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Recipe Pairing

Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Tender pork belly bites glazed with a smoky bourbon-maple chipotle sauce, perfect for a neighborhood dinner party appetizer that pairs beautifully with rich bourbons.

Best Pairing Answer

The best bourbon pairing for Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce is Elijah Craig Barrel Proof. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

The Recipe

Ingredients & Instructions

Everything you need to make this dish at home.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds pork belly, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
  • Toothpicks, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Season the pork belly cubes generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  2. Arrange the pork belly pieces in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Roast in the oven for about 1 hour, turning halfway through, until the pork belly is tender and the edges are crispy.
  4. While the pork is roasting, combine bourbon, maple syrup, chopped chipotle peppers, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and minced garlic in a small saucepan.
  5. Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, and reduce until slightly thickened, about 10-12 minutes.
  6. Remove the pork belly from the oven and toss gently with half of the bourbon-chipotle glaze.
  7. Return the glazed pork belly to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
  8. Transfer the pork belly bites to a serving platter, drizzle with remaining glaze, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, and serve with toothpicks for easy eating.

Top Matches

Best Bourbon Pairings for Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Ranked bourbon recommendations for this recipe.

featured
95%

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Barrel Proof Bourbon 65.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Oak, Caramel, Dark Chocolate Clove, Cherry, Leather
Pairing Score 95%
featured
95%

George T. Stagg Standard

Barrel Proof Bourbon 62.50% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

George T. Stagg Standard complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Dark Cherry, Oak, Vanilla Tobacco, Cocoa, Spice
Pairing Score 95%
featured
95%

Henry McKenna Single Barrel

Single Barrel Bourbon 50.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Henry McKenna Single Barrel complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Caramel, Honey, Oak Baking Spice, Orange, Leather
Pairing Score 95%
featured
93%

Old Forester 1920

Bourbon 57.50% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Old Forester 1920 complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Dark Caramel, Cocoa, Oak Cherry, Baking Spice, Coffee
Pairing Score 93%
featured
93%

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year

Wheated Bourbon 53.50% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Caramel, Oak, Vanilla Leather, Dark Fruit, Tobacco
Pairing Score 93%
featured
93%

Stagg Jr. Standard

Barrel Proof Bourbon 65.50% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Stagg Jr. Standard complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Dark Cherry, Oak, Caramel Cocoa, Leather, Clove
Pairing Score 93%
featured
91%

Booker’s Standard

Barrel Proof Bourbon 63.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Booker’s Standard complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Oak, Caramel, Vanilla Peanut, Baking Spice, Smoke
Pairing Score 91%
featured
91%

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Barrel Proof Bourbon 58.40% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Wild Turkey Rare Breed complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Spice, Vanilla, Caramel Roasted Nuts, Orange Peel, Oak
Pairing Score 91%
featured
90%

Heaven Hill 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond

Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon 50.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Heaven Hill 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Caramel, Vanilla, Oak Peanut Brittle, Spice, Citrus
Pairing Score 90%
featured
90%

Knob Creek Rye

Rye 50.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Knob Creek Rye complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Rye Spice, Oak, Vanilla Dill, Herbal, Caramel
Pairing Score 90%
featured
90%

Knob Creek Single Barrel

Single Barrel Bourbon 60.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Knob Creek Single Barrel complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Caramel, Oak, Vanilla Toffee, Spice, Peanut
Pairing Score 90%
featured
90%

Knob Creek Standard

Bourbon 50.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Maple Chipotle Sauce

Knob Creek Standard complements this pork dish and its roasting profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors.

Oak, Vanilla, Caramel Peanut, Maple, Spice
Pairing Score 90%