Slow-Braised Pork with Five-Spice and Wreaths of Smoke
Tender slow-braised pork shoulder enriched with warm five-spice and smoky aromatics, evoking the image of swirling smoke wreaths from traditional incense. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs pork shoulder, five-spice powder, ginger root 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, cut into 2-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 2 tsp five-spice powder
- 1-inch piece, sliced ginger root
- 5 cloves, smashed garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 3 whole pieces star anise
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Toss 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes with 2 tsp five-spice powder evenly coating all sides.
- Step 3: Add pork to the pot and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes, until edges develop a rich golden crust.
- Step 4: Add 1-inch sliced ginger root, 5 smashed garlic cloves, 3 whole star anise, and 3 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 5: Pour in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 cups water. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover pot partially with lid, and simmer gently for 2 hours or until pork is fork-tender and the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze.
- Step 7: Remove scallions and star anise before serving the pork with steamed rice or steamed buns.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Pork with Five-Spice and Wreaths of Smoke take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 with Five-Spice and Wreaths of Smoke?
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 shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Pork with Five-Spice and Wreaths of Smoke?
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 with Five-Spice and Wreaths of Smoke 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 with Five-Spice and Wreaths of Smoke?
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.
