This dish used to intimidate me, and I always found myself ordering it at my favourite Asian restaurants. But after trying it at home, I was pleasantly surprised to discover how simple it is to make melt-in-the-mouth, slow-cooked pork belly in a thick, sticky glaze. With just 15 minutes of preparation, you can create an impressive and truly delicious meal that will wow your guests.
Heat the olive oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet and cook the pork belly in batches for 5-8 minutes until browned and golden. Set aside.
Add the garlic, onions and ginger to the same pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened and fragrant. Don’t worry about cutting the ingredients too finely; they will break down in the delicious, sticky sauce.
Add the brown sugar, tamari (or all-purpose soy sauce), Chinese five-spice, star anise and 2 cups of water to the pan. Return the pork.
Bring to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, turn down to the lowest heat, place the lid on and cook for 2 hours. Check halfway and add 1/2 cup of water if the sauce is sticking to the base of the pan. The sauce will be thin but will caramelise in the last 10 minutes of the cooking time.
Once cooked, the pork should easily break apart with a fork. If not, cook in 15-minute intervals until soft, adding 1/4 cup of water as needed.
Once the pork is soft, remove the lid, and turn the heat to high for 5-10 minutes to let the sauce thicken. It is ready when the sauce is sticky and coats the pork.
Garnish with sliced chilli.
Serve with steamed rice and steamed greens.
Notes
MAKE AHEAD AND LEFTOVERS – Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring the pork is well covered in the sticky broth to prevent freezer burn. Best thawed completely overnight in the fridge before use. Reheat in the microwave or stove top with a splash of boiling water to help loosen the sauce.
Author:Nicole
Prep Time:15 mins
Cook Time:2 hours 45 mins
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