How to Quickly Thaw Smoked Pork Belly

Place the meat on a microwave-safe plate with a layer of paper towel underneath. Cover the plate with a paper towel. If the plate is large, use two sheets to cover the bottom. The paper towel will help absorb excess fat that drips from the meat. Remove the meat from its packaging and place it on the towel.

• Spread the pieces of meat out as much as possible to speed up the thawing process. If the pieces are stuck together, thaw them for two minutes first before spreading them out on the plate. This will make them easier to separate.

Cover the meat with a paper towel. The fat in smoked pork belly tends to splatter, making a mess in your microwave, so it’s best to cover the meat with a paper towel to prevent grease from flying out.

Press the defrost button on your microwave. If your microwave requires you to input the weight of the meat, check the packaging and enter the correct number listed on it. The microwave will use this information to set the defrost time. If your microwave has an automatic defrost mode, simply press the "meat defrost" button and start it. The microwave will adjust the time for you.

• If the smoked pork belly is out of its packaging, use a kitchen scale to weigh the meat.
• The defrosting time for smoked pork belly in the microwave usually takes less than 15 minutes.

Cook the meat immediately after thawing. Once the microwave finishes, carefully remove the plate with the meat and place it on the table. Take off the paper towel and cook the meat right away to avoid any bacterial growth that could lead to illness. You can fry the smoked pork belly in a pan, bake it in the oven, or microwave it again.

Store cooked smoked pork belly in the fridge for up to 5 days. Place the cooked smoked pork belly in an airtight container before storing it in the fridge. Do not eat it if it has a strange or unpleasant smell.

Place the smoked pork belly in a sealed bag if the original packaging is opened. If the packaging of the meat has been opened or is torn, you must transfer the meat into a sealed bag to prevent water and bacteria from entering. A zippered plastic bag is ideal for this task as it is easy to open and close.

• You can buy water-resistant plastic bags at the supermarket.
• Leave the meat in its original packaging if it is still intact.

Soak the smoked pork belly in cold water. Fill a large basin or sink with cold water and immerse the water-resistant package of meat to soak.

• Do not use the sink for soaking meat if you need to wash dishes within the next hour.

Change the water every 30 minutes until the meat is fully thawed. The soaking water will warm up, especially if you live in a warm climate. You need to change the water every 30 minutes to ensure the meat continues to thaw quickly. Once thawed, the smoked pork belly will become tender, not tough.

• Half a pound of smoked pork belly will thaw in about 1 hour.

Cook the meat in the oven, skillet, or microwave. The smoked pork belly should be cooked immediately after thawing to prevent bacteria growth. You can use your preferred cooking method to prepare the smoked pork belly, even if it isn't fully thawed.

Store cooked smoked pork belly in the fridge for up to 5 days. Place the cooked pork belly in a sealed container and store it in the fridge. Be sure not to eat it if it has an unpleasant odor.

• If you wish to store cooked smoked pork belly for later use, you can keep it in a sealed container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Use any of the methods mentioned above to thaw the meat.