Sticky sesame pork belly is a delicious treat for the whole family! With everything done in under an hour, this dish is perfect for a weeknight or a hit for serving a crowd.
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About the Recipe
Pork belly may seem intimidating to cook, but I promise it's easier than you think.
I always order pork belly at restaurants, but I had never tried making at home. Now that I have, I'm hooked, and you should be too! I buy my pork belly at Costco - they always have it in stock and they have great prices on it.
This pork belly is packed with flavor and tastes just like a restaurant quality dish. The sesame glaze is so delicious - you'll love it!
For more pork recipes, check out our: Pork Piccata, Sausage Mushrooms, and Spicy Sausage Pasta.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need in this recipe:
- Pork Ingredients
- 2 lb pork belly, sliced in 1in pieces
- 4 cups chicken broth/stock
- 2 in piece ginger, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
- Glaze Ingredients
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- sesame seeds and scallions, for topping
How to Make Sticky Sesame Pork Belly
Let's make this recipe together!
Step 1
Add pork belly, stock, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper to a pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, bring heat low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until pork is cooked through. Remove cooked pork belly from pot and cool on a plate.
Step 2
Stir brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic together and set aside.
Step 3
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add cooked pork belly and cook for 10 minutes, or until the pork belly starts to turn golden brown.
Step 4
Add glaze over pork belly and stir well. Cook for 5 minutes on low, then top with sesame seeds and scallions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about pork belly:
Pork belly is uncured bacon. It is not processed, so it offers more freedom for flavoring and has a better fat to meat ratio than bacon does.
Many grocery stores carry pork belly. It's always a good idea to call the meat department of your local grocery store and see if they have it in stock or can order some for you.
You can eat pork belly with anything! A few ideas include serving it over rice, in tacos, or in a salad.
How to Serve This Dish
Sticky sesame pork belly has so many incredible possibilities! Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve:
- Serve pork belly over a big bed of warm, short grain white rice
- Put in tacos and top with microgreens
- Tossed in a big leafy salad with a sesame oil based dressing
- Add to chili oil noodles
A final option - just serve on a plate as an appetizer. No matter how you serve, this dish is so delicious!
Kitchen Equipment
Here are some kitchen staples I recommend for cooking this recipe:
Nonstick Skillet - A good non-stick skillet is a must for this recipe. Although you can crisp the pork belly in a regular pan, I recommend a non-stick skillet to significantly reduce your clean up time! Check out this one on a Amazon.
Sesame Seeds - Sesame seeds are the perfect topping to this dish. If you can't find them at your local grocery store, check out these that you can buy on Amazon!
Sesame Oil - If you can't find sesame seeds at your local Asian grocery store, you can grab it on Amazon. It gives this dish it's delicious sesame flavor! I've used this brand before and it's great!
More Easy Recipes
Looking for more easy dinner recipes? Check out these for weeknight dinner inspiration!
Recipe Storage and Reheating
- Recipe Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- Reheating: We recommend heating in a skillet on medium-low heat until warmed and crisp.
Sticky Sesame Pork Belly
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork belly sliced in 1in pieces
- 4 cups chicken broth/stock
- 2 in piece ginger diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- Sesame seeds and scallions for topping
Instructions
- Add pork belly, stock, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper to a pot over medium heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, bring heat low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until pork is cooked through.
- Remove cooked pork belly from pot and cool on a plate.
- Stir brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic together and set aside.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add cooked pork belly and cook for 10 minutes, or until the pork belly starts to turn golden brown.
- Add glaze over pork belly and stir well. Cook for 5 minutes on low, then top with sesame seeds and scallions.
Notes
- Recipe Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- Reheating: We recommend heating in a skillet on medium-low heat until warmed and crisp.
Jessica says
One of my favorite recipes on the site!!! So fun to cook and it’s a perfect way to elevate any meal.
Tasting With Tina says
Thank you, so happy you enjoy it! It's one of my favorites too 🙂
Monique says
This looks delicious! Most of my household does not eat pork, have you ever used beef in place of the pork?
Christina Musgrave says
I have not, this recipe has only been tested with pork belly.
Charlotte says
Fantastic flavours, and so easy! Thank you! Have you any ideas to use the leftover stock? It seems such a shame to tip it away?!
Christina Musgrave says
So happy you enjoyed the recipe! Great question about the stock - if you had any leftover pork belly, maybe use it as a base of a noodle soup with the pork belly? Some scallions on top would be delish!
Susan says
Do you buy the pork belly with or without skin?
Christina Musgrave says
Skin off - I usually buy mine at Costco!
Brian M says
Love this recipe! Although it was quite oily. When I make this again I won’t use any sesame oil. There was plenty of oil when the pork belly cooks down. I might add more brown sugar and some of the simmering liquid though.
Also, I saved the simmering liquid and used it for pork ramen the next day.
Christina Musgrave says
Thanks so much, Brian! Glad you liked the recipe. Saving the simmering liquid for ramen is a great call - I always do the same thing!
Whitney says
Quick question! Do we add the chopped ginger into the glaze? Thanks 🙂
Christina Musgrave says
Hi Whitney! Add the ginger in with the pork belly in step 1. 🙂
Garyfire says
This turned out excellent, thank you for the recipe.