Sticky Chinese Pork Belly PLUS VIDEO!

This Sticky Chinese Pork Belly is one of my absolute favourite recipes on the blog. Check out my three step process for pork that’s meltingly tender, with a crispy exterior and gloriously sticky/sweet/spicy coating.

I wonder how many recipes I’ve published with sticky in the title…

Sticky chicken stir fry, Gingerbread cake with Stick Whisky glaze, sticky Asian sea bass this sticky pork belly and AT LEAST nine others (just did a quick count).  I’m all about the sticky.  Just call me sticky Nicky.

Actually don’t.  That sounds weird.

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I sometimes like to kid myself and call it caramelized – like this ‘caramelized beef brisket‘.  But at the end of the day, I just mean coated in some kind of sugar and then cooked until you reach the dark brown, shiny stage, creating an intense flavour that takes whatever you’ve just made to a whole new level.  How could anything finished in that way not taste amazing?

Let’s pick a few random foods and see….

• Kale (love my kale): Yes that’d work
• Toast: Oh my god yes.  That may even be better than French toast! Brown sugar caramelized toast with raspberries? Ok, I just sorted tomorrow’s breakfast.
• Chickpeas: Yeah, that could work as a beer snack
• Eggs: ok, you got me.  That’s probably going to taste disgusting (unless we’re talking Cadbury crème egg that is)

For this recipe, the sticky layer is added right at the end.  Don’t be fooled though.  Just because the pork hasn’t been marinating for hours, doesn’t mean it’s not going to taste amazing (I confused myself with double negatives there, but I’m basically saying it tastes amazing even though we’re only glazing at the end).

This pork actually has three layers of flavour.  The first coming from being slow-cooked in a pan (I use one similar to this one <–affiliate link) for 2 hours with stock, garlic, ginger, rice wine and a little sugar:

After cooking:

Slicing the meat:

The second layer comes from being crisped in a pan with a little vegetable oil and seasoning (it’s actually hard not to just stop right here and eat it from the pan like this):

The final layer coming from the soy/chilli/sugar/lemongrass and a couple of other ingredients that are stirred together:

and then poured over the fried pork:

Before bubbling away until thick and glossy:

That’s it.  Three layers of flavour in a simple recipe that really does take minimal effort.

I’m going back to that sticky toast and raspberry daydream now….

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, you can make it up to the end of step 2 (where the pork is slow cooked and then drained). Then quickly cool, cover and refrigerate (for up to two days) or freeze. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and frying the meat.

You can also make the sauce ahead, then cover and refrigerate it up to a day ahead.

Can I make it Gluten free?

Yes! Replace the soy sauce with tamari. I’ve done this several times and it works great.

Replace the rice wine with sherry (usually gluten free, but best to check).
Also make sure you use gluten free stock.

Vegetarian Option?

I haven’t tried this with a meat-like alternative, but my Asian-style cauliflower wings make a great alternative.

Can I use my slow cooker?

Yes, you can do the first stage in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Keep an eye on the level of liquid and top up with a little more if needed.

Equipment:

In order to make this recipe you will need:

• A good Kitchen knife.  In the video I use my Leiths knife however I have recently bought this Dalstrong one and love it.
• Chopping Board.
• Cast Iron Casserole Dish
• Jug
• Fying Pan/Skillet or a Wok
• Wooden or Silicon Coated Spoons.  We have just bought these and love them.
• A small mixing bowl to mix the glaze ingredients in. Instead of a mixing bowl we use loads of these for mixing, prepping, and serving.

The Sticky Chinese Pork Belly Recipe:

Sticky Chinese Pork Belly

Sticky Chinese Belly Pork - Slow-cooked until meltingly tender and then finished with a sticky chilli glaze.

5 from 7 votes

Print Rate

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 2 hrs 15 mins

Total Time: 2 hrs 25 mins

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Keyword: Any Time Of the year, Date Night, dinner party

Servings: 6 small servings

Author: Nicky Corbishley

Ingredients

Slow Cooked Pork Belly:

• 2.2 lb (1Kg) rindless pork belly slices chopped in half (each piece being approx. the length of your index finger)
• 4 1/4 cups (1 Litre) hot chicken/veg stock
• 1 thumb sized piece of ginger peeled and finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic peeled and chopped in half
• 1 tbsp. rice wine
• 1 tbsp. caster sugar

Glaze:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger peeled and minced
• 1 red chilli finely chopped
• 2 tbsp Honey
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp lemon grass paste

Instructions

• Add all the slow cooked pork belly ingredients to a pan (not the glaze ingredients) I use a cast iron casserole pan like this <--affiliate link. Bring to the boil, then place a lid on, turn down the heat and simmer for 2 hours.
• Turn off the heat and drain the pork. You can reserve the liquid if you like (Perfect for a Thai or Chinese noodle soup).
• Chop the pork into bite sized chunks. Add 1 tbsp. of the oil to a frying pan, and then mix the remaining glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Heat the oil and add in the pork, salt and pepper, frying on a high heat until the pork starts to turn golden. Now pour the glaze over the pork and continue to cook until the pork looks dark and sticky. Remove from the heat and serve with some rice and green veg.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, you can make it up to the end of step 2 (where the pork is slow cooked and then drained). Then quickly cool, cover and refrigerate (for up to two days) or freeze. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and frying the meat.

You can also make the sauce ahead, then cover and refrigerate it up to a day ahead.

.

Can I make it Gluten free?

Yes! Replace the soy sauce with tamari. I've done this several times and it works great.
Replace the rice wine with sherry (usually gluten free, but best to check).
Also make sure you use gluten free stock.

.

Vegetarian Option?

I haven't tried this with a meat-like alternative, but my Asian-style cauliflower wings make a great alternative.

.

Can I use my slow cooker?

Yes, you can do the first stage in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Keep an eye on the level of liquid and top up with a little more if needed.

.

Nutritional information is per serving.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition Facts

Sticky Chinese Pork Belly

Amount Per Serving

Calories 531 Calories from Fat 342

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 38g 58%

Saturated Fat 15g 75%

Sodium 654mg 27%

Potassium 49mg 1%

Total Carbohydrates 14g 5%

Sugars 12g

Protein 33g 66%

Vitamin A 1.4%

Vitamin C 13.6%

Calcium 0.8%

Iron 1.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This post was first published in March 2015. Updated October 2018 with new photos and tips.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.