Braised Asian-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy Glaze
Tender pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant broth of soy, star anise, and ginger for a rich, umami-packed dish with melt-in-your-mouth texture. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs pork belly, skin scored, vegetable oil, inch piece ginger, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2 lbs pork belly, skin scored
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 inch piece ginger, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 3 star anise pods
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice wine or dry sherry
- 2 cups water
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork belly with skin scored, sear each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crisp edges form.
- Step 2: Remove pork belly and set aside. In the same pot, add 1 inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 3 star anise pods. Sauté for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 3: Return pork belly to the pot. Add 1/2 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/4 cup rice wine, and 2 cups water. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Cover pot partially and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 2 hours, turning pork every 30 minutes, until the meat is tender and the sauce thickens and coats the pork.
- Step 5: Remove pork belly, slice into 1/2-inch pieces, and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1/2 tsp black pepper before serving with steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Asian-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Braised Asian-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy Glaze?
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 pork belly, skin scored from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Asian-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy Glaze?
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 Braised Asian-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Braised Asian-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy Glaze?
Asian pork 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.
