Chinese Twice-Cooked Pork Belly with Spicy Bean Paste

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

Sliced pork belly is first boiled, then stir-fried with spicy fermented bean paste and vegetables for a richly flavored dish with layers of texture. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 40 minutes pairs pork belly, water, ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1 pound of sliced pork belly into a pot with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for 20 minutes until the pork is cooked but still firm. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger and 3 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons Sichuan broad bean chili paste and cook for 1 minute, releasing its aroma.
  4. Step 4: Add the boiled pork belly slices, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir-fry for 5 minutes until the pork edges start to crisp and the sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Toss in 3 scallions cut into 2-inch lengths and 1 julienned green bell pepper. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chinese Twice-Cooked Pork Belly with Spicy Bean Paste take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Twice-Cooked Pork Belly with Spicy Bean Paste?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chinese Twice-Cooked Pork Belly with Spicy Bean Paste?

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 Twice-Cooked Pork Belly with Spicy Bean Paste 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 Twice-Cooked Pork Belly with Spicy Bean Paste?

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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