If you're working with pork that's already, say, 20% fat, you may not need to add any at all. ... You can usually buy pork fat straight from a butcher — just ask for it.

Since pork belly has a high fat content, most recipes call to break down the excess collagen in the meat. You can do this with a low-and-slow cooking method like braising.

That fat helps make the meat juicy and tender, not to mention flavorful. On a slice of plant-based pork belly from the San Francisco startup Lypid, those layers of fat are clearly visible—but in ...