Low-Simmered Asian Pork Belly with Ginger and Soy
Succulent pork belly slowly simmered in a ginger-soy broth until tender and flavorful, perfect for a comforting Asian-inspired meal. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 135 minutes pairs cut into 1.5-inch pieces pork belly, inch piece, sliced thinly fresh ginger, smashed garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch pieces pork belly
- 2-inch piece, sliced thinly fresh ginger
- 5 cloves, smashed garlic cloves
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cups water
- 3, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 whole pods star anise
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 2 lbs pork belly pieces and sear for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides.
- Step 2: Add 2-inch thinly sliced fresh ginger, 5 smashed garlic cloves, 3 cut scallions, 2 whole star anise pods, and 1 tsp black peppercorns; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 cups water; stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover partially with a lid, and simmer gently for 2 hours until pork belly is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly, stirring every 30 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove star anise and scallions before serving with steamed rice or vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Simmered Asian Pork Belly with Ginger and Soy take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 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 Low-Simmered Asian Pork Belly with Ginger and Soy?
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 smashed garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Simmered Asian Pork Belly with Ginger and Soy?
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 Low-Simmered Asian Pork Belly with Ginger and Soy for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Low-Simmered Asian Pork Belly with Ginger and Soy?
Asian 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.
