Caramelized Ginger and Coconut Braised Pork Belly

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-25 · Updated 2026-07-25

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a rich caramelized ginger and coconut sauce, delivering sweet, savory, and aromatic layers. This Vietnamese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs pork belly, ginger root, shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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 pounds, cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
• 3-inch piece, julienned ginger root
• 3 medium, thinly sliced shallots
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2, thinly sliced for garnish scallions

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup brown sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until it melts and turns deep amber caramel color, about 4-5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Quickly add 2 pounds cubed pork belly to the caramel, stirring to coat each piece and sear for 5 minutes until edges start to brown and caramelize.
3. Step 3: Add 3-inch julienned ginger root and 3 thinly sliced shallots, sautéing with pork for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup coconut milk, 1 cup water, and 3 tablespoons fish sauce. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until pork is tender and sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and adjust saltiness if needed. Remove lid and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to reduce sauce to a glossy glaze.
6. Step 6: Transfer pork belly to a serving dish, sprinkle 2 thinly sliced scallions on top, and serve with steamed jasmine rice and steamed greens for a rich and satisfying meal.