Low Sodium Braised Pork Belly

Indulge in the rich, melt-in-your-mouth flavors of Low Sodium Braised Pork Belly, a healthier spin on a beloved classic. This recipe combines tender, slow-braised pork belly with aromatic spices like star anise and cinnamon, all simmered in a flavorful base of low sodium chicken broth, soy sauce, and rice vinegar. A hint of brown sugar adds just the right touch of caramelized sweetness, while fresh ginger, garlic, and spring onions create an irresistible depth of flavor. Perfectly tender and drenched in a luscious, thickened sauce, this dish strikes a balance between indulgence and mindful eating. Serve over steamed rice or alongside your favorite vegetables for a cozy, satisfying meal packed with bold, savory goodness.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:170 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Pork belly
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 units Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 inch piece Fresh ginger, sliced
• 3 units Spring onions, chopped
• 2 pods Star anise
• 1 unit Cinnamon stick
• 2 cups Low sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 units Bay leaves
• 1 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the pork belly: Rinse it under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut the pork belly into 2-inch pieces.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork belly pieces and brown them on all sides, about 8 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the pork belly from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add the minced garlic, sliced ginger, and chopped spring onions. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Return the browned pork belly to the pot. Add the star anise, cinnamon stick, low sodium chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, black pepper, bay leaves, and water.

Step 5

Stir well to combine all ingredients, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.

Step 6

Let the pork belly braise slowly for about 2 hours, checking occasionally to ensure it remains at a gentle simmer. Stir every 30 minutes.

Step 7

After 2 hours, check the tenderness of the pork belly with a fork. It should be very tender and easily fall apart. If not, continue cooking and check every 15 minutes.

Step 8

Once cooked to tenderness, remove the pork belly from the pot and slightly increase the heat to reduce the sauce to your desired consistency, about 10 minutes.

Step 9

Return the pork belly to the pot and coat it with the reduced sauce. Serve hot with steamed rice or your choice of side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1791.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5149.2

Total Fat 510.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 179.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 653.2mg	0%
Sodium 2945.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 36.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.7g	0%
Total Sugars 19.4g
Protein 97.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 274.6mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 2016.5mg	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: 89.5%

Protein: 7.6%

Carbs: 2.9%