Five-Spice Slow Cooked Pork Belly

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

Tender pork belly slow-cooked in a fragrant five-spice glaze, resulting in a rich, aromatic dish perfect with steamed rice and fresh greens. This Asian-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, pairs pork belly, five-spice powder, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 Serves 4 Asian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place trimmed pork belly in a slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix 1.5 tsp five-spice powder, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1 tsp sesame oil until combined.
  2. Step 2: Pour the sauce mixture over the pork belly, ensuring it's evenly coated. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until pork is fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork belly from slow cooker and let rest for 10 minutes. Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid, then reduce the liquid on the stovetop over medium heat for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Slice pork belly and serve with the reduced sauce and garnish of 2 sliced green onions, accompanied by steamed rice and a side of sautéed greens.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Five-Spice Slow Cooked Pork Belly take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 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 Five-Spice Slow Cooked Pork Belly?

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 Five-Spice Slow Cooked Pork Belly?

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 Five-Spice Slow Cooked Pork Belly 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 Five-Spice Slow Cooked Pork Belly?

Asian slow cooker 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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