Miso-Braised Pork Belly with Mirin Glaze

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

Tender pork belly slow-cooked in a savory-sweet miso glaze that soaks deep into the meat for rich umami flavor. This japanese-inspired one pot (gluten-free) ready in about 125 minutes pairs pork belly, white miso paste, mirin 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: 20 min Cook: 105 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim excess fat from pork belly and cut into 1-inch thick pieces. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp miso paste, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Place pork belly pieces in a shallow baking dish, pour the miso mixture over them, and rub to coat evenly. Cover with parchment paper.
  4. Step 4: Bake at 325°F for 1 hour 45 minutes, basting every 30 minutes with the accumulated juices until the glaze is sticky and deeply browned.
  5. Step 5: Remove parchment, drizzle with 1 tsp sesame oil, and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Miso-Braised Pork Belly with Mirin Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 125 minutes (20 min prep + 105 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 Miso-Braised Pork Belly with Mirin Glaze?

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 Miso-Braised Pork Belly with Mirin Glaze?

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 Miso-Braised Pork Belly with Mirin Glaze 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.

Is Miso-Braised Pork Belly with Mirin Glaze gluten-free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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