Crispy Ginger-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Bok Choy
Slow-simmered pork belly glazed in a sweet-savory ginger-soy reduction, served atop tender bok choy for a balanced meal. This chinese-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 50 minutes pairs pork belly, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs pork belly
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1.5 tbsp brown sugar
- 1.5 tbsp fresh ginger
- 2 heads bok choy
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim excess fat from 1.25 lbs pork belly and cut into 1-inch thick slices. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1.5 tbsp brown sugar, 1.5 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and 1/4 cup water until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add pork belly slices and cook 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove pork and set aside.
- Step 4: Add 1 tsp sesame oil to the skillet. Add 2 heads bok choy, cut into 2-inch pieces, and stir-fry for 3 minutes until slightly wilted.
- Step 5: Return pork to the skillet. Pour sauce mixture over pork and bok choy. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, turning pork occasionally, until pork is tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 6: Serve immediately, spooning excess sauce over pork and bok choy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crispy Ginger-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Bok Choy take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 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 Crispy Ginger-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Bok Choy?
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 Crispy Ginger-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Bok Choy?
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 Crispy Ginger-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Bok Choy 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 Crispy Ginger-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Bok Choy?
Chinese bbq & smoked 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely delicious! The pork belly was tender and the glaze stuck perfectly. Served with rice and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
Best pork belly recipe I've tried. The glaze was sweet and savory without being overpowering.
- ★★★★★
This recipe turned out amazing. The bok choy absorbed the glaze beautifully. Will make again!