Slow-Simmered Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramelized in Fish Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich pork belly slowly braised in a sweet and savory caramel fish sauce glaze until tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. This vietnamese-inspired vietnamese ready in about 85 minutes pairs pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes, fish sauce, brown sugar 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 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 70 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 3 thinly sliced shallots, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and golden.
  2. Step 2: Add 600 g 1-inch cubed pork belly to the pot and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp brown sugar and cook for 2 minutes until sugar melts and starts to caramelize, coating the pork.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 4 tbsp fish sauce and 1 cup water, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
  5. Step 5: Cover the pot and simmer the pork belly for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened to a glossy glaze.
  6. Step 6: Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper, stir well, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped scallions before serving.
  7. Step 7: Serve the caramelized pork belly hot with steamed rice or steamed greens.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramelized in Fish Sauce 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 Caramelized in Fish Sauce?

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 fish sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Vietnamese Pork Belly Caramelized in Fish Sauce?

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 Caramelized in Fish Sauce 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 Caramelized in Fish Sauce?

Vietnamese vietnamese 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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