Coconut-Lemongrass Glazed Pork Belly Bites

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly cubes glazed with a coconut and lemongrass sauce, pan-seared until caramelized and served with a tropical twist. This asian fusion-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs coconut milk, fresh lemongrass stalk, finely minced, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 15 min Serves 4 Asian Fusion cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 minced lemongrass stalk, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh lime juice until the sugar dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb pork belly cubes to the marinade, toss to coat evenly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork belly cubes from the marinade, reserving the liquid. Sear the pork in the skillet for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until browned and caramelized on all sides.
  5. Step 5: Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the pork belly, stirring frequently.
  6. Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Remove from heat and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Coconut-Lemongrass Glazed Pork Belly Bites take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Coconut-Lemongrass Glazed Pork Belly Bites?

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 milk from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Coconut-Lemongrass Glazed Pork Belly Bites?

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 Coconut-Lemongrass Glazed Pork Belly Bites 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 Coconut-Lemongrass Glazed Pork Belly Bites?

Asian Fusion 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.

Related recipes