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Best Easy Red Braised Pork Recipe

Name: Best Easy Red Braised Pork Recipe
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 180 g
Ingredients: pork belly 2 lbs; ginger 6 slices; scallion 2 pieces; star anise 2 pieces; soy sauce 1.5 tbsp; dark soy sauce 1 tbsp; Shaoxing wine 0.25 cup; rock sugar 3 tbsp; water 1.5 cups

Cubes of pork belly are caramelized in sugar and braised low-and-slow in soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and star anise. Chairman Mao's alleged favorite, this deeply comforting family dish exemplifies the art of Chinese braising.

Cook 100 min Difficulty NORMAL 560 kcal

#high protein #keto

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

pork belly 2 lbs
ginger 6 slices
scallion 2 pieces
star anise 2 pieces

Seasonings/Sauce

soy sauce 1.5 tbsp
dark soy sauce 1 tbsp
Shaoxing wine 0.25 cup
rock sugar 3 tbsp
water 1.5 cups

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 18 g 13%

Protein 19 g 14%

Fat 46 g 73%

Serving size 180g

Cooking steps

1

Blanch pork belly: In a large pot, cover pork belly pieces with cold water, bring to a boil over high heat, then drain and rinse to remove scum.
2

Caramelize sugar: In a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat, add rock sugar with 2 tablespoons water; stir constantly until sugar is amber and bubbling.
3

Sear pork: Add pork belly to the caramel, raise heat to high, and toss quickly to coat evenly for 2 minutes.
4

Add aromatics and liquids: Stir in ginger slices, scallions, and star anise; pour in Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce, tossing the pork for full coverage.
5

Braise: Add water until pork is just covered; bring to a simmer, cover, and braise on low heat for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6

Reduce: Remove lid, turn heat to medium-high, and continue cooking for 20–30 minutes, basting pork and reducing sauce until glossy and thick.
7

Rest and serve: Remove aromatics, briefly rest the pork, slice into bite sizes, and spoon sauce over before serving.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this Red Braised Pork recipe?

The star ingredient is pork belly, which provides the signature rich texture and layered flavor. Braising the pork belly with aromatics and seasonings gives the dish its iconic melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Q. How do I properly caramelize the sugar without burning it?

Use medium heat and stir the rock sugar constantly with a splash of water as it melts. Once it turns a deep amber color and bubbles, add the pork belly quickly to prevent burning and ensure a deeply colored, aromatic base.

Q. How do I ensure the pork stays tender and not tough?

Braised pork belly requires gentle, sustained heat. Keep the simmer very low during braising, and avoid boiling vigorously; this will help the fat and collagen break down smoothly and prevent the meat from becoming chewy.

Q. What is the protein-to-carb ratio and calorie content per serving?

Each serving contains about 19g protein and 18g carbohydrates, with a calorie count of 560 kcal. Protein contributes 14% of calories, while carbs are 13%, and the majority comes from fat (73%).

Best Easy Red Braised Pork Recipe

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