Cantonese Style Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub
Crispy roasted pork belly seasoned with aromatic five-spice powder and salt, delivering a perfect balance of crackling skin and tender meat. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 85 minutes pairs skin on pork belly, Chinese five-spice powder, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, skin on pork belly
- 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Using a sharp knife, score the skin of the 2 lbs pork belly into 1/2-inch squares without cutting into the meat.
- Step 2: Rub the meat side of the pork belly evenly with 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp garlic powder, massaging the spices into the flesh.
- Step 3: Flip the pork belly skin side up and brush the skin thoroughly with 2 tbsp white vinegar, then 1 tbsp vegetable oil to help crisp the skin.
- Step 4: Place the pork belly on a wire rack over a baking tray lined with foil. Refrigerate uncovered for at least 4 hours or overnight to dry out the skin.
- Step 5: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roast the pork belly for 40 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and roast for an additional 30 minutes until the skin is bubbly and crisp.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces to serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cantonese Style Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 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 Cantonese Style Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub?
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 skin on pork belly from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cantonese Style Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub?
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 Cantonese Style Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub 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 Cantonese Style Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice Rub?
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.
