Middle Kingdom Five-Spice Braised Pork Belly

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Succulent pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant five-spice and soy sauce broth, yielding tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites inspired by Central Kingdom flavors. This chinese-inspired middle eastern ready in about 150 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch cubes pork belly, vegetable oil, inch piece, sliced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 135 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork belly cubes and sear on all sides, about 6-8 minutes, until golden brown and crispy edges develop. Remove pork and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium, add 1-inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 2 whole star anise to the pot. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, then add 3 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine. Cook for 1 minute to combine.
  4. Step 4: Return pork belly to pot and pour in 2 cups water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 2 hours until pork is tender and sauce is thick.
  5. Step 5: Remove lid and simmer uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to reduce sauce further.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 2 chopped scallion stalks before serving over steamed rice or greens.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Middle Kingdom Five-Spice Braised Pork Belly take to make?

Total time is about 150 minutes (15 min prep + 135 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 Middle Kingdom Five-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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Middle Kingdom Five-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 Middle Kingdom Five-Spice Braised Pork Belly 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 Middle Kingdom Five-Spice Braised Pork Belly?

Chinese middle eastern 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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