Sticky Sweet Pork Belly
Sticky Sweet Pork Belly
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds pork belly, skin on, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Pat the pork belly cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork belly in a single layer, skin-side down first if possible, and sear until golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Remove the seared pork belly and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pot.
⏱️ 15 min
- 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and fresh ginger to the pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Pour in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until the brown sugar is dissolved.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Return the seared pork belly to the pot. Ensure the pork is mostly submerged in the sauce. If not, add a little more water. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 45 minutes, or until the pork belly is fork-tender.
⏱️ 45 min
- 6
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of water and the cornstarch to create a slurry.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Remove the lid from the pot and increase the heat to medium-high. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Serve the sticky sweet pork belly hot, garnished with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and a side of stir-fried vegetables.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Sticky Sweet Pork Belly
- 1 1/2 pounds pork belly, skin on, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 4 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Pat the pork belly cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork belly in a single layer, skin-side down first if possible, and sear until golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Remove the seared pork belly and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pot.
⏱️ 15 min - 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and fresh ginger to the pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Pour in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until the brown sugar is dissolved.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Return the seared pork belly to the pot. Ensure the pork is mostly submerged in the sauce. If not, add a little more water. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 45 minutes, or until the pork belly is fork-tender.
⏱️ 45 min - 6
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of water and the cornstarch to create a slurry.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Remove the lid from the pot and increase the heat to medium-high. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Serve the sticky sweet pork belly hot, garnished with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and a side of stir-fried vegetables.
⏱️ 1 min