Braised Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Star Anise

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

Succulent pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant mixture of Chinese five-spice and star anise, resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat with a glossy, richly flavored sauce. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 75 minutes pairs pork belly, soy sauce, dark soy sauce 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1.5 pounds pork belly into 2-inch chunks and pat dry. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and brown pork pieces on all sides for about 5 minutes until golden and slightly crispy.
  2. Step 2: Add 1-inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 green onions cut into 2-inch pieces to the pot, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine, and 2 tbsp brown sugar. Stir to coat the pork, then add 2 cups water, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, and 3 whole star anise.
  4. Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover partially. Simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until pork is tender and sauce has thickened to a glossy sheen.
  5. Step 5: Remove star anise and green onions before serving. Serve hot with steamed white rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Star Anise take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Star Anise?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Star Anise?

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 Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Star Anise 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 Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Star Anise?

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.

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