Tamarind-Glazed Pork Belly Bites with Thai Basil and Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated 2026-05-14

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Succulent pork belly bites glazed with tangy tamarind sauce, balanced by spicy Thai chili and fragrant fresh basil for a flavorful appetizer or snack. This Thai-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs pork belly, tamarind paste, fish 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Thai cuisine 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
2 tbsp tamarind paste
1 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2, thinly sliced fresh Thai red chilies
1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
for serving lime wedges

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 minced garlic cloves until sugar dissolves.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cubed pork belly and sear for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until edges are crispy and browned.
Step 3: Pour the tamarind glaze over the pork belly in the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the pork belly pieces with a sticky shine.
Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 thinly sliced fresh Thai red chilies and 1/4 cup fresh Thai basil leaves. Toss gently to combine and release the basil aroma.
Step 5: Serve warm with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the pork bites.