Slow-Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy

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

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant Cantonese-style soy and star anise sauce, delivering deep umami and subtle sweetness. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 145 minutes pairs pounds pork belly, dark soy sauce, light 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 130 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1.5 pounds pork belly into 2-inch cubes. Heat a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and add the pork belly pieces, searing for 4-5 minutes until sides are golden brown and rendered of some fat.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tbsp brown sugar to the pot, stirring to coat the pork belly evenly and caramelize the sugar for 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 whole star anise, 2-inch thinly sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 3 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces, and 2 cups water to just cover the pork. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 2 hours until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens.
  4. Step 4: Remove the lid and increase heat to medium. Cook uncovered for 10 more minutes until the sauce reduces and coats the pork belly, then stir in 1 tsp sesame oil for aroma before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy take to make?

Total time is about 145 minutes (15 min prep + 130 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 Slow-Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise 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 pounds pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise 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 Slow-Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy 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 Slow-Braised Cantonese Pork Belly with Star Anise and Soy?

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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