Pork Belly Chili Recipe (Moo Pad Prik)

Name: Pork Belly Chili Recipe (Moo Pad Prik)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 10.5 ounces pork belly (thinly sliced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 4 chilies (bird's eye chilies, finely chopped, add to taste); 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon white sugar; 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; 1/2 teaspoon flavor seasoning (see notes); 1/8 cup green onions (finely chopped)

Jump to Recipe

Pork belly chili recipe – your new go-to for a quick and easy Thai stir-fry. Packed with garlic, seasoned to perfection, and tossed with simple ingredients and refreshing green onions, it’s the perfect dish for busy weeknights. Ready in 20 minutes and surprisingly delicious with rice!

Pork belly chili garlic stir-fry garnished with green onions and chopped chilies, served with jasmine rice.

Looking for more thinly sliced pork belly recipes? Check out this authentic pad kana moo krob and easy Thai basil pork belly.

What is pork belly chili

Pork belly chili, or moo pad prik, is a Thai stir-fry with chilies and garlic blending savory and spicy flavors. This dish is known for its spicy kick, typically achieved by using fresh Thai chilies, but the spice level can be adjusted to suit everyone’s taste.

The name moo pad prik breaks down into “moo” meaning pork, “pad” meaning stir-fried, and “prik” referring to chili peppers.

Moo pad prik, Thai pork belly stir-fry, served with steamed rice.

Chili garlic pork belly recipe

This recipe is all about that crispy stir-fried pork belly – crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. We’re tossing in garlic, chilies, a dash of white pepper, and just the right pinch of salt.

Simple ingredients, easy preparation, and totally yummy.

Pork belly in chili is a one-pan wonder that’s so good, you’ll want to at serve it up at all your family gatherings or fancy weekend dinners.

Close-up of Thai garlic pork belly stir-fry with garlic and chilies.

Each bite of the chili garlic pork belly is surprisingly delicious and doesn’t disappoint, with just the right amount of spice. Those thin slices of pork belly are like flavor sponges, soaking up all the good stuff.

What I love the most? You don’t need a fancy pantry to whip up this easy recipe.

A few basic ingredients, probably sitting in your kitchen right now, are all you need for this simple pork belly stir-fry.

It’s a great dish to customize, too; spice it up or throw in your favorite vegetables. This Thai dish is foolproof and perfect for any home cook!

Ingredients

Ingredients can be sourced at Asian grocery stores and Asian markets.
The exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Pork belly – Opt for a cut of pork belly with a balance between fat and meat to achieve a crispy yet tender texture.
Chilies – I used Thai bird’s eye chilies. For a milder dish, feel free to sub with mild chilies or remove the seeds.
Garlic – Garlic is a key ingredient in Asian stir-fries, adding aroma and depth.
White pepper – Adds a subtle heat that rounds out the taste. Feel free to garnish with more white pepper.
Flavor seasoning (RosDee) – Flavor seasoning is a common ingredient in Thai cuisine, available at Asian grocery stores or online at Amazon. It’s a flavor enhancer that’s easy to use in lots of dishes like stir-fries and soups.
White sugar – Just a sprinkle of sugar is perfect for balancing out the salty and spicy flavors. Thai cooking is all about balancing out the key flavors.
Salt
Green onions – Chopped green onions (scallions) add freshness and a pop of color. They’re the perfect garnish.

Short recipe video

@hungryinthailand.com
Pork belly with chili and garlic. #thaifood #porkbellyrecipes #thaifoodlover #foodblog
♬ นี่มันหน้าร้อนหรือน่ารัก – Bonnadol

How to make moo pad prik

1. Fry the pork belly in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Cook until done and the fat begins to render. Remove the fat from the pan.

Fried pork belly with chilies and garlic in a wok.

2. Add finely chopped chilies and garlic to the pork belly. Stir them in until fragrant. Then, add white sugar, salt, flavor seasoning, and white pepper. Stir-fry everything together.

Stir-fried pork belly with garlic and chilies, finished with green onions.

3. Once everything is well mixed, turn off the heat and sprinkle with green onions, giving the dish a final toss to mix. Serve immediately with rice.

Kitchen tools

Cutting board & chef’s knife
Large wok pan with spatula
Measuring spoons & cups
Bowl: To collect the rendered pork belly fat. For your next stir-fry, swap out the usual oil and use this rendered pork fat instead. It’s packed with flavor and adds a rich depth to future stir-fries. Natural pork fat has its perks health-wise, and it’s free from trans fats.

How to serve Chili pork belly

This fried pork belly chili recipe pairs perfect with rice. The rice perfectly complements the pork, ideal for a main course. Serve with a crispy fried egg, the runny yolk enriches the flavors and mellows down the spice.

Garnishing options

Chopped green onions
Chopped chili peppers
Cilantro
Basil

How to store and reheat

Keep your pork belly chili stir-fry tasting as good as the day you made it. Let it cool to room temperature and transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheating instructions: Simply reheat your leftover fried pork belly with garlic and chilies in a skillet over medium heat until hot. Use the microwave if you’re short on time.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this recipe with other protein?

Totally! The pork belly can be swapped or other protein like chicken, pork tenderloin, beef, shrimp, or even tofu.

What vegetables can I add to the recipe?

Feel free to add your favorite stir-fry vegetables like Chinese broccoli, onions, ginger, carrot, green beans, etc.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can stir-fry ahead of time and reheat it when you’re ready.

Authentic Thai pork belly recipes

Loved reading this pork belly chili recipe? Please make my day by dropping a star rating and/or a comment below!