Slow Cooker Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Caramelized Garlic
Tender pork belly slow-cooked in aromatic Chinese five-spice and soy sauce, accented by rich caramelized garlic cloves for depth and sweetness. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 435 minutes pairs skin scored pork belly, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, skin scored pork belly
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 8 whole, peeled garlic cloves
- 1-inch piece, sliced thin ginger
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 sliced for garnish scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 lbs pork belly with scored skin. Rub evenly with 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder and 3 tbsp brown sugar, massaging the spices into the meat.
- Step 2: Place pork belly in a slow cooker. Add 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 8 whole peeled garlic cloves, and 1-inch thinly sliced ginger around the pork.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours until the pork is tender and falls apart easily.
- Step 4: Carefully remove pork belly from the slow cooker and set aside. Skim excess fat from the sauce and reduce the remaining liquid in a saucepan over medium-high heat until thick and caramelized, about 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Return the pork belly to the saucepan and coat with the thickened sauce. Garnish with 2 sliced scallions and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Caramelized Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 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 Cooker Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Caramelized Garlic?
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 skin scored pork belly from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Caramelized Garlic?
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 Cooker Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Caramelized Garlic 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 Cooker Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly with Caramelized Garlic?
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.
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