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Instant Pot Red Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou 红烧肉) Recipe

Hong Shao Rou is a very popular dish in China. This savory and aromatic dish possesses beautiful colors and flavors. Follow my simplified Instant Pot recipe to wow your entire family with this dish!
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Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Natural Release Time:30 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Shanghainese
Keyword: hong shao rou, instant pot hong shao rou, instant pot pork belly, instant pot red braised pork belly, red braised pork belly
Servings: 4
Calories: 550kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 2 lb pork belly
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • 2 stalks scallions chopped

BRAISING LIQUID

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 1 large thumb ginger sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • 2 tbsp rock sugar (or brown sugar)

CORN STARCH SLURRY

  • 1 tbsp room temp water
  • 1 tbsp corn starch

Instructions

PARBOILING

  • Cut the pork belly into 1" thick pieces, then place them into a medium sized pot. Fill the pot with enough cold water to cover the pork.
  • Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then immediately turn off the fire and discard the scummy water.
  • Rinse the pork until clean. Drain all the water and set the pork aside.

INSTANT POT

  • Plug in the Instant Pot, remove the lid, then select the sauté function.
  • When the "hot" indicator is on, add 1 tbsp of neutral oil, swirling to coat evenly, then add the pork belly pieces and sear for about 1 minute.
  • Transfer all the braising liquid ingredients to the inner pot, then stir until well incorporated.
  • Close the lid, ensure the steam valve is in sealing position, then cancel the sauté function and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
  • When time is up, allow the pressure to naturally release completely, then remove the lid, hit cancel and select sauté again.
  • Make the corn starch slurry by mixing 1 tbsp of water with 1 tbsp of corn starch.
  • When the liquid in the Instant Pot begins to bubble, pour the corn starch slurry into the inner pot and gently mix until sauce thickens.
  • Optionally, garnish the dish with chopped scallions. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

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