Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich

How to Make the Ultimate Nashville Hot Pork Belly SandwichHow to Make the Ultimate Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich

If you love bold, spicy flavors and juicy, tender pork belly, then this Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich is a must-try. Inspired by the legendary Nashville hot chicken sandwich, this recipe swaps out chicken for rich, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, coated in a fiery butter glaze.

Piled onto a buttery brioche bun with crunchy pickles and creamy coleslaw, this sandwich is pure indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and smokiness
• Tender, juicy pork belly that melts in your mouth
• Hot honey glaze that takes the spice level up a notch
• Cool and crunchy coleslaw to balance out the heat
• Brioche buns that add a soft, slightly sweet contrast to the spicy filling

Ingredients You’ll Need for Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich

For the Pork Belly

• 3 pounds of skinless pork belly
• 1 quart buttermilk
• 8 oz cup of pickle juice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter
• SPG seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic powder blend)
• BBQ rub
• Sandwich dill chips
• Brioche buns
• Mayonnaise

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

For the Coleslaw

• 2 cups classic coleslaw mix
• 1/3 cup mayo
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions for Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich

1. Cube and Brine the Pork Belly

Start by cubing the pork belly into 1.5 x 1.5 inch cubes.

In a large bowl, combine buttermilk, pickle juice, and 1/4 cup of Nashville Hot Seasoning. Let the pork belly cubes brine for at least 4 hours or overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.

2. Season and Smoke the Pork Belly

After brining, remove the pork belly from the liquid and pat it dry with paper towels. Season with SPG seasoning and a light BBQ rub.

Preheat your smoker to 250°F and use cherry or apple wood for a mild, slightly sweet smoke flavor.

Place the pork belly cubes on the smoker and let them cook for 3 hours, ensuring they develop a golden brown crust.

3. Prepare the Nashville Hot Butter Glaze

While the pork belly is smoking, melt 5 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Stir in 1/4 cup of the Nashville Hot Seasoning and 1 tbsp brown sugar until well combined. This will create a rich, spicy butter glaze.

4. Braise the Pork Belly in Nashville Hot Butter

Transfer the smoked pork belly cubes to a foil pan and pour the Nashville hot butter glaze over them.

Cover the pan tightly with foil and place it back on the smoker for another hour, allowing the pork belly to absorb the spicy, buttery goodness.

The pork belly is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F—tender and juicy!

5. Make the Coleslaw

While the pork belly finishes cooking, mix together coleslaw mix, mayo, sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to assemble the sandwiches.

6. Assemble the Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich

• 6. Assemble the Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich
• Toast brioche buns for a buttery, golden brown crunch.
• Spread a thin layer of mayo on the bottom bun.
• Add a layer of sandwich dill chips for a tangy bite.
• Pile on the smoked and glazed pork belly.
• Spoon over some of the Nashville hot butter glaze from the foil pan.
• Top with coleslaw for a cool, creamy contrast.
• Place the top bun on and get ready to enjoy!

Pro Tips for the Best Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich

• Don’t skip the brine! It infuses the pork belly with tangy, spicy flavors and keeps it juicy.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork belly is perfectly cooked.
• Toast the brioche buns for a crisp texture that holds up to the rich fillings.
• Adjust the heat level by tweaking the cayenne pepper in the seasoning.
• Serve with hot honey drizzle for an extra sweet-spicy kick!

What to Serve with Your Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich

Pair your spicy sandwich with:

• Crispy fries or sweet potato fries
• Mac and cheese for a creamy side
• Cornbread to balance the heat
• Pickled veggies for extra tang

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, this Nashville Hot Pork Belly Sandwich is going to blow you away. With smoky, and spicy cube pork belly, creamy coleslaw, and buttery brioche buns, this is the ultimate indulgence.

Whether you’re making it for a weekend cookout, game day, or just because you crave bold flavors, this recipe is a guaranteed hit!

Give it a try and let us know how you liked it! Don’t forget to share your masterpiece with us on social media. Enjoy!

Other Delicious Recipes to try!

Crispy Nashville Hot Pork Belly with Guacamole

This dish takes crispy, golden brown Nashville hot pork belly and pairs it with cool, creamy guacamole for the ultimate contrast in flavors. The spicy, smoky pork belly is coated in hot honey butter, while the guacamole adds a refreshing touch. Serve it as a taco filling or on its own for a bold appetizer.

Nashville Hot Pork Belly Burnt Ends

These smoky, spicy, and caramelized burnt ends are a must-try for BBQ lovers. Cube pork belly is brined, smoked to perfection, and tossed in a rich Nashville hot butter glaze before being slow-cooked until irresistibly tender. The result? Bite-sized pieces of crispy, melt-in-your-mouth pork with an addicting heat.

Brisket Street Corn Tacos

A delicious fusion of Texas-style smoked brisket and Mexican street corn, these tacos are packed with flavor. Juicy, smoky brisket slices are loaded into warm tortillas and topped with creamy, tangy elote-style corn, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese for the perfect bite.

Grilled Steak with Cowboy Butter

This grilled steak is elevated with a flavorful cowboy butter sauce, packed with garlic, lemon, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and a hint of spice. Seared over high heat to lock in the juices, this steak pairs beautifully with the rich, buttery sauce for a truly indulgent meal.

Print