Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice
Rich and tender pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant five-spice and soy sauce mixture for a classic Chinese flavor. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 135 minutes pairs dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork belly, skin removed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp five-spice powder
- 1 inch piece ginger, sliced
- 5 cloves garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 2 pounds cubed pork belly and sear for 5-7 minutes until edges are golden and some fat renders.
- Step 2: Stir in 5 smashed garlic cloves and 1 inch sliced ginger, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1/4 cup dark soy sauce, 1/4 cup light soy sauce, 3 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon five-spice powder. Mix well to coat pork.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 1/2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and cover. Simmer gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until pork is tender and sauce is thickened.
- Step 5: Remove ginger and garlic pieces. Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving with steamed buns or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice?
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 dark soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice?
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 Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice 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 Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Five-Spice?
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.
