Description
A classic Vietnamese comfort dish, Thit Kho Tieu features tender pork belly braised in a rich caramel sauce with black pepper. It’s savory, sweet, and deeply aromatic.
Ingredients
- Pork Belly: 2 pounds, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- Fish Sauce: 3 tablespoons
- Sugar: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Shallots: 2 medium, thinly sliced
- Black Pepper: 1 tablespoon, freshly cracked
- Coconut Water: 1.5 cups
- Neutral Oil: 1 tablespoon
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Heat your clay pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until fully dry.
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix fish sauce and coconut water. Set aside.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Add oil to the pot, then stir in sugar. Let it melt and caramelize into a deep amber color, about 3–5 minutes.
- Assemble the Dish: Add shallots and garlic to the caramel. Stir quickly, then add pork belly. Sear each piece until lightly browned.
- Cook to Perfection: Pour in the coconut water and fish sauce mix. Add freshly cracked black pepper. Simmer on low, covered, for 1 to 1.5 hours until pork is tender and sauce has thickened.
- Finishing Touches: Uncover in the last 10 minutes to let the sauce reduce to a glossy glaze. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot over steamed jasmine rice, garnished with extra cracked black pepper and scallions if desired.
Notes
- Use freshly cracked black pepper for maximum aroma and flavor.
- Clay pots offer the best simmering environment for authentic results.
- Let the dish rest 10 minutes before serving for deeper flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 870mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Vietnamese, Thit Kho Tieu, Caramelized Pork Belly, Black Pepper Pork, Braised Pork, Asian Comfort Food