Instant Pot Chinese Braised Pork

Introduction

If you’re searching for an irresistibly flavorful dish that’s quick to prepare but tastes like it simmered all day, Instant Pot Chinese Braised Pork is your answer. The combination of succulent pork, rich soy sauce, aromatic spices, and just a hint of sweetness yields a melt-in-your-mouth meal that’s perfect for cozy family dinners or sharing with friends. Using the Instant Pot dramatically reduces cook time, turning a traditional labor-intensive recipe into an achievable weeknight favorite.

Deliciously Unique Instant Pot Chinese Braised Pork

What makes this dish a true standout is its harmonious balance of savory, sweet, and umami. The pork absorbs bold flavors from classic Chinese ingredients like star anise, ginger, and Shaoxing wine, creating depth in every tender bite. The pressure-cooking process infuses seasonings deep into the meat, while the hands-off cooking means you spend more time enjoying and less time prepping.

Mastering the Rich Braising Sauce

This signature sauce starts with soy sauce and dark soy sauce for a beautiful color and robust taste. Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry as a substitute) adds subtle complexity, while brown sugar or rock sugar enhances the natural sweetness. Ginger, garlic, and star anise round out the aroma. For best results, combine the sauce components in advance, allowing them to meld while you prep the pork.

How to Brown and Braise in the Instant Pot

Begin with a quick sauté of pork in the Instant Pot, browning the meat to develop a savory crust. After adding your sauce and aromatics, let the Instant Pot work its magic! High pressure ensures fork-tender pork in a fraction of the time. If you want a thicker sauce, finish with a brief simmer using the “Sauté” mode at the end.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Meal

This braised pork pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice, fluffy bao buns, or tender noodles. Garnish with freshly chopped scallions and a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds for restaurant-worthy presentation. A simple side of quick stir-fried bok choy or baby broccoli complements the savory richness beautifully.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty servings. Each portion provides approximately 400 to 450 calories, depending on your cut of pork and optional toppings. It’s a satisfying, protein-rich main dish, especially when rounded out with steamed veggies and rice.

Instant Pot Chinese Braised Pork (Recap)

Enjoy the robust, nuanced flavors of traditional Chinese braised pork, made simple with Instant Pot convenience. Juicy, fall-apart pork and a deeply flavorful sauce make this a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any meal.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Set your Instant Pot to “Sauté.” Add the oil and pork pieces. Brown pork on all sides, working in batches if necessary, for about 5 minutes.
2. Add minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for another minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and brown sugar. Mix well, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Pour in water. Add star anise, optional cinnamon stick, and scallion, if using. Lock the lid in place and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on high for 30 minutes.
5. When the timer is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.
6. If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the pork, switch the Instant Pot to “Sauté,” and simmer the sauce for 5–10 minutes until reduced. Return pork to the pot and stir to coat.
7. Serve hot over steamed rice, topped with chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Instant Pot recipe is ideal for batch cooking or prepping ahead—double the servings for easy lunches or dinner later in the week. Save and schedule this recipe to generate a streamlined shopping list and coordinate meal planning for effortless weeknight meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates ingredient totals across meals
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store section
• Prevents overbuying and forgotten items
• Simplifies your weekly meal prep and kitchen workflow

Pro tip: When planning several recipes using similar ingredients (like garlic or soy sauce), schedule your meals so CookifyAI combines quantities, making shopping easier and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes (including pressure building/release)
Total Time: 55 minutes