Braised Pork Belly

Indulge in the rich, melt-in-your-mouth decadence of Braised Pork Belly, a timeless dish that combines tender, slow-cooked meat with a harmonious blend of aromatic spices and savory-sweet flavors. This recipe begins with golden-seared pork belly, gently simmered for hours in a flavorful braising liquid made from soy sauce, rice wine, star anise, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar. Infused with garlic, ginger, and onions, the slow-cooking process yields irresistibly tender pork coated in a luscious, glossy sauce. Perfect for pairing with steamed rice or silky noodles, this comforting dish is garnished with fresh green onions for a pop of color and flavor. With its fragrant aroma and richly layered taste, Braised Pork Belly is a show-stopping recipe that’s perfect for cozy family meals or special occasions.

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork belly
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 inch fresh ginger
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup rice wine or dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cups water
• 3 green onions
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the ingredients by slicing the onion into thin strips. Thinly slice the garlic cloves and ginger.

Step 2

Rinse the pork belly under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut the pork belly into 2-inch squares.

Step 3

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork belly pieces and sear them until they are golden brown on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the pork belly from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add the sliced onion, garlic, and ginger. Stir fry until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the star anise and cinnamon stick to the pot, then return the pork belly to the pot.

Step 6

Pour in the soy sauce and rice wine, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Step 7

Add the brown sugar, stirring to dissolve it in the liquid. Then, add the water, ensuring the pork belly is mostly submerged.

Step 8

Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the pork belly simmer gently for 2-3 hours, until the meat is tender and absorbs the flavors.

Step 9

Check occasionally to make sure the liquid level remains stable, adding more water if necessary.

Step 10

Once the pork belly is tender, remove the lid and raise the heat to medium to reduce the sauce slightly, about 10-15 minutes.

Step 11

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with sliced green onions before serving.

Step 12

Serve the braised pork belly hot, with steamed rice or noodles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2105.4 grams (2105.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5582

Total Fat 509.70g	653%
Saturated Fat 179.00g	895%
Polyunsaturated Fat 17.20g
Cholesterol 653mg	218%
Sodium 11106mg	483%
Total Carbohydrate 70.50g	26%
Dietary Fiber 7.90g	28%
Total Sugars 24.50g
Protein 114.00g	228%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 355mg	27%
Iron 13mg	71%
Potassium 2697mg	57%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 86.1%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 5.3%