Slow Braised Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise

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

Rich pork belly slowly braised in an aromatic soy and star anise broth until meltingly tender and deeply flavorful. This chinese ready in about 135 minutes pairs pork belly, vegetable oil, ginger 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: 120 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 heat. Add 1 lb pork belly cubes skin side down and sear for 5 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip and brown the other sides for 3 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 2-inch sliced ginger, 3 stalks green onions cut into 2-inch pieces, 3 whole star anise, and 1 cinnamon stick to the pot. Stir for 1 minute until aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup light soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine, and 2 cups water. Add 1 tbsp rock sugar and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Step 4: Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Let the pork belly braise slowly for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender and the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze.
  5. Step 5: Remove the star anise and cinnamon stick before serving the pork belly with steamed rice and sautéed greens.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Braised Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise take to make?

Total time is about 135 minutes (15 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 Red-Cooked Pork Belly with 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 Red-Cooked Pork Belly with 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 Red-Cooked Pork Belly with 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 Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise?

Chinese chinese 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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