This caramelized pork belly recipe creates a savory, sweet, and rich dish, with tender pork that soaks up all the delicious flavors from the caramelized sugar, fish sauce, and soy sauce. It’s a flavorful, comforting meal that’s easy to make and perfect for pairing with steamed rice. A simple dish that packs a punch of flavor, making it an excellent choice for any dinner.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 500g (1 lb) pork belly, cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) pieces

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

• 3 tablespoons sugar

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1/2 cup water

• Fresh coriander, for garnish

• Steamed rice, for serving

Directions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the sugar and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly until it melts and turns golden brown.

3. Carefully add the pork belly pieces to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until the pork is lightly browned.

4. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.

5. Pour in the fish sauce, soy sauce, black pepper, and salt, and stir to combine.

6. Add the water and bring the mixture to a simmer.

7. Lower the heat, cover, and cook for 40-45 minutes, or until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens.

8. Once done, garnish with fresh coriander and serve with steamed rice.

Nutrients

• Calories: 380 kcal per serving

• Servings: 4

Why Pork Belly?

Pork belly is often considered the king of cuts when it comes to creating flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth dishes. Known for its high-fat content, it provides a unique combination of tender meat and rich fat that cooks down to create a deliciously unctuous dish. The fat in the pork belly is key to achieving the dish’s rich texture and flavor, as it renders down during cooking, infusing the meat with its natural juiciness and flavor.

Pork belly can be a more affordable alternative to other cuts of pork while still delivering a deeply satisfying meal. As the fat renders and the meat tenderizes, the pork belly soaks up the flavors of the marinade, making it ideal for braising or slow cooking. This recipe for caramelized pork belly allows the fat to play a central role in creating a rich, comforting dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice or vegetables.

The Sweet and Savory Magic of the Sauce

The key to the success of this caramelized pork belly dish is the sauce. The base is made up of sugar, fish sauce, and soy sauce, creating a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors. The sugar is caramelized to create a deep, golden brown color that imparts a rich sweetness to the dish. As the sugar melts and turns into a caramel, it adds a complexity to the flavor profile, which contrasts beautifully with the saltiness of the soy and fish sauces.

Fish sauce, a staple in Southeast Asian cooking, is made from fermented fish and brings a deep, savory umami flavor that adds depth to the sauce. It has a distinct, slightly salty taste that complements the richness of the pork belly. Soy sauce, another umami-packed ingredient, works with the fish sauce to round out the saltiness and contribute to the overall savory character of the dish. Together, these ingredients create a sauce that coats the pork belly and infuses it with a deep, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness from the caramelized sugar.

The Cooking Process: Slow and Steady

The cooking method for caramelized pork belly is just as important as the ingredients themselves. The pork belly is first browned in a hot skillet, allowing the meat to develop a slight caramelization and texture that enhances the flavor. This initial sear gives the pork its crispy edges and locks in the juices, ensuring that the meat remains tender while developing a satisfying bite.

Once the pork belly is browned, the sauce is added to the pan. The addition of garlic and onions brings even more depth to the dish, infusing the sauce with aromatic richness. The garlic releases a warm, savory fragrance, while the onions soften and meld into the sauce, adding sweetness and texture. Once the fish sauce, soy sauce, salt, and pepper are stirred in, the liquid is brought to a simmer, and the pork is cooked for a prolonged period.

Slow cooking allows the flavors to develop fully and the pork belly to become meltingly tender. As the pork cooks in the sauce, it absorbs the flavors of the marinade while the fat renders down, making the pork more tender and flavorful. The sauce gradually thickens, creating a glossy coating on the pork and turning the dish into a comforting, saucy meal.

The Role of Fresh Garnishes

While the caramelized pork belly is rich and flavorful on its own, garnishing it with fresh herbs like coriander adds a layer of brightness and freshness to the dish. The cool, herbaceous flavor of coriander cuts through the richness of the pork and provides a welcome contrast to the deep, savory flavors of the caramelized sauce. The addition of coriander also brings a burst of color, making the dish more visually appealing.

Fresh herbs and garnishes are often used in cooking to balance rich, heavy flavors and provide a fresh, aromatic element to the dish. In this case, the coriander plays a subtle but important role in lightening the overall experience, making each bite feel balanced and more vibrant.

Pairing Caramelized Pork Belly with Steamed Rice

Caramelized pork belly is ideally served with a side of steamed rice, which acts as the perfect vehicle to absorb the flavorful sauce. The fluffy, slightly sticky texture of the rice complements the tender pork, allowing each bite to be rich and satisfying. Rice also helps to temper the strong, savory flavors of the dish, creating a well-rounded meal.

For an added touch, you can serve the pork belly over jasmine rice, which imparts a delicate floral fragrance that complements the caramelized pork. The subtle aroma of jasmine rice pairs beautifully with the deep flavors of the pork and sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience. Alternatively, a side of steamed vegetables such as bok choy, broccoli, or green beans can add a refreshing crunch and a hint of bitterness, offering a balance to the richness of the pork belly.

Why This Dish is Perfect for Any Occasion

Caramelized pork belly is a dish that is both comforting and impressive, making it suitable for a wide variety of occasions. For weeknight dinners, it’s an excellent choice because it’s relatively simple to prepare while still being rich in flavor. The slow-cooked nature of the dish allows it to develop complex flavors with minimal active cooking time, making it an easy yet luxurious meal.

For special occasions, caramelized pork belly is a showstopper. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the pork, combined with the rich, glossy sauce, creates a dish that feels indulgent and celebratory. Its flavors are bold enough to stand out as the centerpiece of any meal, yet it’s not overly complicated to make, allowing you to focus on other elements of your menu.

Customization and Variations

One of the best things about caramelized pork belly is its versatility. While the recipe as written offers a classic balance of sweet, savory, and umami flavors, there’s room for customization based on your preferences. For example, you could add a bit of heat by incorporating chili flakes or fresh chilies into the sauce, creating a spicy-sweet contrast that adds an exciting layer of flavor. Additionally, a splash of lime juice or vinegar could be added at the end to provide a touch of acidity, brightening up the dish and balancing the richness of the pork.

For a variation on the base flavor, you can experiment with different herbs or seasonings. A touch of cinnamon or star anise could introduce a more aromatic, slightly sweet flavor to the sauce, making the dish feel more complex. These small adjustments can help tailor the dish to suit your personal taste or the occasion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, caramelized pork belly is a satisfying, flavorful dish that combines tender pork with a rich, savory-sweet sauce. The caramelized sugar, soy sauce, and fish sauce infuse the pork with deep, umami flavors, while the slow cooking process ensures that the pork belly becomes tender and succulent. Paired with steamed rice and fresh coriander, this dish is both comforting and visually appealing. Whether you’re looking for a weeknight meal or a special dish for a celebration, caramelized pork belly offers a satisfying balance of flavors that will leave everyone at the table eager for more.