Slow-Simmered Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramel

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

Tender pork belly slow-cooked in a rich caramel sauce infused with fish sauce and star anise, a classic Vietnamese comfort food. This Vietnamese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs pork belly, vegetable oil, sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 70 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 3 tbsp sugar and 1/4 cup water, stirring occasionally until it turns a deep amber caramel color, about 5-7 minutes — watch carefully to avoid burning.
  2. Step 2: Immediately add 1.5 lbs pork belly cubes to the caramel and stir to coat the meat, cooking for 4 minutes until the edges start to brown and the caramel thickens slightly.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 thinly sliced shallots, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 2 whole star anise to the pot, stirring to combine and release fragrant aromas, about 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup water, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover partially. Let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and the sauce is thick and glossy.
  5. Step 5: Remove star anise, garnish with 2 chopped scallions, and serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramel take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 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 Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramel?

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 Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramel?

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 Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramel 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 Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramel?

Vietnamese 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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