Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy-Garlic Sauce

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

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a savory soy-garlic sauce infused with ginger and scallions, delivering rich, deep flavors. This Korean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs pork belly, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 75 min Serves 4 Korean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs of 1-inch cubed pork belly and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes until edges are crispy and golden.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and stir in 6 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce, 3 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 cup water. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 chopped scallions and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and let braise gently for 1 hour until pork is tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Remove the lid and cook uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to reduce the sauce to a glaze.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1 tsp sesame oil, garnish with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and serve hot with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy-Garlic Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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 Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy-Garlic Sauce?

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 Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy-Garlic Sauce?

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 Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy-Garlic Sauce 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 Korean-Style Braised Pork Belly with Soy-Garlic Sauce?

Korean 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.

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