Instant Pot Chinese Braised Pork

Introduction

Few dishes capture the deep, savory essence of Chinese comfort food quite like Chinese Braised Pork. Utilizing the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart streamlines the traditionally long braising process, giving you melt-in-your-mouth pork in a fraction of the time. This recipe delivers a glossy, aromatic stew enriched with soy, ginger, and fragrant spices — ideal for impressing guests or creating a weeknight dinner everyone will savor.

Why Make Instant Pot Chinese Braised Pork?

What makes this dish stand out is its incredible combination of tender pork belly, luscious sauce, and intoxicating aromatics, all achieved with minimal effort. Leveraging modern pressure cooking, you get restaurant-level flavor and texture without hours in the kitchen. Serve it over fluffy rice or steamed buns, and you have a true crowd-pleaser that hits every note of umami, sweetness, and warmth.

Building Authentic Flavors: Preparation Tips

To ensure the flavors shine, use high-quality soy sauces, fresh ginger, garlic, and a blend of whole spices. Prepping your aromatics is a breeze with the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper, allowing you to dice onions and mince garlic efficiently—this not only saves time but helps maintain even cooking.

Consider briefly searing your pork in the Instant Pot using the sauté function before pressure cooking. It enhances the umami and gives the pork extra depth, while browned bits on the bottom deglaze beautifully into the sauce.

Assembling and Cooking in the Instant Pot

Ready your pork belly and aromatics. For uniform slicing (and to spare your knives), use a sturdy Bamboo Cutting Board for Kitchen, Set of 3. Once ingredients are in the pot, lock the lid and let the Instant Pot do the heavy lifting. The natural pressure release helps meld the flavors together, resulting in a sauce that clings lovingly to each morsel of pork.

Transfer any leftovers to Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) for easy reheating and meal prep.

Serving Ideas for a Complete Chinese Braised Pork Meal

Pair your braised pork with steamed jasmine rice or nestle it in bao buns for an authentic touch. Sautéed bok choy or blanched broccoli add welcome greens, while a drizzle of sauce over crisp veggies creates a restaurant-caliber dish.

If you’re entertaining, serve portions in a Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl, Khaki Green for an elegant, fuss-free presentation at potlucks or family-style meals.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 6 generous servings. Each serving clocks in around 450–500 calories, primarily from the pork belly. While inherently rich, the portion size can easily be adjusted, and you can use leaner cuts of pork if desired.

Instant Pot Chinese Braised Pork: The Recap

Chinese Braised Pork in the Instant Pot delivers heady aromas and fork-tender pork in under an hour. The combination of aromatic ginger, garlic, and spices, all infused into succulent pork, guarantees an unforgettable meal that’s achievable even on a busy weeknight.

Instructions

1. Use the Instant Pot’s sauté function to heat the oil. Add pork belly in batches, browning all sides to develop flavor. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté ginger and garlic in the remaining oil for 1 minute until fragrant. Add sugar and stir until it begins to melt and caramelize.
3. Return pork belly to the pot. Stir in both soy sauces and Shaoxing wine, coating pork evenly. Add star anise, cinnamon, and scallions.
4. Pour in water and mix well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom.
5. Seal Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Allow natural release for 10 minutes, then vent remaining pressure.
6. Open the pot; if you prefer a thicker sauce, switch to sauté mode and simmer for 5–10 minutes until reduced.
7. Serve the pork and sauce hot over steamed rice or nestled in bao buns. Garnish with additional sliced scallions.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes (including pressurizing and natural release)

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Enjoy the unbeatable flavor and convenience of this Instant Pot Chinese Braised Pork—sure to satisfy your craving for authentic Chinese comfort food any night of the week!