Caramelized Vietnamese Braised Pork Belly (Thit Kho)

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 540 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

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.

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes