This sweet and spicy pork belly feels incredibly indulgent but is surprisingly so easy to make! It’s a crowd pleaser.
The pork belly is seared until golden, then slowly cooked (which we love for an easy set-it-and-forget-it meal) with garlic, onion, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, and rice vinegar until it becomes incredibly tender and flavorful.
The combo of brown sugar and soy sauce creates a rich, savory-sweet sauce, while rice vinegar adds just enough acidity to balance the richness of the pork belly. All together, you get that classic sweet and spicy Asian flavor!
Fresh Thai chilis are added at the end for a bright, spicy kick, but you can easily adjust the amount depending on how spicy you like your food. You could also do red pepper flakes if Thai chilis intimidate you or are hard to find in your area!
I love serving this pork belly over steamed rice so that the rice can soak up all of that delicious sauce. It makes a cozy, satisfying meal with very little hands-on work. Perfect especially nice for an easy weeknight dinner! Let’s get started!
Ingredients
- Pork Belly: Rich and tender meat that becomes incredibly soft and flavorful as it slowly cooks. You can use another cut of meat, but I love pork belly because it is so fatty and slow cooks so well! I get my pork belly at Costco.
- Garlic: Adds savory depth and aromatic flavor to the sauce.
- Onion: Adds sweetness and a savory base.
- Ginger: Brings warmth, freshness, and a subtle spice.
- Brown Sugar: Creates a sweet, rich glaze that balances the savory soy sauce.
- Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and deep umami flavor.
- Rice Vinegar: Brightens the sauce and balances the richness of the pork belly.
- Water: Creates the braising liquid and helps the flavors infuse into the pork.
- Black pepper: Adds a subtle spice.
- Thai chilis: Add fresh heat and a spicy kick; you can substitute another spicy pepper. Or even use red pepper flakes!
Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Pork Belly
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Description
Tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly slowly braised in a sweet, savory, and spicy sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and chilis for that spice!
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork belly, cut into 2 – 3 cm (3/4 – 1 1/4 inch) cubes
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 thumb-sized knob ginger, sliced and cut into thin matchsticks
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4–6 Thai chilis, diced, or another spicy pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Heat a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork belly and sear until browned on the outside, about 6 -8 minutes. Don’t worry about it being full cooked on the inside!
- Add all of the ingredients except for the Thai chilis (garlic, onion, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, water, and black pepper). Stir to combine.
- Cover the pot with a lid and transfer it to the oven. Cook for 2 hours.
- Increase the temperature to 350°F (175°C). Remove the lid and continue cooking uncovered for 20 minutes to allow the sauce to reduce slightly.
- Remove from the oven and stir in the diced Thai chilis. Add more or less chili depending on your preferred level of heat.
- Serve hot over steamed rice, and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
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