Hunan-Style Braised Pork Belly with Lotus Root
Rich pork belly slowly braised with crunchy lotus root in a savory, slightly sweet Hunan sauce. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 85 minutes pairs pork belly, lotus root, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
- 8 oz, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick lotus root
- 1 inch piece, sliced ginger
- 3 cloves, smashed garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 1 tsp dried chili flakes
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1 lb pork belly cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes until golden and the fat begins to render.
- Step 2: Add 1 inch sliced ginger, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 1 tsp dried chili flakes; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tbsp rock sugar, mixing well to coat the pork.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low, simmering gently for 45 minutes.
- Step 5: Add 8 oz sliced lotus root and 2 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces, cover again and cook for an additional 20 minutes until lotus root is tender but still crisp.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, discard scallions and ginger slices, and serve the pork belly and lotus root with steamed jasmine rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hunan-Style Braised Pork Belly with Lotus Root take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 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 Hunan-Style Braised Pork Belly with Lotus Root?
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 Hunan-Style Braised Pork Belly with Lotus Root?
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 Hunan-Style Braised Pork Belly with Lotus Root 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 Hunan-Style Braised Pork Belly with Lotus Root?
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.
