Prepare to be delighted by my Steamed Pork Belly with Soy Garlic Sauce recipe! I’ve crafted this dish to be a fuss-free indulgence, offering tender pork belly infused with savory flavors and served with an irresistible Asian-inspired dipping sauce! With just 5 minutes of prep, it’s the perfect way to add a touch of Asian flavors to your dinner table!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
What I really love about my Steamed Pork Belly with Soy Garlic Sauce recipe for its simplicity, reliability, and mouthwatering results each and every time! It’s a delightful dish featuring tender pork belly, perfectly steamed to succulent perfection, and served with my signature Pork Belly Sauce!
Inspired by the success of my Boiled Pork Belly and Crispy Pork Belly dishes, I’ve crafted this recipe as a faster, hands-off alternative that guarantees consistent excellence every time. With minimal effort required and maximum flavor, my favorite kind of recipe by the way, it’s ideal for anyone seeking a hassle-free way to savor juicy, flavorful pork belly paired with a savory garlic sauce! Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Pork Belly – skinless and about 10-12 inches in length, 2-inch in width.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine, found at local grocery stores or Asian markets.
- Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free.
- Garlic Cloves – freshly grated or pressed garlic.
- Chili Oil – also known as “La Yu” and can be found in most Asian supermarkets.
- Green Onions – fresh chopped green onion scallions.
🥓 Pork Belly Note
Opt for High-Quality Pork Belly with a good balance of meat and fat. This will result in a more flavorful and tender dish. I personally find the cut found at Costco to be the best choice in terms of price and quality.
🧄 Garlic Note
Make sure to Grate or Press the Garlic rather than mincing it. Mincing doesn’t allow the garlic to release its oils fully, which is crucial for the sauce’s flavor profile.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
Directions
Step 1 Sprinkle salt on pork belly on all 4 sides.
Step 2 In a large pot, bring water and Japanese sake or Chinese cooking wine to a rolling boil. Then, place the pork belly on top of a steaming rack and carefully lower the rack into the pot, ensuring that the water doesn’t touch the pork belly. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium to medium-low, and steam for 25-30 minutes.
🌡 Internal Temperature Check
When checking the internal temperature of your steamed pork belly, aim for a safe temperature of 145°F, which typically occurs around 10-15 minutes into the steaming process. However, for optimal tenderness, I recommend steaming the pork belly for a total of 25-30 minutes.
Step 3 In the meantime, prepare the pork belly dipping sauce by combining grated garlic, soy sauce, chili oil, and chopped green onions in a bowl.
💡 Sauce Pro Tip
When preparing the sauce for your boiled pork belly, I recommend to Make in Advance and Refrigerating it. Allowing the sauce to sit in the fridge will give it time to meld its flavors.
Step 4 After steaming, slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces and serve it with the prepared dipping sauce.
Recipe Variations
You can switch things up by using the same ingredients and trying my Boiled Pork Belly variation instead of steaming. This method adds more flavor to the pork belly while keeping it tender, and you’ll still use the same Pork Belly Sauce. Another option is to pan-sear the boiled or steamed pork belly to create my Crispy Asian Pork Belly dish, giving it a crispy exterior while keeping the meat tender inside. Both variations offer delicious twists on the original recipe!
Pairing Recommendations
To accompany this steamed pork belly, try serving it with my Baby Bok Choy Stir Fry or Garlic Kale Stir Fry, along with a bowl of Egg Drop Soup and your preferred rice. These dishes complement the pork belly’s flavors perfectly and create a complete meal for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen pork belly for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen pork belly for this recipe. However, ensure that the pork belly is completely defrosted before steaming to ensure even steaming.
What type of soy sauce is best to use in the soy garlic sauce?
For the soy garlic sauce, my personal recommendation is low-sodium soy sauce. However, feel free to use whichever type of soy sauce you prefer based on your personal taste preferences.
Can I substitute the garlic with garlic powder in the sauce?
No, it's not recommended to substitute fresh garlic with garlic powder in the sauce. Freshly grated or pressed garlic provides a superior flavor compared to garlic powder, which may alter the taste of the sauce.
Can I make the soy garlic sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the soy garlic sauce ahead of time. In fact, I recommend doing so to allow the flavors to meld together.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, simply transfer them to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator where they will remain fresh for 5-7 days.
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Watch How To Make It
Steamed Pork Belly with Soy Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb Pork Belly
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Japanese Sake can replace with dry sherry or Chinese cooking wine
- 2 Cups Water
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Clove Garlic grated
- 1/4 tsp Chili Oil
- 1/2 Stalk Green Onion
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Sprinkle salt on all sides of the pork belly.
- In a large pot, combine water with Japanese sake or Chinese cooking wine, and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, place the pork belly on a steaming rack and carefully lower it into the pot. Cover the pot and steam the pork belly for 25-30 minutes under medium heat.
- Create the pork belly sauce by mixing grated garlic, soy sauce, chili oil, and chopped green onions together in a bowl.
- After the pork belly is finished steaming, cut it into bite-size pieces and serve it alongside the dipping sauce.
Nutrition
*Values Based Per Serving
