Mastering Costco Pork Belly: Your Ultimate Guide to Cooking Delicious Slices
Unlock the secrets to preparing mouth-watering Costco pork belly with this comprehensive guide! Whether you prefer succulent strips, a whole belly, or convenient pre-cooked slices, Costco offers a variety of options to satisfy your cravings. This article dives deep into different types of pork belly available at Costco and provides versatile Costco pork belly recipes for popular cooking methods like the air fryer, oven, grill, and stove. Get ready to create easy appetizers and main dishes that are naturally keto, low-carb, and gluten-free, perfect for any occasion.
Finding high-quality, pre-sliced pork belly can often be a challenge at conventional grocery stores. This is precisely why Costco stands out, offering an impressive selection of sliced pork belly and whole cuts, making it a go-to destination for pork belly enthusiasts. Today, we’ll focus on how to transform these Costco finds into delectable meals, particularly highlighting the convenience of their sous vide options.
Many of the recipes featured here are designed for Costco’s pre-cooked sous vide pork belly, which means much of the hard work is already done for you. All that’s left is to season, heat, and enjoy! However, before we dive into the cooking, let’s ensure you select the perfect type of pork belly for your culinary adventure, as Costco surprisingly offers a few distinct varieties.
🐖 Exploring Costco’s Pork Belly Selection
Costco provides a fantastic range of pork belly options, catering to different preferences and cooking styles. Understanding each type will help you choose the best product for your next delicious meal.
Swift Whole Pork Belly
For those who love to cook from scratch and feed a crowd, Costco’s Swift whole pork belly is an excellent choice. These substantial slabs typically weigh between 11-12 lbs (5-5.4 kg). Availability often dictates whether you’ll find it with the skin on or off. At many Costco locations, including mine, it’s most commonly sold skin-off. If you’re specifically seeking skin-on pork belly for that irresistible crispy crackling, you might have better luck checking Costco’s online store, as in-store stock can vary.
Swift pork belly is a raw, boneless, and minimally processed product, free from artificial ingredients. It requires proper refrigeration and must be cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), followed by a 3-minute rest, to ensure safety and optimal texture. If you manage to find skin-on pork belly, recipes like a classic air fryer pork belly with crispy skin are ideal. As of writing, Swift whole pork belly is priced around $4.29 per pound, though prices are subject to change and may vary by location and time of purchase.
Costco Sliced Pork Belly
A more convenient raw option is Costco’s boneless sliced pork belly. This skin-off product comes pre-sliced, making it incredibly versatile for various dishes. It’s perfect for crafting quick pork belly bites, creating delicious pork belly burnt ends, or even preparing homemade bacon. These packages are generally around 6 lbs (2.7 kg), making it a more manageable size for smaller families or for those who don’t need an entire whole pork belly.
The pre-sliced format saves significant prep time, allowing you to get straight to cooking. Similar to the whole Swift pork belly, these slices are raw and need to be cooked thoroughly. At the time of this publication, Costco sliced pork belly is typically priced at $4.99 per pound. Always check in-store or online for the most current pricing.
🐷 Kirkland Signature Sous Vide Pork Belly: The Ultimate Convenience
Costco’s third and perhaps most distinct offering is the Kirkland Signature Sous Vide Pork Belly. This product stands apart because it is fully cooked, cured, sliced, and hickory smoked. Its flavor profile and preparation method make it more akin to thick-cut bacon or artisanal ham than raw pork belly, offering a wonderfully rich and savory taste. These sliced pork belly pieces are my personal favorite among Costco’s options due to their exceptional convenience and unique flavor.
The pre-cooked nature of this pork belly is a huge time-saver. You’re not cooking it from raw; instead, you’re merely heating it through and crisping it to your desired texture. This makes it perfect for quick meals, appetizers, or as a flavorful addition to various dishes. Typically sold in approximately 2 lb (0.9 kg) packages, it offers a great value for a premium product. As of this writing, Kirkland sous vide pork belly costs about $6.99 per pound. Prices, as always, are subject to fluctuations and regional differences.
Ready to discover how to cook pork belly slices from Costco? Whether you prefer pan-frying, grilling, baking, or air frying, there are countless ways to enjoy these versatile strips. Below, you’ll find a collection of delicious recipes for belly pork strips, including a fantastic Ninja Foodi BBQ pork belly bites recipe that’s sure to impress!
🥘 Does Costco pork belly have skin on?
For those seeking crispy crackling, only the Swift whole pork belly offers a skin-on option at Costco. However, its availability can be limited and varies by store. Many Costco warehouses, including my local one, primarily stock the skin-off version of Swift pork belly. It’s always a good idea to check with your specific store or explore Costco online if skin-on pork belly is a must-have for your recipe.
🔪 Mastering Costco Pork Belly: Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Let’s explore the various methods to cook your Costco pork belly, turning it into a delightful dish. Remember, these instructions primarily focus on the pre-cooked Kirkland Signature Sous Vide Pork Belly, which significantly streamlines the cooking process.
❓ Crispy Costco Sous Vide Pork Belly in the Air Fryer
The air fryer is a fantastic tool for achieving perfectly crispy pork belly with minimal effort. Whether you own a Ninja Foodi, Philips, Instant Pot Vortex, Cosori, Nuwave, Kalorik, Breville, or any other air fryer brand, these instructions will guide you. Keep in mind that cooking times can vary between models, so always check your food a little earlier the first time you try a new recipe.
Air Fryer Instructions for Ninja Foodi Pork Belly Bites:
The Kirkland Signature Sous Vide Pork Belly typically comes in a box containing two separate packages, each with five pre-sliced pieces of pork belly. For this recipe, you’ll need four of these delicious pork belly slices.
Carefully cut each of the four pork belly slices into five smaller, bite-sized pieces. Aim for uniform pieces, approximately 1-inch (2.54 cm) wide, to ensure even cooking and crisping.
Arrange the cut pork belly bites in a single layer within your air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding, as this is key to achieving maximum crispiness. Cook in batches if necessary.
Lightly season the top of the pork belly bites with your favorite BBQ seasoning. Remember, the Kirkland sous vide pork belly is already cured and salted, so a light touch is best to prevent over-salting.
Air fry the pork belly for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). There’s no need to preheat your Ninja Foodi or most other air fryers for this step, saving you even more time.
After 5 minutes, carefully flip each pork belly piece, apply another light dusting of seasoning, and air fry for an additional 3 minutes at 400°F (200°C). This ensures even crisping on all sides.
Always verify that the pork belly has reached a safe internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) using an instant-read thermometer. Once it’s reached this temperature, your perfectly cooked pork belly is ready to serve and enjoy.
Optional BBQ Glaze: For an extra layer of flavor, transfer the cooked pork belly to a bowl and gently toss with about ¼ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Return the coated pork belly to the air fryer in a single layer and air fry for 3 more minutes at 400°F (200°C) to caramelize the sauce.
Serve these delicious BBQ pork belly bites with toothpicks for an effortless and highly addictive appetizer that everyone will love!
⏲ Roasting Costco Sous Vide Pork Belly Strips in the Oven
Cooking Costco’s sous vide pork belly in the oven is another straightforward method that yields wonderfully tender and slightly crispy results. This is ideal if you prefer not to use an air fryer or are cooking a larger batch. Here are the simple oven instructions, often found directly on the Costco packaging:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Arrange the pork belly slices in a single layer on a rimmed metal baking pan. Ensure there’s enough space between slices for even cooking and browning.
Bake the pork belly until it’s beautifully browned and has reached an internal temperature greater than 145°F (63°C), held for at least 15 seconds. Always use a reliable meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
🤔 Searing Sliced Pork Belly on the Stove
For a quick and direct cooking method, the stovetop is an excellent choice for Costco’s sous vide pork belly. It allows for precise control over the crispness. If your packaging is damaged or hard to read, here are the stovetop directions for perfectly seared pork belly:
Heat a cast iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Place the pork belly slices in a single layer in the hot pan. (The packaging sometimes suggests adding a couple of tablespoons of juices from the packaging to the pan while cooking; this is optional but can add moisture.)
Sear the pork belly on both sides until it’s nicely browned and caramelized, reaching a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for at least 15 seconds. It’s crucial to watch it closely during this process, as pork belly can go from perfectly crisp to burnt very quickly due to its fat content.
🔥 Grilling Costco Sous Vide Pork Belly Strips
For a smoky flavor and delightful char, heating your sous vide pork belly strips on the grill is an excellent option. The grill adds a unique dimension to the already delicious cured and smoked pork. Here are the simple grilling directions, as provided on Costco’s packaging:
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, place the pork belly strips in a single layer directly on the grill grates. Avoid overcrowding the grill to ensure even heat distribution.
After approximately 2 minutes, when the edges begin to show browning and char marks appear, use tongs to flip the pork belly slices to the other side.
Continue cooking until the pork belly is nicely browned on both sides and registers an internal temperature greater than 145°F (63°C) for at least 15 seconds. Use a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
📋 Costco Pork Belly Calories
A single slice of plain Costco sous vide pork belly contains approximately 320 calories. Each box typically includes 10 slices, offering multiple servings. If you opt for BBQ pork belly, the caloric content will be higher, depending on the specific barbecue sauce used. Always consider any additions when calculating nutritional values.
⭐ Nutritional Profile of Costco Pork Belly
Understanding the nutritional content of Costco pork belly, especially the sous vide variety, can help you fit it into your dietary plan. Here’s a breakdown for one standard slice of Costco sous vide pork belly (without additional seasonings or sauces):
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Total Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 590mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Net Carbs: 5g
- Total Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Potassium: 454mg
- Iron: 6% DV
- Calcium: 0% DV
As you can see, pork belly is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate food. It is naturally unsuitable for vegan or vegetarian diets, but can be an excellent addition to ketogenic or low-carb eating plans when consumed mindfully. Its rich fat content contributes significantly to its satisfying flavor and texture.
🥶 Storing Cooked Costco Pork Belly: Freezing and Refrigeration Tips
Proper storage is crucial for enjoying your Costco pork belly leftovers. Cooked pork belly freezes exceptionally well, allowing you to prepare larger batches and save them for future meals. To freeze, ensure it’s completely cooled, then store it in a freezer-safe container, a vacuum-sealed bag, or a freezer-storage bag with as much air pressed out as possible. When stored correctly, cooked pork belly can maintain its quality in the freezer for several months.
🌡 How long can pork belly stay in fridge?
Once cooked, Costco pork belly can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Always keep it in a tightly sealed, food-safe container to maintain freshness and prevent contamination. To reheat, simply place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for approximately 1 minute, or until warmed through.
🥔 Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Costco Pork Belly
Costco pork belly is incredibly versatile and makes a delicious addition to tacos, sliders, or simply enjoyed on its own. Its rich, savory flavor pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes that offer contrasting textures or balance its richness. Here are some fantastic food pairings to consider:
- Kale Apple Slaw: The crispness and slight tartness of a slaw beautifully cut through the richness of pork belly.
- Potatoes from a Can (or roasted potatoes): Potatoes provide a comforting, hearty base that complements the savory pork.
- Smoked Mac and Cheese: Creamy, cheesy pasta is a classic comfort food that pairs exquisitely with the fatty, flavorful pork belly.
- Baked Beans: Sweet and smoky baked beans offer a traditional BBQ accompaniment that works perfectly.
- Brussels Sprouts: Roasted or sautéed Brussels sprouts provide a slight bitterness and earthy flavor that balances the richness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Costco Pork Belly
What’s the Costco pork belly price (2024)?
How much does pork belly cost? As of our last update, pricing for Costco pork belly typically falls within these ranges: Swift whole pork belly is around $4.29 per pound, Costco raw pork belly strips are about $4.99 per pound, and the convenient Kirkland sous vide pork belly costs approximately $6.99 per pound. Please note that these prices are subject to change and may vary by specific Costco location and current promotions.
Is Costco pork belly cured?
Only one of Costco’s pork belly offerings is cured: the Kirkland Signature Sous Vide Pork Belly. This particular product undergoes a curing process, along with being smoked. In contrast, both the Swift whole pork belly and the raw sliced pork belly options from Costco are uncured, offering a more natural, unseasoned base for your cooking.
Is Costco pork belly fully cooked?
Among Costco’s selection, only the Kirkland Signature Sous Vide Pork Belly is fully cooked, making it an ideal choice for quick preparation as it merely needs to be heated through and browned. The Swift whole pork belly and the raw sliced pork belly, however, are raw products and require thorough cooking to a safe internal temperature before consumption.
Is pork belly and bacon the same thing?
While both pork belly and bacon originate from the belly of a pig, they are distinctly different products. Bacon is characteristically cured, smoked, and thinly sliced. Pork belly, on the other hand, is typically sold as a raw, uncured, and unsmoked cut, often in larger slabs or thicker slices. The Kirkland Signature Sous Vide Pork Belly at Costco is an exception, as it is cured and smoked, giving it a flavor and texture profile closer to a very thick-cut bacon, blurring the lines a bit.
👩🏻🍳 Discover More Delicious Costco Recipes
If you’re a fan of cooking with convenient and high-quality ingredients from Costco, you’re in luck! My site features a variety of recipes specifically designed for Costco products. Explore these other fantastic ideas:
- Costco Cauliflower Rice Recipes
- Easy Stuffed Peppers from Costco
- Effortless Costco Spanakopita Bake
Watch How to Make It!
Costco Pork Belly Recipe (How to Cook Kirkland Pork Belly)
Summer Yule
Learn how to cook Costco pork belly in the air fryer, oven, grill, or stove!
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Ingredients
- 1 package Costco pork belly (Kirkland Signature Sous Vide recommended)
- BBQ seasoning
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce (optional, for glazing)
Instructions
Note: These recipes use Costco’s fully cooked sous vide pork belly for ultimate convenience!
Costco Pork Belly in Ninja Foodi (Air Fryer):
- The box contains two packages of five pork belly slices. You will need four pork belly slices for this recipe.
- Cut each pork belly slice into 5 bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-inch (2.54 cm) wide.
- Place the pork belly bites in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
- Lightly season the top with BBQ seasoning (the pork belly is already salted).
- Air fry for 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C). No preheating is needed for most air fryers.
- Flip the pieces, season lightly again, and air fry for another 3 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) with an instant-read thermometer.
- Optional: For BBQ glazed bites, toss pork belly in ¼ cup BBQ sauce, then air fry for 3 more minutes at 400°F (200°C) in a single layer.
Costco Pork Belly in Oven:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Place pork belly slices in a single layer on a rimmed metal baking pan.
- Bake until browned and internal temp is greater than 145°F (63°C) for 15 seconds. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Costco Pork Belly on Stove:
- Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high. Place pork belly slices in a single layer. (Optional: add a couple tablespoons of juices from packaging.)
- Sear on both sides until browned and internal temp is greater than 145°F (63°C) for 15 seconds. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Costco Pork Belly on Grill:
- Heat grill to medium-high. Place pork belly strips in a single layer on the grill.
- Flip slices after about 2 minutes, once edges begin browning.
- Cook until browned and internal temp is greater than 145°F (63°C) for 15 seconds. Use a meat thermometer.
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). The nutrition information provided is for one Costco pork belly slice (sous vide). Nutrition information will vary depending on the BBQ seasoning and BBQ sauce you use.
Regardless of the type of Costco pork belly you choose, pork belly is a high fat and high calorie food. It should be thought of like bacon, more an added fat than a protein. One slice of pork belly gives you 252 calories from fat and only 52 calories from protein.
If you have a weight loss goal, I recommend thinking of pork belly as a small side or appetizer. Other foods, including lean proteins, non-starchy veggies, and slow carbs, should be the stars of your plate.
This will help bring the saturated fat in your meal down. Meanwhile, the filling protein, fiber, and fluid volume of the meal will go up. This may make it easier for you to feel full on fewer calories and maintain the calorie deficit needed for weight loss.
If you are on a keto or low carb diet, there are sugar free BBQ sauces available that you can use. However, I still recommend remaining mindful of your pork belly intake. Some find it easy to sabotage their weight loss efforts on low carb diets with excessive intake of high fat foods.
Nutrition information is for one slice of Costco pork belly (sous vide) without BBQ seasoning or sauce. This is equivalent to 5 pork belly bites.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 5g
Protein: 13g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Sodium: 590mg
Potassium: 454mg
Iron: 6% DV
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