Slow-Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice and Garlic

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

Pork belly slow-roasted until tender with a fragrant five-spice rub and garlic, finished with a crisp crackling skin. This chinese-inspired thai ready in about 215 minutes pairs pork belly, five-spice powder, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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: 200 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 600 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Pat 1 kg pork belly skin dry with paper towels, then rub 1 tbsp sea salt evenly into the scored skin and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix 2 tsp five-spice powder, 5 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mixture onto the meat side of the pork belly, avoiding the skin.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork belly on a rack in a roasting tray skin-side up. Drizzle 1 tbsp vegetable oil over the skin and rub it in to help crisping.
  4. Step 4: Roast in the oven for 3 hours until the meat is tender and the fat renders.
  5. Step 5: Increase oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and roast for an additional 20 minutes until the skin puffs up and becomes crisp crackling. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 215 minutes (15 min prep + 200 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-Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice and 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 pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice and 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-Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice and 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-Roasted Pork Belly with Five-Spice and Garlic?

Chinese thai 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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