Low Fat Braised Pork Belly

Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of 'Low Fat Braised Pork Belly,' a lighter take on a beloved classic. This recipe combines tender, slow-cooked pork belly with aromatic ingredients like star anise, cinnamon, and ginger, creating a dish that's both flavorful and guilt-free. Carefully simmered to remove excess fat and infused with a fragrant broth of low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and caramelized brown sugar, this meal strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and health-conscious cooking. Served over steamed rice or vibrant vegetables, it's an irresistible comfort food that's surprisingly easy to prepare. Perfect for meal prep or a family dinner, this nutritious twist on a traditional braised pork belly ensures you can savor each bite without the extra richness.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 600 grams Pork belly
• 1000 milliliters Cold water
• 2 medium Carrots
• 1 large Onion
• 2 Celery stalks
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 1 inch Ginger
• 50 milliliters Low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 2 Star anise
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black peppercorns

Directions

Step 1

Start by placing the pork belly in a large pot and cover it with cold water. Bring to a boil, allowing it to simmer for about 5 minutes. This step helps to remove impurities and excess fat.

Step 2

While the pork is simmering, peel and roughly chop the carrots, onion, and celery. Crush the garlic cloves, and slice the ginger.

Step 3

After 5 minutes, remove the pork from the pot and discard the water. Rinse the pork under cold water to further cleanse it of impurities.

Step 4

In the same pot (now cleaned), add a splash of water, enough to just cover the bottom, and place it over medium-high heat.

Step 5

Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and ginger. Saute them gently just until the onion becomes translucent.

Step 6

Return the pork belly to the pot, nestling it among the sautéed vegetables.

Step 7

Pour in the low sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar.

Step 8

Add the star anise, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, salt, and black peppercorns.

Step 9

Add 800 milliliters of water, or just enough to almost cover the pork belly without submerging it completely.

Step 10

Bring the pot to a boil once more, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Allow it to simmer gently for about 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Step 11

Check the pork occasionally, turning it halfway through to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption.

Step 12

Once the pork is tender and easy to pierce with a fork, remove the pork and set aside. Increase the heat to high and reduce the cooking liquid to a thicker sauce consistency, approximately 10-15 minutes.

Step 13

While the sauce is reducing, slice the cooked pork into bite-sized pieces.

Step 14

Finally, serve the pork belly over a bed of rice or steamed vegetables, drizzling with the reduced sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2158.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3436.0

Total Fat 321.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 116.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 432mg	0%
Sodium 4955.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 70.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.4g	0%
Total Sugars 35.1g
Protein 68.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 354.3mg	0%
Iron 8.7mg	0%
Potassium 2223.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 83.9%

Protein: 7.9%

Carbs: 8.2%