There are some flavor combinations that just sing, and rich, savory pork with sweet, jammy plums is a culinary masterpiece. The warm notes of allspice and cinnamon tie everything together, creating a dish that feels both rustic and elegant. Forget hours of slow roasting; this recipe harnesses the magic of the Instant Pot to deliver incredibly tender pork belly in under an hour. The sweet and savory sauce is simply divine spooned over the succulent meat. It’s a show-stopping meal with minimal effort!
Ingredients
• 2 lbs / 900g pork belly
• 1 cup / 240ml beef or chicken bouillon
• 5 oz / 140g tomato passata
• 4 ripe plums, pitted and roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp / 15g ground allspice
• 1 tbsp / 15g ground cinnamon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Pat the pork belly dry with paper towels. Using a very sharp knife, make shallow slices across the skin in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut all the way through to the meat. In a small bowl, combine the allspice and cinnamon. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork, pressing it into the scores. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the bouillon, tomato passata, and the chopped plums to create the sauce.
4. Place the seasoned pork belly into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Pour the plum sauce evenly over the top of the pork.
5. Secure the lid and set the steam release valve to the ‘Sealing’ position. Select the ‘Stew/Meat’ function and set the cook time to 40 minutes.
6. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release to vent any remaining steam. Remove the pork, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice and serve with the rich plum sauce from the pot.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving (Calories 316 | Total Fats 20g | Net Carbs: 10g | Protein 24g |Fiber: 3g)
Pro Tips
• For a crispy, crackling skin, remove the cooked pork from the Instant Pot and place it skin-side up on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-4 minutes, watching closely until the skin is golden and bubbly.
• If your sauce is thinner than you’d like, remove the pork and set the Instant Pot to the ‘Sauté’ function. Let the sauce simmer for 5-10 minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency.
• Use ripe but firm plums, such as Black or Red plums. They hold their shape better during cooking while providing a wonderful sweet-tart flavor to cut through the richness of the pork.
• This dish is fantastic for meal prep as the flavors deepen overnight. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and gently reheat to serve.
FAQ
Q: How can I make the pork belly skin crispy
A: After cooking in the Instant Pot, place the pork belly skin-side up on a baking sheet and broil for 2-4 minutes. Watch it closely until the skin is golden and bubbly.
Q: What if my plum sauce is too thin
A: To thicken the sauce, remove the pork from the pot and set the Instant Pot to the ‘Sauté’ function. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5-10 minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency.
Q: What kind of plums are best for this recipe
A: Use ripe but firm plums like Black or Red plums. They hold their shape well during cooking and provide a sweet-tart flavor that cuts through the richness of the pork.
Q: Can I make this pork belly ahead of time
A: Yes, this dish is excellent for meal prep as the flavors deepen overnight. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
