Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy
Rich pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant blend of soy, star anise, and ginger, yielding tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites infused with deep Cantonese flavors. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 80 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly, vegetable oil, sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp, sliced ginger
- 3, smashed garlic cloves
- 2 whole star anise
- 4 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rock sugar or brown sugar
- 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 cup water
- 2 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb pork belly cubes, searing for 4-5 minutes until browned on all sides.
- Step 2: Add 1 tbsp sliced ginger, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 whole star anise to the pot, stirring for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp rock sugar, and 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine. Stir to coat the pork evenly and dissolve the sugar.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup water and 2 scallion stalks cut into 2-inch pieces. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour until pork is tender and the sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Remove scallions and star anise before serving the braised pork belly hot with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (15 min prep + 65 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 Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy?
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 Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy 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 Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy?
Chinese 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.
