Soy-Glazed Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Vegetables

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

Soft steamed bao buns filled with tender soy-glazed pork belly and vibrant crunchy pickled vegetables for a balanced, flavorful Asian street food experience. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs (60ml) soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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: 15 min Serves 6 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Add 1 lb sliced pork belly and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated pork belly slices and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until caramelized and tender with a rich soy glaze.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup rice vinegar with 1 tbsp sugar and a pinch of salt until dissolved. Add 1 julienned carrot and 1/2 cup julienned daikon radish. Toss and let pickle for 15 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Warm 6 pre-made steamed bao buns according to package instructions.
  5. Step 5: To assemble, open each bao bun and fill with 2-3 pieces of soy-glazed pork belly, a generous spoonful of pickled vegetables, and garnish with thinly sliced scallions. Serve immediately while warm.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Glazed Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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-Glazed Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Vegetables?

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 (60ml) soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Soy-Glazed Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Vegetables?

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-Glazed Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Vegetables for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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-Glazed Pork Belly Bao Buns with Pickled Vegetables?

Asian 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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