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Instant Pot Red Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou)
These succulent ruby gems are absolutely addicting! Mouthwateringly tender, sweet, and savory. This braised pork is easily put together with minimal effort.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
643 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Asian, Taiwanese
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork belly lean
- 1 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 star anise
- 2 bay leaf
Sauce
- 3 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
Blanch Pork Belly
- Cut pork belly into about 1-inch cubes. Make sure that every piece of lean meat is attached to some fat when cutting. This will help tenderize the meat while cooking.
- In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil. There should be enough water to cover the pork. Add pork and boil for 3 - 4 minutes to get rid of impurities, then rinse under cold water. Drain and set aside.
Cup of Yum
Braise Pork Belly
- In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Heat Instant Pot on Saute mode. Once it's hot, add about 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Add brown sugar and watch closely so it doesn’t begin to harden. Once the sugar starts to dissolve, add the pork and coat them well in the sugar.
- Add the sauce mixture, star anise, and bay leaves. Gently scrape the bottom of the pot to make sure none of the sugar is stuck to the bottom to prevent burning.
- Change Instant Pot mode to Pressure Cook on High. Cover with the lid sealed and cook for 40 minutes.
Thicken Sauce
- Once the timer goes off, release the vent on the lid. Set Instant Pot to Saute mode and cook with the lid off until the sauce starts to turn into a thick glistening glaze, about 7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and burning. Once it's the consistency you like, turn off Instant Pot and remove the pork belly. Serve them on a bed of steamy hot rice and enjoy!
Notes
- Lean Pork Belly: I typically buy my pork belly from the Asian market, but you can buy it at any local store if they have it available. Ideally, every piece of lean meat would have some fat attached to it; this will help tenderize the meat and keep it moist while cooking.
- Shaoxing Wine: This is a Chinese cooking rice wine that can be easily found at local Asian markets or Amazon.
- Regular Soy Sauce vs Dark Soy Sauce: Regular or light soy sauce adds saltiness to a dish and is the most commonly found type of soy sauce at grocery stores. Dark soy sauce has a slightly thicker consistency and is what gives the red pork belly its signature deep rich color. You can find dark soy sauce at local Asian markets or Amazon.
Nutrition Information
Serving
75g
Calories
643kcal
(32%)
Carbohydrates
10g
(3%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
60g
(92%)
Saturated Fat
22g
(110%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
(35%)
Monounsaturated Fat
28g
(140%)
Cholesterol
82mg
(27%)
Sodium
372mg
(16%)
Potassium
232mg
(5%)
Fiber
0.2g
(1%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
15IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
15mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 643
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 75g | |
| Calories | 643kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 60g | 92% |
| Saturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 28g | 140% |
| Cholesterol | 82mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 372mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 232mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 15IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 15mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.