Braised Demon-Style Pork Belly with Sweet Soy Glaze

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

Tender pork belly slow-braised in a rich sweet soy glaze inspired by mythical demon king flavors, creating a deep umami and caramelized finish. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 125 minutes pairs pork belly, skin on, dark soy sauce, mirin 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: 110 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb pork belly into 1.5-inch cubes and pat dry. Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add pork belly and sear for 5 minutes until browned on all sides and the edges start to caramelize.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 smashed garlic cloves and 1 inch sliced ginger to the pot, sauté with pork for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 cup water. Stir gently to combine and bring to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Cover pot, reduce heat to low, and braise pork belly for 1.5 hours until tender and sauce is thickened and glossy.
  5. Step 5: Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high and cook for another 10 minutes to reduce sauce further, coating the pork cubes.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped scallions before serving warm over steamed rice or noodles.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Demon-Style Pork Belly with Sweet Soy Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 125 minutes (15 min prep + 110 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 Demon-Style Pork Belly with Sweet 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 on from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Demon-Style Pork Belly with Sweet 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 Demon-Style Pork Belly with Sweet 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 Demon-Style Pork Belly with Sweet 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.

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