Layered 12-Spice Braised Pork Belly

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, succulent pork belly slowly braised in a blend of 12 aromatic spices, creating a deeply flavorful and tender dish perfect for a special meal. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs pork belly, soy sauce, dark soy sauce 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.

★ 4.6 (9 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1.5 lbs pork belly into 2-inch cubes. Blanch in boiling water for 3 minutes to remove impurities, then drain and rinse with warm water.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the blanched pork belly cubes. Sear them for 5 minutes, turning occasionally until lightly browned on all sides.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 2 tbsp brown sugar to the pot. Stir to coat the pork evenly and caramelize sugar for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 cups water, 2 whole star anise, 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches), 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, 4 whole cloves, 1 tsp fennel seeds, 3 whole cardamom pods, 2 bay leaves, 1-inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until pork is tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
  6. Step 6: Remove the whole spices and aromatics before serving the braised pork belly with steamed rice or buns.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Layered 12-Spice Braised Pork Belly take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Layered 12-Spice Braised 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 Layered 12-Spice Braised 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 Layered 12-Spice Braised 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 Layered 12-Spice Braised Pork Belly?

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.

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