Slow-Simmered Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slowly simmered in a fragrant Chinese five-spice broth, delivering a rich and authentic flavor perfect for a comforting meal. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 145 minutes pairs pounds pork belly, teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder, tablespoons soy sauce 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 130 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds pork belly cut into 2-inch cubes and sear for 5 minutes until golden on all sides.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 smashed garlic cloves, 2-inch sliced ginger, and 3 cut green onions to the pot, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar, coating the pork evenly.
  4. Step 4: Pour 3 cups water into the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 2 hours until pork is tender and the sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork pieces and reduce sauce uncovered for 10 minutes on medium heat until it coats the back of a spoon. Return pork to the sauce, warm through, and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly take to make?

Total time is about 145 minutes (15 min prep + 130 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-Simmered Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly?

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 pounds pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly?

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-Simmered Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly 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-Simmered Chinese Five-Spice Pork Belly?

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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