Braised Pork Back with Aromatic Five-Spice Sauce

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

Slow-braised pork back simmered in a fragrant five-spice infused sauce, yielding tender meat with a deep, complex flavor. This Chinese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs pork back ribs, soy sauce, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 120 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds pork back ribs and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 chopped scallions to the pot. Stir for 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 cups water, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove the ribs and sauce from heat. Let the ribs rest for 10 minutes before serving with steamed rice or vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Pork Back with Aromatic Five-Spice Sauce 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 Pork Back with Aromatic Five-Spice Sauce?

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 back ribs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Pork Back with Aromatic Five-Spice Sauce?

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 Pork Back with Aromatic Five-Spice Sauce 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 Pork Back with Aromatic Five-Spice Sauce?

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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