Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise

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

Rich pork belly slowly braised in a savory soy and star anise sauce until tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs pork belly, skin scored, soy sauce, dark soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 2 lbs pork belly into 2-inch pieces with the skin scored. Blanch the pork in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.
  2. Step 2: In a heavy pot, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1/4 cup rice wine, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 whole star anise, 1-inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  3. Step 3: Add the pork belly pieces to the pot, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened and coats the meat.
  4. Step 4: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped scallions before serving. Enjoy with steamed rice or buns.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 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 Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise?

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 belly, skin scored from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise?

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 Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise 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 Chinese-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise?

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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