Juicy Pork Belly Egg Rolls

You know what’s always a hit at parties? Pork belly egg rolls.

These crispy rolls take the rich, savory goodness of pork belly and wrap it up in a crunchy package that’s hard to resist. Fresh vegetables and aromatics add just the right balance to the tender meat inside.

The filling gets extra flavor from a blend of Asian-inspired seasonings, all tucked into a wrapper that turns golden brown when fried. A quick dipping sauce made with soy and ginger brings everything together.

It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears fast – perfectly suited for game day gatherings or casual weekend get-togethers.

What Kind of Pork Should I Use?

For these egg rolls, you’ll want to use ground pork that has a good amount of fat content – around 20% fat is ideal for keeping the filling juicy and flavorful. Regular ground pork from the grocery store works perfectly fine, but if you’re feeling ambitious, you can ask your butcher to grind some pork belly for an extra-rich result. If the meat looks too lean, you might want to mix in a bit of ground pork belly to add more fat. Just make sure your ground pork is fresh and hasn’t been frozen and thawed multiple times, as this can affect both the texture and flavor of your egg rolls.

Options for Substitutions

Need to make some swaps? Here are some helpful substitutions for this egg roll recipe:

• Minced pork: Ground chicken or turkey work great as alternatives. You can even use crumbled firm tofu for a vegetarian version – just make sure to press it well to remove excess moisture.
• Oyster sauce: If you need a vegetarian option or can’t find oyster sauce, use hoisin sauce or mushroom sauce instead. You might want to reduce the soy sauce slightly since these alternatives are usually saltier.
• White pepper: Black pepper works fine here – the main difference will be visual, as you’ll see little black specks in the filling.
• Green cabbage: Napa cabbage or savoy cabbage can be used instead. Just remember to squeeze out any extra moisture after shredding.
• Egg roll wrappers: These are pretty essential for egg rolls, but in a pinch, you can use spring roll wrappers – they’ll be crispier and more delicate. Just note that the wrapping technique might need to be adjusted.
• Apricot preserves: For the dipping sauce, peach or plum preserves make good substitutes. You can also use honey mixed with a bit of rice vinegar for a different but tasty twist.
• Sweet chili sauce: Mix equal parts honey and sriracha sauce as a substitute, or use duck sauce if you prefer something less spicy.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making egg rolls is overfilling the wrappers, which can lead to bursting during frying – stick to about 3 tablespoons of filling per wrapper and leave enough space around the edges for proper sealing. A common mistake is not draining the filling mixture well enough before wrapping, as excess moisture can make the wrapper soggy and cause oil splatters during frying – try cooking the filling until any liquid has evaporated and let it cool completely before assembly. For perfectly crispy results, maintain your oil temperature between 350-375°F (use a thermometer!), and don’t overcrowd the pan – frying too many egg rolls at once will lower the oil temperature and make them greasy instead of crispy. When sealing the wrappers, make sure to press out any air pockets and seal the edges thoroughly with water, as trapped air can cause the egg rolls to burst open while frying.

What to Serve With Egg Rolls?

These crispy pork belly egg rolls are perfect for serving alongside other Asian-inspired dishes to create a complete meal. A simple bowl of steamed rice makes a great base, while a side of stir-fried vegetables adds color and nutrition to your plate. For a fun appetizer spread, serve these egg rolls with other finger foods like chicken satay, dumplings, or crispy wontons. You can also turn this into a lighter meal by serving the egg rolls on top of a crunchy Asian-style slaw dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil, or alongside a bowl of hot and sour soup.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your egg rolls have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. The paper towels help absorb any excess moisture and keep the wrappers from getting too soft.

Freeze: These egg rolls are perfect for making ahead and freezing! After cooking, let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer bag in a single layer. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Pro tip: freeze them on a baking sheet first until solid, then transfer to the bag to prevent them from sticking together.

Crisp Up: To get your egg rolls crispy again, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes if refrigerated, or 15-20 minutes if frozen. You can also use an air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes. Avoid microwaving as this will make them soggy!

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	30-45 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2500-2800
• Protein: 70-80 g
• Fat: 150-170 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

• ¾ pound minced pork
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
• ½ teaspoon soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅓ head shredded green cabbage (about 10 ounces or roughly 4 ½ cups)
• 1 julienned carrot (approximately 3 ½ ounces or around 1 cup)
• ½ thinly sliced yellow onion (about 2 ounces or about 1 cup)
• 2 sliced green onions
• 1 package of egg roll wrappers (roughly 15 wrappers)
• 3 cups oil for frying
• ½ cup apricot preserves
• ½ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Step 1: Cook the Pork and Vegetables

Begin by adding sesame oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the ground pork.

Brown the pork for 5-6 minutes, seasoning it with oyster sauce, soy sauce, salt, white pepper, and garlic powder.

Use a wooden spoon to break it apart into fine pieces.

Once the pork is cooked through, add all the vegetables.

Stir to combine with the pork and continue to stir fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.

Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the pork egg roll filling to a large bowl lined with paper towels.

Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Prepare for Assembly

Line a quarter sheet pan with wax paper or parchment paper and set aside.

Fill a small bowl with water and place it within reach.

Arrange the pork egg roll filling, egg roll wrappers, and the bowl of water within arm’s reach of your assembly area.

Step 3: Assemble the Egg Rolls

Once the filling has cooled, take an egg roll wrapper and place it on your work surface, oriented in a diamond shape with one point facing you.

Spoon about ⅓ cup of the cooled pork filling onto the center of the wrapper.

Fold the point closest to you over the filling.

Next, fold the left and right points toward the center over the filling.

Roll the filling away from you toward the last point to form an egg roll.

Moisten the final point with a little water using your fingertips and press it against the roll to seal.

Ensure a tight wrap for best results.

Transfer the completed egg roll to the prepared baking sheet.

Repeat the process with the remaining filling until all the egg rolls are assembled.

Set them aside as you prepare to fry or store them in a parchment-lined airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day.

Step 4: Fry the Egg Rolls

Add frying oil to a 10-inch skillet, filling it about halfway.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of approximately 350-375°F.

Carefully place the egg rolls in the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet.

Fry each egg roll for 1 to 1.5 minutes until the bottom is golden, then flip and cook for an additional minute until the entire roll is golden and crisp.

Transfer the fried egg rolls to a plate lined with paper towels.

Allow the oil to return to temperature between batches before continuing to fry the next set.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the egg rolls warm for the best taste, ideally straight from the pan.

You can enjoy them with Mom’s duck sauce or alongside a variety of other pupus and dim sum dishes like pork siu mai dumplings, sesame chicken wings, char siu bao, and stir-fried noodles.

Enjoy!