This Sticky Chinese Pork Belly recipe is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a testament to the wonders of slow cooking. In this easy recipe, we unveil the secret to achieving perfectly tender meat that practically melts in your mouth. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is designed to impress, showcasing the perfect blend of simplicity and beautiful Asian flavours!
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Slow Cooking Pork
Slow cooking is a game-changer for fatty cuts like belly pork, infusing them with unmatched tenderness and flavour. This slow cooker recipe for sticky crispy pork belly truly highlights the magic of the cooking process.
Opt for cuts with layers of fat, like belly pork or pork shoulder, as the extended cook time allows the fat layer to render slowly, resulting in succulent, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. However, ham is a perfect thing to cook in a slow cooked - try our Slow Cooker Gammon Glazed With Brown Sugar or Slow Cooker Gammon in Cola. We are also loving sweet and sticky Slow Cooker Mongolian Pork Tenderloin!
Your local butcher can guide you to the perfect cut of meat, ensuring a dish that's both satisfying and easy for any home cook.
The slow cooker, also known as a crock pot, is the unsung hero here, requiring minimal effort while maximizing taste. As the pork bathes in its own fat over hours, the collagen in tougher cuts breaks down, transforming into a luscious texture.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- pork belly: we cook a whole piece of pork belly, but you may cut the pork into smaller pieces. However, you should be able to stand the pieces in a slow cooker skin side up, so that it is not submerged in the cooking liquid.
- Chinese five spice: for dry rub.
- water: you may replace the water with chicken stock or beef stock but don't add soy sauce, or your pork will be too salty.
- garlic clove: minced or very finely chopped.
- root ginger: minced or very finely chopped.
- brown sugar: light or dark brown sugar will work in this pork belly recipe.
- star anise: is the main flavour in the cooking liquid, but you may also add a couple of cloves and a cinnamon stick.
- soy sauce: we used dark soy sauce.
- Chinese BBQ Sauce: also known as Char Siu Sauce. You can buy in most supermarkets or make Chinese BBQ Sauce from scratch!
And if you want to make your own Chinese BBQ Sauce, here's what you'll need (full Char Siu Sauce recipe here):
Find the ingredient quantities and a full recipe in the recipe card below.
Method
Follow these three simple steps to make the most delicious slow-cooked pork belly. Note that Chinese BBQ sauce can be made in advance if you choose to make it from scratch!
Step 1: How To Make Pork Belly In A Slow Cooker?
Pat the pork belly piece with a kitchen towel to dry the surface. Dry rub the pork with Chinese five spice and a little bit of black pepper and set it aside.
Mix water, minced garlic clove, minced root ginger, brown sugar, star anise and soy sauce and pour it into the slow cooker.
Add the pork belly, cover with a lid and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or high for 4-5 hours.
How Long To Cook Pork Belly In a Slow Cooker?
Cooking time for a large pork belly piece in a slow cooker typically ranges from 6-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high, but variations exist among slow cooker models. Pork belly slices usually require 3-4 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high heat. Adjust the cooking time based on your specific slow cooker and desired tenderness.
Step 2: Make Chinese BBQ Glaze For Pork Belly
Whilst the pork slow cooks, prepare Chinese BBQ Sauce, also known as Char Siu Sauce.
Simply mix all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce has slightly reduced and thickened.
This delicious sauce can be used in many different ways. Try it in our Vegan Shiitake Mushroom recipe or Char Siu Chicken Bao Buns!
Step 3: Crisping & Glazing Pork Belly Skin
Once cooked, remove the belly of pork from the slow cooker onto a wire rack and let it steam and drain for a few minutes.
Pat the skin dry, and using a sharp knife score the skin in a diamond pattern.
Place the pork onto a baking tray or a roasting pan skin side up and cook under the frill for 5-10 minutes until the skin turns into crackling (it should have super crispy skin, that is golden brown but not burned).
Brush Chinese BBQ Sauce on top of the skin of the pork belly, slice into portions and serve!
Recipe Video
What To Serve Crispy Chinese Pork Belly With?
Crispy Chinese Pork Belly can be served as a main dish and as a starter at your dinner parties.
Pork belly stuffed in homemade bao buns with some Asian-style cabbage slaw is a delicious combination. A couple of them can be served as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal.
To serve sticky BBQ Pork Belly as a main course, pair it with roast potatoes, silky smooth Mashed Potatoes or even a creamy potato gratin and green vegetables, like Stir-Fried Chinese Pea Shoots (Dou Miao Recipe), Asian Broccoli Salad or Tenderstem Broccoli with Lemon and Garlic.
Tips For Best Results
Slow Cooker Pork Belly is easy to make, but if it is your first time cooking pork belly, you may benefit from these tips:
- Allow it to marinate in Chinese Five Spice for 30 minutes to let the flavours penetrate the meat.
- Flavour the cooking liquid sufficiently: Asian flavours, used in the broth will enhance the flavour of the meat. Ensure the liquid covers the bottom of the slow cooker but doesn't submerge the pork completely.
- Monitor Cooking Time: Cook the pork belly on the low setting for an extended period to achieve the desired tenderness. The slow cooker time can vary, but generally, 6-8 hours on low should be sufficient. Check the pork periodically to ensure it doesn't overcook and become overly soft.
- Crisp up the skin: don't skip this step. Placing slow-cooked meat under the grill for a few minutes creates an amazing crackling. Soft skin won't be pleasant to eat, even after smearing Chinese BBQ sauce on it.
- Garnish the dish: for the visual appeal, consider scattering some sliced green onions on top!
Recipe FAQs
What To Do With Leftover Chinese Pork Belly?
A great way to use up any leftover pork belly is to cut it into thin slices, mix it with more Char Siu sauce and stuff them into homemade bao buns. Alternatively, use leftover belly of pork to top ramen! Looking for a simple option? The best way to reheat pork belly slices is in a pan on a stove top over low-medium heat, then serve it with apple sauce.
Can I Cook a Belly of Pork From Frozen?
We do not recommend cooking pork belly from frozen in a slow cooker.
Does Pork Belly Get More Tender The Longer You Cook It?
A short answer is no. While cooking it low and slow is a great approach, after a while, once the layers of fat have melted away, your meat will start getting tough.
Other Pork Recipes To Try
Sticky Crispy Chinese Pork Belly In A Slow Cooker
Equipment
Ingredients
- 680 g (1.5 lb) pork belly
- 1 tablespoon Chinese five spice
- 600 ml (2.5 cups) water
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 15 g (1 tablespoon) ginger
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 star anise
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 100 g (3 tablespoon) Chinese BBQ Sauce Char Siu Sauce, recipe in the notes below
Instructions
- Pat the pork belly piece with kitchen towel to dry the surface.
- Rub the pork with Chinese five spice and a little bit of black pepper and set it aside.
- Mix water, minced garlic clove, minced root ginger, brown sugar, star anise and soy sauce and pour it into the slow cooker.
- Add the pork belly, cover with a lid and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or high for 4-5 hours.
- Whilst the pork cooks, make the Chinese BBQ Pork (click the link or follow the recipe in the notes).
- Once cooked, remove the belly of pork from the slow cooker onto a wire rack and let it steam and drain for a few minutes.
- Pat the skin dry, and using a sharp knife score the skin in a diamond pattern.
- Place the pork under a grill, the fat side up and cook for 2-3 minutes until the skin turns into crackling (it should be super crispy, but not burned).
- Brush Chinese BBQ Sauce on top, slice into portions and serve!
Video
Notes
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 cm ginger, very finely chopped
- 50 ml hoisin sauce
- 10 ml apple cider vinegar
- 30 ml soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon dark brown sugar
- ¼ tsp Chinese five spice
Nutrition
Liz says
The flavors are phenomenal!!! And making it in the slow cooker was so easy. We loved your recipe!
Nora says
This Sticky Chinese Pork Belly is absolutely mouthwatering! The meat turns out so tender it practically melts, and the rich, glossy glaze is packed with those bold, irresistible Asian flavors. It’s surprisingly simple to make but feels so special—definitely one of those recipes that impresses every time!
Ieva Greber says
That's the magic of slow cooking 🙂 So glad you liked it, and thank you to taking the time to leave such wonderful comment 🙂
RJ says
What does "place under a grill" mean? are ypu talking about broiling it in the oven? If so, is that at High or Low and what position is the oven rack?
Ieva Greber says
Yes, in the UK, we use the term "under the grill", but I believe it's the same as broiling. Place the dish on the top shelf, close to the heat source, and grill for 2–3 minutes until golden and crisp. Hope this helps 🙂
Nicole Kendrick says
I absolutely love this recipe. It's so easy to make, but the flavor is so complex!
Ieva Greber says
Thank you, Nicole! 😉
Chelsea says
Amazing flavor, my family loved it!
Criss says
I gave this sticky crispy Chinese pork belly a go in the slow cooker and it was amazing—the meat was tender, the glaze was rich, and the crispy finish took it over the top. So worth it!
Ieva Greber says
Thank you, Criss! So glad you gave this recipe a go and liked it 🙂
Will says
I'm going to make this tomorrow. I have found pork belly without the skin. Do I still place it under the grill at the end?
Ieva Greber says
Yes! Score the fat on top in cris cross pattern and place it under the grill before glazing. Hope you like it 🙂