Caramelized Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly (Thit Kho)

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

Rich and tender pork belly slowly braised in a caramel sauce with coconut water and aromatic spices, a beloved Vietnamese comfort dish. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 90 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly, coconut water, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 540 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: 75 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 540 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 3 thinly sliced shallots and 5 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and golden.
  2. Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs cubed pork belly to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the edges begin to brown and render fat.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp dark brown sugar and cook for 3 minutes, allowing the sugar to melt and caramelize to a deep amber color, coating the pork.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup coconut water and 1/4 cup fish sauce, then add 1 tsp black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and braise the pork for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and the pork is tender.
  6. Step 6: Add 4 peeled hard-boiled eggs to the pot during the last 15 minutes of cooking to soak up the caramel sauce.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 sliced scallions before serving with steamed jasmine rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Caramelized Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly (Thit Kho) take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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 Caramelized Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly (Thit Kho)?

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 coconut water from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Caramelized Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly (Thit Kho)?

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 Caramelized Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly (Thit Kho) 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 Caramelized Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly (Thit Kho)?

Vietnamese 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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