Soy-Garlic Glazed Pork Belly Skewers
Succulent pork belly chunks marinated in a savory soy-garlic glaze, grilled to caramelized perfection on skewers. This asian-inspired valentine’s day ready in about 27 minutes pairs pork belly, soy sauce, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 grams, cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 6, soaked in water for 20 minutes wooden skewers
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; whisk until well blended.
- Step 2: Add 500 grams of cubed pork belly to the marinade and toss to coat evenly; cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 3: Thread the marinated pork belly cubes onto 6 soaked wooden skewers, leaving a little space between pieces.
- Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, basting with remaining marinade, until pork is nicely caramelized and cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove from grill, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Garlic Glazed Pork Belly Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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-Garlic Glazed Pork Belly Skewers?
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-Garlic Glazed Pork Belly Skewers?
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-Garlic Glazed Pork Belly Skewers 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-Garlic Glazed Pork Belly Skewers?
Asian valentine’s day 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Authentic flavors! The garlic-soy balance was spot-on, and the pork belly stayed juicy even after grilling. Made it for my wife’s birthday, and she loved the traditional touch.
- ★★★★★
Easy to make but looked restaurant-quality. The glaze caramelized beautifully on the grill, and my family kept asking for seconds. Total Valentine’s win!
- ★★★★★
Best pork belly skewers I’ve ever had. The soy-garlic sauce was complex without being overpowering—paired perfectly with rice for our cozy dinner.
