Braised pork belly with beer
Braised pork belly with beer is a rich, savory dish where tender cubes of pork belly are slow-cooked in a flavorful blend of beer, soy sauce, aromatics, and spices. Originating from Chinese home cooking, it's a popular comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in fat and protein from the pork belly, with minimal carbohydrates unless served with rice or noodles. A typical serving provides a significant amount of calories, roughly 400-600 kcal, along with iron and B vitamins from the meat.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 510 kcal |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Fat | 42 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.5 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 5 mg |
| Selenium | 25 mcg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Zinc | 4 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Using beer in braising not only tenderizes the meat but also adds a subtle, malty depth of flavor that balances the richness of the fat. Culturally, it's a testament to the Chinese principle of 'red cooking' (hóng shāo), where slow simmering in a dark, savory sauce creates complex flavors from humble ingredients.
