Tangy Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly with Jasmine Rice

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

Slow-cooked pork belly glazed with a savory-sweet caramel sauce, served over fragrant jasmine rice for a classic Vietnamese favorite. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 55 minutes pairs fish sauce, brown sugar, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 550 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 2 cups uncooked jasmine rice under cold water until water runs clear. Cook rice in a rice cooker or pot with 3 cups water according to package instructions, set aside and keep warm.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb pork belly cubes and sear for 4-5 minutes until browned on all sides and fat starts to render.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar and let it melt and caramelize, coating the pork.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 cup water, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes until pork is tender and sauce thickens to a sticky glaze.
  5. Step 5: Serve the caramelized pork belly over the warm jasmine rice and garnish with 2 thinly sliced scallions for freshness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tangy Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly with Jasmine Rice take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Tangy Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly with Jasmine Rice?

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 fish sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tangy Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly with Jasmine Rice?

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 Tangy Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly with Jasmine Rice 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 Tangy Vietnamese Caramelized Pork Belly with Jasmine Rice?

Vietnamese 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.

Related recipes