Sichuan-Style Twice-Cooked Pork Belly Stir Fry
Tender pork belly first simmered, then stir-fried with bold Sichuan chili paste and fresh vegetables for a spicy, savory dish. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 50 minutes pairs water, inch piece, sliced ginger, Sichuan chili bean paste (doubanjiang) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 3, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, skin removed, cut into 1/2-inch slices pork belly
- 4 cups water
- 1-inch piece, sliced ginger
- 2 tbsp Sichuan chili bean paste (doubanjiang)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, sliced into strips green bell pepper
- 3 stalks, chopped green onions
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp for garnish toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 lb pork belly and 1-inch sliced ginger in a pot with 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 20 minutes until the pork is tender but not falling apart. Remove pork and let cool, then slice into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp Sichuan chili bean paste and 3 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add sliced pork belly to the wok and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the edges start to crisp and brown.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 medium sliced green bell pepper. Continue stir-frying for 3 more minutes until the pepper softens but remains crisp.
- Step 5: Turn off heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir fry. Toss with 3 chopped green onions and sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving with steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sichuan-Style Twice-Cooked Pork Belly Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Sichuan-Style Twice-Cooked Pork Belly Stir Fry?
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 water from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Twice-Cooked Pork Belly Stir Fry?
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 Sichuan-Style Twice-Cooked Pork Belly Stir Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Sichuan-Style Twice-Cooked Pork Belly Stir Fry?
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.
