Authentic Chinese Braised Pork Belly

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich and tender braised pork dish with soy sauce, star anise, and ginger. This chinese-inspired asian ready in about 60 minutes pairs pork belly (cut into 1-inch cubes), soy sauce, star anise for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 2 Chinese cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then add 1 tbsp minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 tbsp grated ginger and cook for 1 minute.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 star anise, cooking for 2 minutes until the aromatics are caramelized. Add 200g pork belly cubes and sear for 3-4 minutes until browned.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup water, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens. Serve with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Chinese Braised Pork Belly take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic Chinese Braised Pork Belly?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Chinese Braised Pork Belly?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic Chinese Braised Pork Belly for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic Chinese Braised Pork Belly?

Chinese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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