Chinese Braised Ti Pang (Braised Pork Knuckle)

Introduction

Chinese Braised Ti Pang, also known as braised pork knuckle, is a show-stopping centerpiece that brings richness and deep flavor to any dining table. The secret to its tantalizing taste lies in the slow, careful braising which transforms a humble cut into meltingly tender, caramelized perfection. Perfect for festive occasions or impressing guests, this dish delivers savory-sweet notes and a glossy, aromatic sauce that’s simply irresistible.

Why You’ll Love Chinese Braised Ti Pang

What makes Chinese Braised Ti Pang so appealing is the combination of simplicity and decadence. With just a handful of pantry-friendly aromatics and classic Chinese seasonings, you achieve incredible complexity. The long, slow braise ensures the pork knuckle becomes succulent, while the sauce reduces to a gorgeous, velvety glaze. This dish is always a crowd pleaser—its fall-off-the-bone tenderness and luscious flavor are hard to forget!

Building Deep Flavor: The Braise

To create maximum depth, Ti Pang is first browned to develop a flavorful crust. It’s then slow-simmered with soy sauce, aromatic spices, ginger, and Shaoxing wine. As the knuckle gently cooks, the collagen-rich meat releases natural gelatin, infusing the sauce with a silky texture and exceptional richness. If desired, hard-boiled eggs or blanched greens can be added to the pot in the last 30 minutes for extra color and nutrition.

Perfectly Braised and Ready to Serve

Once the pork knuckle is ultra-tender and the sauce is glossy, it’s ready to be served. Carefully transfer the Ti Pang onto a serving platter, spooning the thickened sauce over. Garnish with sliced green onions or cilantro for a fresh finish. Serve with steamed rice or mantou buns to soak up every drop of the savory-sweet sauce.

Serving Suggestions for a Standout Meal

Braised Ti Pang pairs beautifully with light stir-fried greens, pickled vegetables, and a bowl of steamed jasmine rice. For a festive table, serve alongside classic Chinese sides like garlic sautéed bok choy or a crisp Asian slaw. The dish’s richness is perfectly balanced by the freshness and crunch of these lighter sides.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 to 6, providing a generous portion of protein and healthy collagen. Each serving supplies approximately 450-550 calories depending on serving size and sauce. While this is an indulgent dish, it offers vital minerals and B vitamins from long-cooked pork and aromatics.

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Instructions

1. Blanch the pork knuckle: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the knuckle and blanch for 5-10 minutes. Remove, rinse under cold water, and pat dry.
2. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic, stir-frying until fragrant.
3. Add the blanched pork knuckle, browning it on all sides for 4-5 minutes. Transfer out if needed to brown all sides evenly.
4. Add star anise and cinnamon stick. Pour in the soy sauces, Shaoxing wine, and sprinkle in rock sugar. Stir to coat the knuckle in the seasonings.
5. Add enough water to fully cover the pork. Add green onions. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
6. Cover and braise for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the pork is very tender and the sauce has reduced and thickened, occasionally spooning sauce over the knuckle. For extra richness and variety, add hard-boiled eggs in the last 30 minutes of braising.
7. Once the knuckle is fall-apart tender and glossy, season with a little salt if needed. Lift the knuckle out carefully and place on a serving platter. Spoon sauce over the top and garnish as desired.
8. Serve immediately with rice, steamed buns, and vegetables.

Weekly Meal Planning

Chinese Braised Ti Pang isn’t just perfect for entertaining—it’s also a fantastic make-ahead meal for the week. The flavors deepen over time, making leftovers even more delicious. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to organize your weekly menu, consolidate ingredient quantities, and streamline your grocery shopping all in one place.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities for all your weekly recipes
• Sorts shopping lists by grocery store aisle for speedy trips
• Prevents forgotten ingredients and avoids duplicate purchases
• Makes prepping multiple meals more seamless and less stressful

Pro tip: When planning hearty meals like Ti Pang and lighter sides in the same week, schedule your recipes to see overlapping ingredients—CookifyAI will update your list so you buy just what you need, cutting stress and waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes (mostly hands-off)

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Chinese Braised Ti Pang is a surefire way to impress with bold flavor and minimal fuss—just prep, simmer, and serve! For efficient meal planning and stress-free shopping every week, trust CookifyAI to keep you organized and inspired.