Stir Fried Garlic Pork Belly

If you are craving something insanely delicious that feels like it took all day to make, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this stir fried garlic pork belly recipe is exactly what you need. Thinly sliced pork belly, a ton of garlic cloves, seasoned simply, lightly coated in cornstarch, and then stir-fried until it’s just a little crispy while still being super juicy. The entire dish comes together in about 15 minutes with just a handful of ingredients. This pork belly is perfect on its own as a quick appetizer, but it’s even better when served over hot white rice with a classic Vietnamese soy sauce dipping sauce. That balance of salty, savory, slightly sweet, and spicy brings everything together. This is the kind of meal I make on busy weeknights when I want something comforting, flavorful, and low effort without sacrificing quality or taste.

How to Make Stir Fried Garlic Pork Belly

Making the Pork Belly

For this recipe, you can use either skin-on or skinless pork belly. I prefer skin-on pork belly because it adds another layer of texture once fried, but both options work well. Start by cutting the pork belly into thin, bite-sized pieces about half an inch thick. Keeping the pieces uniform helps them cook evenly and crisp properly. (Additionally, you can partially freeze the pork for 1-2 hours before slicing, which helps firm the meat and makes it easier to slice evenly and thinly.)

Add the sliced pork belly to a mixing bowl. Add whole garlic cloves, fish sauce, chicken bouillon, white pepper, and cornstarch. Mix everything thoroughly so each piece of pork belly is evenly coated. This step is important for both flavor and texture.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a big pan. Add the sliced pork belly, and then let it sit for a minute to brown. Then mix and continue to stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove the pork belly from the oil and briefly drain it on a rack or paper towels.

Making the Soy Sauce Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham Xi Dau)

Finely mince the garlic cloves and thinly slice the Thai chilis. Then, in a bowl, combine soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar, minced garlic, and chopped Thai chilis. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Taste and adjust to your preference. The sauce should be savory, sweet, and tart with a little bit of heat.

Serve the Stir Fried Garlic Pork Belly

Add freshly steamed white rice to a bowl. Layer in vegetables of your choice, like sliced cucumbers, for freshness and health. Top generously with pork belly, then spoon the soy sauce dipping sauce over it, or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with cilantro leaves. Enjoy!