Laotian Tamarind and Chili Glazed Pork Belly

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Succulent pork belly slow-cooked until tender and coated with a tangy tamarind and chili glaze that balances sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. This Asian-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs tamarind paste, fish sauce, palm sugar or brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 Cook: 55 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb pork belly, skin removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 red Thai chili, finely chopped
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped red Thai chili, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Add 1 lb pork belly cubes to the skillet, browning on all sides for about 5 minutes.
Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp palm sugar, and 1/2 cup water. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 45 minutes until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens to a sticky glaze.
Step 4: Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high, cooking for an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the glaze coats the pork with a shiny finish.
Step 5: Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves before serving with steamed jasmine rice.