How to Make Crispy Nashville Hot Pork Belly with Guacamole
Crispy pork belly meets the fiery heat of Nashville hot seasoning, all balanced with a creamy, fresh guacamole. This easy recipe delivers tender meat, golden brown pork skin, and bold flavors. Whether you fry the pork belly in oil or opt for an air fryer, the result is irresistible.
Follow along as we break down every step to achieve the perfect crispy pork belly with homemade guacamole.
Ingredients for Crispy Nashville Hot Pork Belly with Guacamole
For the Pork Belly:
- 3 pounds of pork belly
- 3 tbsp SPG blend (salt, pepper, garlic powder)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil (binder)
- 1 quart of oil for frying
Guacamole Ingredients:
- 3 ripe avocados
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 diced jalapeño
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper

Nashville Hot Seasoning:
- 1/4 cup cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- 2 tsp black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions for Crispy Nashville Hot Pork Belly with Guacamole
1. Prepare the Pork Belly
Start by preparing the pork belly the night before. Generously salt the fat cap to draw out excess moisture. Let it sit uncovered in the refrigerator overnight on a wire rack.
2. Make the Homemade Nashville Hot Seasoning
In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix it thoroughly. You can store this in an airtight container to have it on hand and use it on other proteins.
Note: To adjust the level of heat with this seasoning, add or reduce the amount of cayenne pepper accordingly.

3. Slice and Season
The next day, wipe off any excess salt and moisture with paper towels. Cut the pork belly into thick slices, about 2 inches wide.

Coat the slices with avocado oil as a binder, then evenly season with SPG blend and a little bit of Nashville Hot seasoning to add some color to the pork belly.

3. Smoke the Pork Belly
Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees F. Insert the MEATER Pro or any meat thermometer into one of the thick slices.
Place the pork belly on a wire rack inside the smoker and cook for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees F.

4. Make the Guacamole
While the pork belly smokes, prepare the fresh guacamole. In a small bowl, mash the avocados with lime juice. Mix in the diced red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

5. Fry the Pork Belly
Once the pork belly reaches 180 degrees F, it’s time to fry.
Heat 1 quart of avocado oil in a large cooking pot to 350 degrees F. Carefully fry the pork belly pieces for 3 minutes per side until crispy and golden brown.

Alternatively, you can use an air fryer at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
6. Prepare the Nashville Hot Sauce
In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of the hot frying oil with 1/4 cup of Nashville Hot seasoning.

Brush this spicy mixture onto both sides of the crispy pork belly. This will give the pork belly added flavor on the exterior of the meat, making it super delicious!

7. Serve and Enjoy
Plate the crispy pork belly with a generous serving of homemade guacamole.
Serve hot and enjoy the perfect balance of crunchy, spicy, and creamy textures!

Pro Tips for Perfect Crispy Pork Belly
- Use a wire rack when refrigerating the pork belly overnight to allow air circulation and crisp up the pork skin.
- Monitor oil temperature closely when frying to ensure an even golden brown crust. The oil should be at 350° F – anything hotter may burn the pork belly.
- For less heat, adjust the cayenne in the Nashville Hot seasoning to your spice tolerance.
This crispy Nashville Hot pork belly with guacamole is an absolute game-changer. The rich, tender meat combined with the spicy glaze and creamy guacamole makes it a must-try. Whether you’re making it for a gathering or just indulging in a delicious meal, this recipe will not disappoint!
Other Delicious Recipes to Try!
Nashville Hot Pork Belly Burnt Ends
These spicy, smoky, and crispy pork belly burnt ends are a true flavor bomb. Smoked low and slow and coated in a bold Nashville hot sauce, they deliver a fiery kick with every bite. Serve them with pickles or bread to balance the heat!
Korean BBQ Burnt Ends
A fusion of smoky barbecue and Korean flavors, these burnt ends are glazed in a sweet and spicy gochujang-based sauce. Caramelized to perfection with crispy edges and juicy centers, they make an irresistible appetizer or main dish. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for an authentic touch.
Original Crispy Pork Belly with Guacamole
This dish combines ultra-crispy pork belly with creamy homemade guacamole for a perfect balance of texture and flavor. The rich, golden brown pork skin and tender meat contrast beautifully with the fresh, zesty guacamole. Serve as an appetizer or taco filling for a delicious twist.
Smoked BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Loaded with smoky, tender beef and slathered in tangy barbecue sauce, these sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food. The beef is slow-smoked until fall-apart tender, then piled onto soft buns with crunchy slaw and pickles. Perfect for backyard cookouts or game day feasts!
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Crispy Nashville Hot Pork Belly with Guacamole
Crispy Nashville Hot Pork Belly with Guacamole is quite an experience. Crispy and spicy pork belly that’s been smoked served with fresh, creamy guacamole. This will be one of the best things you’ve ever had!
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of pork belly
- 3 tbsp SPG blend
- 2 tbsp avocado oil (binder)
- 1 quart of oil for frying
Fresh Guacamole
- 3 ripe avocados
- ¼ cup red onion
- 1 diced jalapeños
- ¼ cup cilantro
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Nashville Hot Seasoning
- ¼ cup cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- 2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Take a 2-3 pounds of pork belly and heavily salt the fat cap overnight to help remove moisture
- Wipe excess salt off and cut into 2 inch thick strips
- Use Avocado oil as a binder, then season the meat with salt pepper and garlic powder on all sides.
- Smoke the pork belly at 250° F for 3 hours until they reach an internal temp of 180°F
- Make the guacamole by mixing ingredients in a bowl, then refrigerate. 3 ripe avocados, ¼ cup red onion, 1 diced jalapeños, ¼ cup cilantro, juice from 1 lime, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp sea salt and 1 tsp black pepper
- Fry them in 350° F degree avocado oil for 3 mins each side. You can also do this in the air fryer instead.
- In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of hot oil with ¼ cup Nashville Hot seasoning. Brush the Nashville Hot Seasoning on both sides of the pork belly.
- Serve with the fresh guac and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours