Slow-Cooked Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly (Thịt Kho)

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

Rich and tender pork belly slowly braised in a savory caramel sauce with coconut juice and traditional Vietnamese spices. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 135 minutes pairs pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes, coconut water, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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 6 Vietnamese 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 3 sliced shallots and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and golden brown.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 tbsp brown sugar to the pot and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and turns a deep amber caramel color, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Immediately add 2 lbs cubed pork belly and stir to coat with the caramel sauce. Cook for 5 minutes until pork starts to brown.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup coconut water, 4 tbsp fish sauce, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours until pork is tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Optional: In the last 30 minutes, add 4 peeled hard boiled eggs to the pot to soak up the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly (Thịt Kho) 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-Cooked Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly (Thịt Kho)?

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 coconut water from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly (Thịt Kho)?

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-Cooked Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly (Thịt Kho) for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Cooked Vietnamese Caramel Pork Belly (Thịt Kho)?

Vietnamese 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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