Soy-Braised Shanghainese Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise

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

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a richly flavoured soy and star anise broth until melt-in-your-mouth soft and glossy. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 85 minutes pairs pork belly, light soy sauce, dark 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 3, 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 3 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb pork belly into 2-inch cubes and blanch in boiling water for 5 minutes; drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat a wok over medium heat, add the blanched pork belly and 1 tbsp rock sugar; stir continuously until sugar melts and caramelizes, coating the pork with a rich amber glaze, about 3 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 2 whole star anise, 4 slices of ginger, and 2 cups water to the wok. Bring to a boil.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 stalks scallions cut into 2-inch pieces, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour until pork is tender and sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
  5. Step 5: Remove star anise and scallions, plate the pork belly cubes, and spoon the reduced sauce over before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Braised Shanghainese Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise 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 Soy-Braised Shanghainese Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise?

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 Soy-Braised Shanghainese Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise?

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 Shanghainese Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Shanghainese Red-Cooked Pork Belly with Star Anise?

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.

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