium-low and place pork belly on the grill.  Close lid and cook for ~2-3 minute until browned.  Flip pork bellies and repeat.  Once cooked, transfer to a serving plate.  Note – you can wash off the marinade if you want to avoid burning spots, but it’ll result in a slightly lighter taste.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (29)

Hope you enjoy your Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly!

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More Recipes

Korean BBQ garlic marinated pork belly grilled and served on a white plate with sliced green onions.

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly

Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly is full savory flavor perfect for grilling to get that smokey Korean barbecue taste you all know and love. This recipe requires over night marination with results that are absolutely incredible!
4.87 from 15 votes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: pork belly marinade, pork belly marinade Korean, sugar free BBQ
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Marinating Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Print Recipe
Calories: 787kcal

Ingredients

Pork Belly

  • 1 1/2 lb Pork Belly
  • 1 tbsp Neutral Cooking Oil if pan frying

Marinade

  • 4-6 Clove Garlic more depending on personal preference
  • 1/4 Whole Jalapeno
  • 2 tbsp Japanese Sake
  • 2 tbsp Sesame Oil
  • 2 tbsp Korean Soybean Paste can be substituted with Japanese Miso

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (30)
  • Grate garlic with a grater or a garlic press and place into a mixing bowl.
    Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (16)
  • Finely dice jalapeno and combine into the mixing bowl.
    Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (17)
  • Combine rest ingredients for marinade into the mixing bowl - Japanese sake, Sesame Oil and Korean Soybean Paste. Mix well and set aside.
    Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (19)
  • Cut pork belly into ~4 inch lengths and ~1/2 inch thickness and add into a zip-lock, along with the marinade. Massage in the marinade ensuring equal distribution. Note - it's easier to slice meat more precisely if semi-frozen.
    Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (21)
  • Place zip-lock bag flat in the fridge for 24 hours (up to 36 hour) flipping over at least once half way through the marinate.
    Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (15)
  • A) If pan frying, add 1 tbsp of Neutral Cooking Oil to a large Teflon frying pan and bring up to temperature on high, should take around 1-2 minutes. Once up to temp, reduce to medium heat, transfer pork belly and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Transfer to a serving plate. Note - you can wash off the marinade if you want to avoid burning spots, but it'll result in a slightly lighter taste. B) Preheat grill on high until temp reaches ~350F. Once the grill is up to temp, lower heat to medium-low and place pork belly on the grill. Close lid and cook for ~2-3 minute until browned. Flip pork bellies and repeat. Once cooked, transfer to a serving plate. Note - you can wash off the marinade if you want to avoid burning spots, but it'll result in a slightly lighter taste.
    Korean BBQ Garlic Marinated Pork Belly Korean BBQ (28)

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 787kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 79g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 36g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 275mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 18IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
*Values Based Per Serving
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8 Comments

  1. Instead of pan frying, can I use the oven for easier clean up? Convection bake or broil? and for how long? Thanks. They look delicious!

    • LowCarbingAsian

      We’ve never tried baking this, but I would assume it would be similar to the time and heat of grilling. I would say 350F convection for 3-4 minutes per side. Hope that works out for you!

  2. gloria randall

    if miso has varieties or different colors, which one should i use in this recipe?

    • LowCarbingAsian

      Hi Gloria – we used Korean Doenjang soybean paste for this recipe. If you are using Japanese style miso, we would recommend brown miso (aka awese miso).

  3. Hi… you mentioned using monk fruit sweetener, in stead of cane sugar. It’s not listed in the recipe card? Do we not use any sweetener for the marinade? Thx.

    • LowCarbingAsian

      Hello – thank you very much for catching that! There is no sweetener used in this recipe, it was a glitch in the program we use. We appreciate you pointing that out again!

  4. Should I use cooking sake or regular sake?

    • LowCarbingAsian

      Hello! Either or. Cooking sake usually refers to cheaper sake like Takara Sho Chiku Bai (the ones that come in the big bottles), but you can use premium sake if you prefer.

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