Braised Chinese-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy

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

Rich pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant blend of soy sauce, star anise, and aromatics until tender and deeply flavorful, perfect over steamed rice. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 135 minutes pairs pork belly, cut into 2-inch cubes, soy sauce, dark soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 6, 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: 120 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add 2 pounds pork belly cubes and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce, 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1-inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 3 star anise pods to the pot.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 2 hours until pork is tender and sauce is thickened.
  4. Step 4: Remove star anise and discard. Transfer pork to serving dish and spoon sauce over. Garnish with 2 chopped scallions. Serve hot with steamed rice to enjoy the rich, aromatic pork belly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Chinese-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy take to make?

Total time is about 135 minutes (15 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 Chinese-Style 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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Chinese-Style 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 Chinese-Style Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Style 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.

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