Slow-Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise

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

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant soy and star anise sauce, yielding rich, melt-in-your-mouth bites. This chinese-inspired thai ready in about 110 minutes pairs pork belly, soy sauce, dark soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 95 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb pork belly cubes and sear for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides and fat begins to render.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 smashed garlic cloves, 1 inch sliced fresh ginger, and 3 whole star anise to the pot; sauté with the pork for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, coating the pork evenly. Pour in 1 cup water and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Step 4: Cover the pot and reduce heat to low; braise the pork belly for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 110 minutes (15 min prep + 95 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 Star Anise?

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 Slow-Braised Pork Belly with Soy and Star Anise?

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 Star Anise 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 Star Anise?

Chinese thai 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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