Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Morning Aromatics
Tender pork belly slowly braised in a rich soy and ginger broth infused with morning aromatics for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 135 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch cubes 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 520 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
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 2-inch cubes pork belly
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2-inch piece, sliced fresh ginger
- 4 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces scallions (green onions)
- 2 whole star anise
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- for serving cooked jasmine rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs pork belly cubes and sear for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are browned and edges slightly crisp.
- Step 2: Add 2-inch sliced fresh ginger, 4 scallion stalks cut into 2-inch pieces, and 2 whole star anise to the pot, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 cups water. Stir gently to combine and bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until pork is tender and sauce has thickened and deepened in color.
- Step 5: Remove star anise and scallions. Serve the braised pork belly hot over steamed jasmine rice, spooning the glossy sauce over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Morning Aromatics 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 Morning Aromatics?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Morning Aromatics?
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 Morning Aromatics 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 Morning Aromatics?
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.
