5.0 from 6 votes
Khao Kha Moo (Thai Braised Pork Leg Recipe)
This khao kha moo recipe features fall-apart tender pork leg braised in a sweet and savory sauce for a truly authentic Thai dish.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 351 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Thai
Ingredients
- 35 ounces pork leg
- 3 coriander root
- 3 garlic
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 5 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons palm sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 4 dried shiitake mushrooms soaked
- 2 tablespoons Chinese five spice powder
- 3 star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 50 fluid ounces water
OPTIONAL
- hard-boiled eggs add to taste
- Choy Sum see notes, add to taste
- pickled mustard greens add to taste
Instructions
- Warm a generous amount of oil in a big pot or wok over medium-high heat. Add the pork leg. Cook for 5 minutes, turning it often to brown all sides evenly. This crucial step helps keep the skin intact later when it simmers.
- Use a mortar and pestle to mash the garlic, black peppercorns, and coriander root into a rough paste.
- Place a large pot on your stove top and turn the heat to medium – toss the ground spices, cinnamon, star anise, and mushrooms that have been soaked beforehand into the pot. Stir them for about 30 seconds until they release their aroma.
- Add palm sugar to the pot, simmer and stir until it starts to caramelize.
- Pour in water, add five spice powder, and pour in light and dark soy sauce. Add salt and the pork leg. Cover the pot. Let everything simmer for 3 hours on low heat.
- Two and a half hours in, you can slip in some boiled eggs if you like. They’ll get a nice brown tint from the broth. When the full 3 hours are up, it’s time to take the pot off the stove. Serve right away with some steamed jasmine rice. If you’re adding veggies, go to the next step.
- Blanch your greens – choy sum, Chinese broccoli, or bok choy. Just dip them in boiling water, drain well, and they’re ready to serve. Pair with pickled mustard greens and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use the nutrition card in this recipe as a guideline.
- Choy sum: Substitutable with Chinese broccoli (gai lan) and bok choy.
Nutrition Information
Calories
351kcal
(18%)
Carbohydrates
14g
(5%)
Protein
46g
(92%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Trans Fat
0.04g
Cholesterol
131mg
(44%)
Sodium
2150mg
(90%)
Potassium
777mg
(22%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
38IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
80mg
(8%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 5people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 351
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 351kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 46g | 92% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 131mg | 44% |
| Sodium | 2150mg | 90% |
| Potassium | 777mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 38IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 80mg | 8% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.