Slow Cooker Chinese-Style Pork Belly with Five-Spice

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

Tender pork belly slow-cooked in a fragrant five-spice and soy sauce marinade, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth meat with a glossy, savory glaze. This chinese-inspired slow cooker ready in about 435 minutes pairs skin scored 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 650 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: 420 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp five-spice powder until sugar dissolves.
  2. Step 2: Place 2 lbs pork belly with scored skin into the slow cooker and add 4 smashed garlic cloves and 2-inch sliced ginger around it.
  3. Step 3: Pour the soy sauce mixture over the pork belly, then add 1 cup water to the slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until the pork belly is tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the pork belly to a serving plate, spoon some sauce over the top, and garnish with 2 sliced scallions before serving with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Chinese-Style Pork Belly with Five-Spice 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-Style Pork Belly with Five-Spice?

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-Style Pork Belly with Five-Spice?

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-Style Pork Belly with Five-Spice 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 Cooker Chinese-Style Pork Belly with Five-Spice?

Chinese slow cooker 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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