Authentic Chinese Braised Pork Belly
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.
Ingredients
- 200g pork belly (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 pieces star anise
- 1 tbsp ginger (grated)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
