Whole30 Braised Pork Belly

Indulge in the savory and aromatic flavors of Whole30 Braised Pork Belly, a slow-cooked masterpiece that's both wholesome and irresistibly tender. This nutrient-packed dish features melt-in-your-mouth pork belly simmered in a rich blend of coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, and bone broth, infused with the warm spices of star anise and cinnamon. Elevating the flavor profile are fresh aromatics like garlic, ginger, and green onions, all brought to life with a touch of sesame oil and ghee. Perfectly suited for a Whole30 meal plan, this recipe is free of added sugars and gluten, making it a guilt-free comfort food favorite. Whether served over cauliflower rice or enjoyed on its own, this braised pork belly is the epitome of slow-cooked perfection, bursting with umami in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:165 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork belly, skinless
• 0.5 cup coconut aminos
• 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups bone broth or chicken stock
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons ghee or clarified butter
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup water

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork belly into 2-inch cubes and season with sea salt and black pepper.

Step 2

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the ghee over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Once the ghee is hot, add the pork belly cubes in batches and sear until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

Step 4

In the same pot, add minced garlic and grated ginger. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Return the pork belly to the pot and add coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, bone broth, and water.

Step 6

Stir in the sesame oil, green onions, star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.

Step 8

Let it simmer gently for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the pork belly is tender and the sauce has reduced.

Step 9

Occasionally check and stir the pot, ensuring the liquid doesn’t evaporate completely; add additional water if necessary.

Step 10

Once the pork belly is tender and the sauce is thickened, remove star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves.

Step 11

Serve the braised pork belly hot, garnished with extra chopped green onions.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2284.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5489.1

Total Fat 527.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 195.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.8g
Cholesterol 725.9mg	0%
Sodium 4007.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 67.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.3g	0%
Total Sugars 33.5g
Protein 113.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 498.5mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 2841.4mg	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: 86.8%

Protein: 8.3%

Carbs: 4.9%