This cabbage and pork belly recipe is one of my go-to recipes when I want something quick, satisfying, and full of savory goodness. If you’re looking for a simple, flavorful dish to add to your dinner rotation, here it is!
The tender pork belly pairs perfectly with the crisp cabbage, all tossed in a delicious sauce that’s easy to whip up. I’ll walk you through each step so you can create this tasty dish at home with confidence.
You’ll Love this Stir Fry!
You’ll enjoy making this cabbage stir fry because it’s effortless to make and packed with flavor!
The juicy pork belly and crisp cabbage come together in a rich, well-balanced sauce that’s both comforting and vibrant. It’s versatile enough for a weeknight dinner yet satisfying enough to serve for any occasion. My easy-to-follow instructions will make recreating this dish in your kitchen a breeze.
It’s a comforting meal that’s quick to prepare, and the ingredients are easy to find. Once you try it, I think it’ll become one of your favorite quick to make Chinese recipes.
Key Ingredients
Here’s a quick grocery list of the fresh ingredients and why they’re key to this delicious stir fry. You should find most of these items at your local regular or Asian grocery stores.
Skinless Pork Belly Sheet
Rich and flavorful, this cut provides the perfect balance of meat and fat for a delicious stir fry
Cabbage
Fresh and crisp, layers of cabbage add a light, slightly sweet element to the dish. I use the round, green cabbage with denser leaves than Napa cabbage.
Green Onions
These bring a mild, zesty kick that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Thai Peppers
A fiery addition that you can adjust based on your spice preference.
Cloves of Garlic
Fresh garlic adds a bold, aromatic flavor to the stir fry. Coarsely chop the cloves to release their natural oils and enhance the dish.
Soy Sauce or Liquid Aminos (gluten-free alternative)
The choice is yours. Soy sauce is your classic pantry staple or if you are gluten sensitive, I love Bragg’s liquid aminos, a gluten-free seasoning option that enhances the dish and adds a light broth with a deep umami flavor.
Variations
Below are some easy recipe substitutes or variations to try.
Pork Belly Substitute
Swap the pork belly slices with thinly sliced chicken, beef, or tofu for a leaner or vegetarian option.
Cabbage Options
In this stir fry, you can substitute different cabbages like Napa cabbage leaves, Savoy cabbage, or red cabbage. Each offers a unique texture and flavor, with Napa being tender, Savoy slightly sweet, and red adding a colorful twist.
Adjust the Heat
If you prefer less spice, reduce the Thai peppers or replace them with milder chili peppers. Try jalapeño, serrano, Fresno, shishito, poblano, or banana peppers for a milder taste. For more heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of chili oil.
Soy Sauce Alternative
If you don’t have liquid aminos or GF soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos work as great gluten-free substitutes.
Add Veggies
Enhance the dish with sliced carrots, , spring onions, peppers, or snap peas for extra color and nutrition. Try ingredient varieties, including white button, shiitake mushrooms, baby bella, or shimeji mushrooms.
Sweet Options
Replace sugar with honey, maple syrup, or a sugar-free alternative for a slightly different sweetness.
Garnish Ideas
Top the stir-fry with sesame seeds or a drizzle of sesame oil for added flavor and presentation.
Directions
1 Prepare the Ingredients
Hand tear the large leaves of green cabbage into medium pieces, with a sharp knife, slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces, and slice the green onion and Thai peppers into small portions.
2 Cook the Pork
Place a wok, large pot, or large frying pan over high heat and let it get hot. Add the pork belly and stir-fry until it turns golden brown and the fat has rendered, about 5-7 minutes. If desired, remove excess fat from the pan to prevent the dish from being too greasy.
3 Add the Aromatics
Lower to medium heat and toss in the Thai peppers, sliced green onion, and garlic with the pork. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant.
4 Season the Stir Fry
Pour in the liquid aminos (or soy sauce), oyster sauce, salt, and sugar. Mix everything thoroughly, ensuring the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly.
5 Cook the Cabbage & Adjust Seasonings
Add the cabbage to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. Allow the cabbage to soften slightly while still retaining a bit of crunch.
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning, adding more liquid aminos, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, a pinch of salt or sugar more to balance the flavors. Garnish with the remaining green onion (green parts), stir to combine, and
Serve immediately. Transfer the stir fry to a serving plate and enjoy it with steamed rice or noodles.
FAQ
The best cuts of pork for Chinese stir fry are pork belly for its rich flavor, pork tenderloin for its tenderness, and pork shoulder or pork loin when sliced thinly. Boneless pork chops also work well if sliced thin.
Yes, you can use Napa cabbage instead of green cabbage. It has a milder flavor and softer texture but will still work well in the stir fry. Just adjust the cooking time as it wilts faster. You should find either at regular grocery stores or Asian markets.
Yes, you can make this stir fry gluten-free by using gluten-free liquid aminos or tamari instead of soy sauce. Just check other sauces and seasonings for gluten.
To prevent the cabbage from becoming soggy, make sure to stir-fry it on high heat for a short time, just 3-4 minutes, until it’s tender but still slightly crunchy. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can release moisture and make the cabbage soggy.
Tips and Tricks
Choose the Right Pork Belly
Use fresh, skinless pork belly for the best texture and flavor. Slice it thinly to ensure even cooking.
Use Fresh Ingredients
The fresh and simple ingredients, cabbage and green onions will greatly improve the dish’s flavor and crunch!
Prep Everything First
Have all your ingredients sliced, measured, and ready to go before you start cooking since stir-frying cooking moves very fast!
Work Quickly
Stir-fry over high heat and move quickly to prevent overcooking and to maintain vibrant colors and flavors.
Preheat Your Pan
Always start with a hot wok or skillet to sear the pork belly properly and achieve that delicious caramelization.
Render the Fat
Let the pork belly cook until its fat renders, but don’t hesitate to drain some of the excess fat if you prefer a lighter dish.
Don’t Overcook the Cabbage
Stir-fry the cabbage just until it softens slightly but still retains its crunch for the best texture.
What to Serve With Stir Fry
Here are some great pairings for your stir fry.
Rice
This dish pairs well with jasmine rice, white rice, brown rice, fried rice, or sticky rice to soak up the sauce.
Noodles
Egg noodles, rice noodles, or chow mein pair well with this stir fry, by adding a variety of textures from soft to crispy.
Soup
Hot and sour, miso, egg drop, or wonton soup pair wonderfully with this recipe.
Vegetables
Stir-fried bok choy, steamed broccoli, sautéed spinach, or roasted carrots make great vegetable sides to complement this stir fry.
Sides
Sides like dumplings, bao buns, or spring rolls pair perfectly with a Cabbage and Pork Belly dish, adding savory, soft, or crispy textures for balance.
Drinks
Pair this meal with green tea, jasmine tea, or oolong for tradition, or enjoy sparkling water, citrus drinks, white wine, or a light lager to balance the flavors.
Sauces
Hoisin, oyster sauce, soy sauce, or chili garlic sauce pair well with this dinner, adding sweet, savory, or spicy flavors.
Other Delicious Chinese Recipes
Discover other mouthwatering Asian dishes in the new recipes linked below.
Easy Pork Dumplings
Braised Pork
Pork Stir Fry
Chicken and Potato Stew
Chinese Lo Mein Noodles
Instant Pot Soup
Easy Dipping Sauce
What to Serve with Chinese Dumplings
Sautéed Style Shrimp
Below is the recipe card with the easy pork belly recipe!
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Cabbage and Pork Belly Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
You’re going to love this quick and easy stir fry with tender pork slices and savory layers of crisp, delicious cabbage.
Ingredients
3/4 pound (340 g) skinless pork belly slices
2–3 Thai chili peppers, to your preferred spice level
6 green onions, sliced, separate green from white parts
6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons Bragg’s gluten-free liquid aminos or soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1/2–1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1–2 teaspoon sugar (to taste)
1 head cabbage, washed, thoroughly dried, torn in bite-size pieces
Instructions
1 Prepare the Ingredients
Using a sharp knife, cut the pork belly into bite-sized pieces. Wash, dry, and tear the larger cabbage leaves into medium-sized sections by hand, and slice the green onions and Thai peppers.
2 Cook the Pork
In a wok or large pot, fry the pork slices over high heat until they release their oil and turn crispy and golden brown. If there’s too much pork belly oil in the pan for your liking, feel free to drain some off, but be sure to retain a portion, as it contributes to the flavor!
3 Add the Aromatics
Reduce to medium heat, then add diced Thai peppers, the white parts of green onions, and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
4 Season the Stir Fry
Add liquid aminos (or soy sauce), oyster sauce, salt, and sugar to the pan, stirring briefly to combine.
5 Cook the Cabbage & Adjust Seasonings
Add the cabbage and cook down until tender, with a slight crunch remaining. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning, adding more liquid aminos, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, or sugar to balance the flavors. Garnish with the remaining green onion (green parts), stir to combine, and serve immediately.
6 Enjoy!
Serve immediately. This dish is best enjoyed fresh off the stove, while the pork is juicy and the cabbage is crisp.
Notes
Cut Evenly
Tear the cabbage and cut the pork belly into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
Adjust the Spice Level
Add or reduce Thai peppers to control the heat. If you prefer mild flavors, use less or remove the seeds before cooking.
Don’t Overcook the Cabbage
Stir-fry the cabbage just until it softens slightly but still retains its crunch for the best texture.
Garnishes
Top the dish with toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of sesame oil for extra aroma and flavor.
Storage
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. Reheat in a microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
This stir fry is a wonderful go-to recipe you’ll keep coming back to because it’s so flavorful yet so simple to make.
The rich, juicy pork belly paired with the fresh, crisp cabbage creates a wonderful contrast that’s hard to resist. It’s a perfect dish for a cold day, rainy night, or anytime!
Please comment below on how your cabbage stir-fry turns out! I’d love to hear from you. Be sure to subscribe or follow me on social media for more inspiration!
xo,
Cindy
Everybody loved this .. delicious! Great as a main dish or side.