Savory Chinese Pork Belly Crockpot Recipe

Introduction

There’s no denying the allure of melt-in-your-mouth pork belly—tender, deeply flavored, and endlessly versatile. This Savory Chinese Pork Belly Crockpot Recipe delivers all that magic with none of the stress: let your slow cooker handle the heavy lifting, while a classic combination of soy, aromatics, and spices transforms everyday pork belly into a restaurant-worthy meal.

Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or crowd-pleasing gatherings, this easy crockpot recipe produces succulent, rich, and slightly sticky pork belly that’s irresistible served over steamed rice, noodles, or crisp salad greens.

What Makes This Chinese Pork Belly Special?

This dish is defined by its harmonious layering of flavors—sweet, savory, and umami, with subtle undertones of five spice and ginger. Using a crockpot means effortless tenderization, marrying every strand of meat with the luxurious sauce. A final broil brings a caramelized finish for that classic sticky, lacquered Chinese pork belly touch.

Prepping Your Ingredients the Smart Way

Want even slices of ginger, perfectly minced garlic, and flawlessly chopped scallions? Save time and get consistent cuts with the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper, ensuring all your aromatics release maximum flavor and presentation is on point. For trimming and portioning pork belly, use sturdy KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears with Protective Sheath to keep things easy and safe.

Slow Cooking for Maximum Flavor

After a quick sear to lock in juices (optional but recommended for richer flavor), the pork belly simmers in a sauce of soy, Shaoxing wine, rock sugar, ginger, garlic, and star anise. The slow-cooker gives you perfectly tender pieces with barely any effort. For the ideal sear and easy transfer, try the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch.

Serving and Storing for the Best Experience

This pork belly is fabulous straight from the pot, but tastes even better after a day in the fridge as the flavors meld. Pack leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers to keep it fresh and leak-free.

Pair your pork belly with fluffy jasmine rice, steamed vegetables, or stuff it into buns for a party—or portion it into a hearty salad and take it on the go with a Bentgo Salad Container.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 6, with one serving (without rice or additions) averaging 400–500 calories depending on the amount of fat trimmed. Pork belly is rich and satisfying, best enjoyed as an occasional indulgence balanced by plenty of veggies or greens.

Savory Chinese Pork Belly Crockpot Recipe (Recap)

Rich, sticky, and full of umami, this Chinese pork belly is pure comfort—made simple with your slow cooker. It’s a true crowd-pleaser and a great dish for gatherings, meal prep, or that special dinner at home.

Instructions

1. Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to prep ginger, garlic, and scallions. Trim and cut pork belly; pat dry.
2. (Optional but recommended) In the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch, heat oil over medium-high. Sear pork belly pieces until browned on all sides, working in batches for best results.
3. Add pork belly, garlic, ginger, white parts of scallion, light and dark soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, five spice, star anise, and water to slow cooker. Stir well to coat all pieces.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours, or HIGH for 4 hours, until pork belly is tender and sauce is glossy. If sauce needs thickening, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for the last 30 minutes.
5. For a sticky, caramelized finish, arrange pork belly pieces on a Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll-lined baking sheet and broil for 2–4 minutes until edges are crisp and glossy.
6. Garnish with green scallion slices and toasted sesame seeds. Serve over rice, noodles, or in buns, with extra sauce spooned on top.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 7–8 hours (LOW) or 4 hours (HIGH)

Total Time: About 8 hours (hands-off for most of it)

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This savory Chinese pork belly crockpot recipe is your ticket to effortless flavor and comforting, succulent results—perfect for any occasion that calls for a hearty, show-stopping main.