Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Pickled Vegetables
Caramelized pork belly with a sticky-sweet glaze and a refreshing tangy crunch from quick-pickled vegetables. This asian-inspired recipe ready in about 45 minutes pairs soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 12 oz, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup, thinly sliced carrots
- 1 cup, thinly sliced daikon radish
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced red onion
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl. Add 12 oz cubed pork belly and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated pork belly and sear for 4 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
- Step 3: Pour marinade over pork, reduce heat to low, and simmer covered for 15 minutes until pork is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Step 4: While pork cooks, combine 1 cup thinly sliced carrots, 1 cup thinly sliced daikon, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes to pickle.
- Step 5: Serve pork belly hot with pickled vegetables, spooning extra sauce over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Pickled Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Pickled Vegetables?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Pickled Vegetables?
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 Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Pickled Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Honey-Soy Glazed Pork Belly with Pickled Vegetables?
Asian mains 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
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The pork belly was crispy and juicy, and the pickled veggies balanced the dish perfectly.
- ★★★★★
My family devoured the pork belly—crispy on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth inside. The pickled vegetables were the perfect tangy counterpoint.
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a game-changer! The honey-soy glaze caramelized beautifully and the pickled veggies cut the richness perfectly.
