Slow-Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Ginger

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slow-braised in a fragrant broth of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic until melt-in-your-mouth soft. This japanese-inspired sushi ready in about 165 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks pork belly, soy sauce, mirin 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and brown 1.5 lbs pork belly chunks on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup mirin, 1/4 cup sake, 1 cup water, 2-inch sliced fresh ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces to the pot.
  3. Step 3: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and braise gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until the pork belly is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from the pot, strain sauce if desired, and serve the pork belly pieces drizzled with the braising liquid alongside steamed rice or vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Ginger take to make?

Total time is about 165 minutes (15 min prep + 150 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 Pork Belly with Soy and Ginger?

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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Ginger?

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 Pork Belly with Soy and Ginger 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 Pork Belly with Soy and Ginger?

Japanese sushi 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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