Braised Pork Belly Tacos

These delicious braised pork belly tacos are the perfect combination of flavours and textures. They’re loaded with sticky braised Chinese pork belly and a spicy yet creamy Asian-inspired slaw. Please note that this recipe is adapted from Lee Kum Kee’s Easy to Cook Braised Pork Belly recipe.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Key Ingredients
• East Meets West: Chinese Pork in Mexican Tacos
• What’s So Special About Pork Belly?
• Boiling and Frying: A Two-Step Technique
• Making the Perfect Slaw
• Tips for Perfect Braised Pork Belly Tacos
• Where to Shop
• More Tacos

Introduction

These delicious Braised Pork Belly Tacos are a delightful fusion of Chinese-inspired braised pork belly and Mexican tacos. The combination of tender, sticky pork belly with a spicy, creamy slaw makes for a truly delicious dish. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just looking for a unique weeknight meal, these tacos are sure to impress. Let’s explore what makes these tacos so special, starting with a breakdown of the ingredients.

Key Ingredients

• Pork Belly: This is the star of the dish, offering a rich and tender texture when braised.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the ginger and pork belly, adding a slight crispness to the meat.
• Fresh Ginger: Adds a spicy and aromatic note to the pork belly.
• Lee Kum Kee Red Braising Sauce: Provides a deep, savoury flavour essential for braising the pork.
• Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the slaw dressing.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy brightness to the slaw dressing.
• Lee Kum Kee Chiu Chow Chilli Oil: Provides a spicy kick to the slaw.
• Sugar: Balances the flavours in the slaw dressing.
• White Cabbage: Thinly sliced for a crisp and fresh slaw.
• Spring Onions: Adds a sharp, fresh flavour to the slaw and as a garnish.
• Roasted Peanuts: Adds a crunchy texture and nutty flavour to the slaw and as a garnish.
• Soft Taco Shells: The vessel for all the delicious fillings; warm them just before serving.

East Meets West: Chinese Pork in Mexican Tacos

These Braised Pork Belly Tacos bring together the rich flavours of Chinese cuisine and the vibrant, fresh elements of Mexican street food. The pork belly, braised in a savoury sauce with ginger, becomes incredibly tender and flavourful. This Chinese-inspired filling pairs perfectly with the light, fresh, and spicy slaw, creating a delightful blend of textures and tastes. This fusion highlights how versatile tacos can be, and how you can be creative in blending flavours and dishes across culinary traditions.

What’s So Special About Pork Belly?

Pork belly is a cut of meat that comes from the underside of the pig. It has a rich flavour and high fat content, making it a popular choice in many cuisines around the world. When braised, the fat in the pork belly melts, creating a tender, juicy, and flavourful meat that is hard to resist. The combination of the melt-in-your-mouth texture and the savoury braising sauce makes pork belly an ideal filling for these tacos.

Boiling and Frying: A Two-Step Technique

This recipe uses a two-step cooking process for the pork belly to achieve the perfect texture and flavour. First, you briefly boil the pork belly. Boiling helps to render out some of the fat and makes the meat more tender. After boiling, you fry the pork with ginger until brown and crispy. This step adds a depth of flavour and a slight crispness to the pork, enhancing the overall texture of the dish. Finally, you braise the pork in a flavourful sauce until it’s tender and sticky, perfect for filling tacos.

Making the Perfect Slaw

The blend of mayonnaise, rice vinegar, chilli oil, and sugar creates a spicy and creamy dressing that coats the white cabbage and spring onions. The addition of chopped roasted peanuts adds a satisfying crunch to the slaw. This slaw not only adds a fresh and vibrant element to the tacos but also balances the richness of the braised pork belly, making each bite perfectly balanced.

Tips for Perfect Braised Pork Belly Tacos

• Heat the Tortillas Properly: Warming the tortillas just before serving ensures they are soft and pliable, making them easier to fill and fold.
• Let the Pork Rest: Allowing the pork to rest after braising helps it retain its juices and makes it easier to shred.
• Customise Your Toppings: Feel free to add your favourite toppings, such as fresh coriander, lime wedges, or pickled vegetables, to make these tacos your own.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the slaw ahead of time and whip it out when you’re ready to assemble the tacos, making this a convenient option for busy days.

Where to Shop

You can find most ingredients for these tacos in mainstream supermarket. For specialty items like Lee Kum Kee Red Braising Sauce and Chiu Chow Chilli Oil, check the international aisle or visit an Asian market.

More Tacos

If you love tacos, why not try one of my other taco recipes?

• Crispy Fish Tacos: These Baja-inspired fish tacos are the perfect balance of flavours and textures. They’re loaded with crispy beer-battered fish, a zingy cabbage slaw, sweet and sour pickled chillies and a chipotle crema.
• Sticky Chipotle Tofu Tacos: These tasty tacos are packed with a zingy pineapple slaw, crispy air fried tofu, coated in a sticky, smoky glaze, and chipotle crema. Yum!
• Chipotle Chicken Tacos: These delicious tacos are loaded with pulled chipotle chicken, homemade guacamole and a spicy tomato salsa. If you’d prefer a veggie option, substitute the chicken for pulled oyster mushrooms – they work beautifully!

These Braised Pork Belly Tacos are a delicious and versatile dish that brings together the best of Chinese and Mexican cuisines. The tender, flavourful pork belly paired with the spicy, creamy slaw creates a unique and unforgettable dining experience. Whether you stick with the original recipe or customise it to your taste, these tacos are sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, warm your tortillas, and get ready to savour every bite of these delectable tacos!