Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Brown Sugar
Rich pork belly slowly braised in a fragrant soy sauce broth with star anise and caramelized brown sugar, delivering tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 105 minutes pairs vegetable oil, brown sugar, light 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.
Ingredients
- 500 g, skin on, cut into 1.5-inch cubes pork belly
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 cup water
- 2 whole star anise
- 3 slices ginger
- 3 cloves, smashed garlic cloves
- 1 stalk, cut into 2-inch pieces scallion
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 500 g pork belly cubes and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes until the edges turn golden.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 tbsp brown sugar and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sugar melts and caramelizes, coating the pork and turning a deep amber color.
- Step 3: Add 4 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 cup water, 2 whole star anise, 3 slices ginger, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 1 stalk scallion pieces; bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours until pork belly is tender and the sauce thickens to a rich glaze.
- Step 5: Remove star anise, ginger, garlic, and scallions before serving with steamed rice for a hearty main dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Brown Sugar take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 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 Star Anise and Brown Sugar?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Braised Pork Belly with Star Anise and Brown Sugar?
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 Star Anise and Brown Sugar 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 Star Anise and Brown Sugar?
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.
