Slow Simmered Chinese Red-Braised Pork Belly

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

Tender pork belly slowly simmered in a rich soy and star anise sauce until melt-in-your-mouth soft and deeply flavorful. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 115 minutes pairs 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 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 100 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb pork belly into 2-inch cubes. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat and brown the pork belly pieces for 4-5 minutes until lightly caramelized on all sides.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 slices of ginger and 2 cut green onion stalks to the pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 2 tbsp brown sugar, stirring to coat the pork evenly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup water and 2 star anise pieces, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and cover partially. Simmer for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze.
  5. Step 5: Remove star anise and discard. Serve the rich red-braised pork belly over steamed rice while hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Simmered Chinese Red-Braised Pork Belly take to make?

Total time is about 115 minutes (15 min prep + 100 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 Red-Braised 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 pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Simmered Chinese Red-Braised 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 Red-Braised 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 Red-Braised 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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