Easy Stir Fried Pork Belly Recipe with Okra

Stir fried pork belly recipe with green okra, red chili slices, and whole garlic cloves in a savory sauce, presented in a black serving bowl.
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine: , ,
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Beginner
Servings: 4
Calories: 550
Description

This easy Asian pork belly stir fry recipe serves four, featuring succulent pork belly and vibrant, crisp okra tossed with aromatic garlic, ginger, and red chilies in a savory, glossy sauce.

Ingredients
    Main
  • 1½ pounds (about 680g) of boneless, skin-on pork belly
  • 12 oz (340g) of fresh okra, trimmed and halved
  • 6 large garlic cloves, smashed and sliced thin
  • 2 long long red chilies, thinly sliced diagonally
  • 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced or minced
  • 3 stalks of green onions or scallions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
    • Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce (use low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer)
  • 1 teaspoon of dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine)
  • 1 teaspoon of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons of a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil
  • salt & white pepper, to taste
How to Cook Pork Belly Stir Fry (Step-By-Step Instructions)
  1. 1
    Blanch the Pork Belly
    • Cut the pork belly into 1-inch slices, then into bite-sized chunks.
    • Place the pork belly slices in a medium pot and cover with just enough cold water to submerge them.
    • Add a few slices of fresh ginger and the smashed white part of a green onion to help remove any strong odors.
    • Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower to a gentle simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
    • Skim off any foam or impurities.
    • Drain in a colander and rinse the pork belly under hot tap water until clean.
    • Pat the pork belly slices completely dry with paper towels.
    • This quick blanching step makes the pork tender, reduces greasiness, and ensures a better golden sear in your stir-fry.
  2. 2
    Slice the Pork Belly
    • Once the blanched pork belly has cooled enough to handle, place it on a cutting board.
    • Slice each piece against the grain into thin, even slices, about ⅛-inch thick.
    • Thin slices cook quickly, crisp up nicely, and stay tender instead of turning chewy.
  3. 3
    Prepare the Okra
    • Trim both ends off the okra pods, then slice them diagonally into ½-inch pieces.
    • The diagonal cut helps the okra cook faster and soak up more sauce.
    • If you want to reduce the sliminess of okra, soak the sliced okra in ¼ cup vinegar for 15 to 30 minutes.
    • Rinse well under cold water, then dry before cooking.
    • High-heat stir-frying will also keep the okra crisp and prevent excess sliminess.
  4. 4
    Sear the Pork Belly
    • Place a wok or large frying pan over high heat until it’s lightly smoking.
    • Add 1 tablespoon of neutral cooking oil to the hot wok, swirling to coat the surface.
    • Immediately add the thinly sliced, blanched pork belly in a single layer.
    • Let it sear without stirring for about 1 minute to start browning.
    • Stir fry for 6 to 8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the pork is golden brown, slightly crispy, and much of the fat has rendered out.
    • Remove the pork belly with a slotted spoon, leaving about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the wok to cook the vegetables.
    • Spoon out any excess fat if needed.
  5. 5
    Sauté the Aromatics
    • Keep the wok over high heat with the rendered pork fat.
    • Add the smashed garlic cloves, sliced ginger, and red chilies.
    • Stir-fry for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  6. 6
    Stir-Fry the Okra
    • Add the sliced okra to the wok.
    • Stir fry over high heat for 4 to 6 minutes, tossing often, until tender-crisp and lightly blistered.
    • Keep the heat high to prevent sliminess and maintain a fresh, crisp texture.
  7. 7
    Combine and Finish
    • Mix the sauce in a small bowl (light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, sugar, salt, white pepper).
    • Return the crispy pork belly to the wok with the okra and aromatics.
    • Pour the sauce around the edges of the wok and let it heat briefly.
    • Then stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes until everything is coated in the glossy sauce.
    • Turn off the heat, drizzle with sesame oil, and toss gently for a final nutty aroma and shine.
  8. 8
    Garnish and ServePork belly stir fry recipe featuring tender pork belly slices, fresh okra, red chili, and garlic in a glossy sauce.
    • Transfer the stir fried pork belly with okra to a warm serving plate.
    • Garnish generously with the reserved sliced green onion greens.
    • Taste and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of sugar or a splash of soy sauce, if needed.
    • Serve right away with steamed jasmine rice.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Serving Size Approximately 1½ cups (250g)

Amount Per Serving
Calories 550kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 40g62%
Saturated Fat 18g90%
Cholesterol 122mg41%
Sodium 705mg30%
Potassium 603mg18%
Total Carbohydrate 9g3%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Sugars 3g
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 50 IU
Vitamin C 15 mg
Calcium 76.5 mg
Iron 2 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note
  • After blanching and rinsing the pork belly, pat it extremely dry with paper towels, as any moisture will prevent proper searing and crisping.
  • Ensure the wok or pan is smoking hot before adding ingredients, which is crucial for achieving "wok hei" and preventing vegetables from steaming.
  • Cook the okra quickly over high heat, soak briefly in vinegar, and dry thoroughly before cooking.
  • Spoon out excess rendered fat during the pork belly rendering, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the wok to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
  • Taste the sauce mixture before adding it to the wok and adjust sugar or soy sauce as needed to suit your preference.
Read it online: https://tinakitchen.com/recipe/stir-fried-pork-belly-recipe/

We hope you enjoy making this recipe.

Happy cooking!