Vietnamese-Style Caramel Pork with Jasmine Rice

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

Tender pork belly simmered in a rich caramel sauce infused with fish sauce and aromatic spices, served over fluffy jasmine rice. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 65 minutes pairs pork belly, sugar, 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: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup sugar and cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and turns a deep amber caramel color, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Immediately add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced shallots, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb cubed pork belly and 3 tbsp fish sauce, stirring to coat pork in caramel mixture. Cook pork for 5 minutes until lightly browned.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup water, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook gently for 45 minutes until pork is tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper. Serve pork over 4 cups steamed jasmine rice, garnished with 1/4 cup fresh cilantro and optional 1 small sliced red chili for heat.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Style Caramel Pork with Jasmine Rice take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Vietnamese-Style Caramel Pork 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 pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Style Caramel Pork 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 Vietnamese-Style Caramel Pork 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 Vietnamese-Style Caramel Pork 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.

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