Cantonese Steamed Pork Belly
Salted Fish

A classic, savory comfort dish featuring succulent pork belly slices steamed with fragrant salted fish, ginger, and soy sauce. This quick, 8-minute recipe creates tender meat that pairs perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice.

Ingredients

• 300 g pork belly (skin-on)
• 50 g salted fish
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp peanut oil
• 1 pinch ground white pepper
• 1 piece ginger (julienned)
• to taste green onions

Instructions

1. 1Slice the pork belly

   

   Take fresh, succulent pork belly and slice it into thin, uniform pieces. It is important to keep the skin on, as it provides a wonderful, chewy texture to the dish.

   Tip: Chilling the pork belly slightly in the freezer before slicing makes it much easier to achieve thin, consistent pieces.
2. 2Season the pork

   

   Place the sliced pork belly into a mixing bowl. Add minced garlic, salt, sugar, light soy sauce, cornstarch, a drizzle of peanut oil, and a dash of pepper to season the meat thoroughly.

   Tip: Using cornstarch helps to lock in the juices and creates a velvety texture on the surface of the meat during steaming.
3. 3Massage the marinade

   

   Using a gloved hand, thoroughly mix the pork slices with the seasonings. Continue massaging until the marinade is well incorporated and the mixture feels slightly sticky, which ensures every slice is flavorful.

   Tip: Mixing by hand is the best way to ensure even distribution of the seasonings and the right texture.
4. 4Arrange on the plate

   

   Transfer the marinated pork belly to a flat, heat-proof plate. Spread the meat out into a thin, even layer using chopsticks so that it cooks uniformly.

   Tip: Spreading the meat thinly is crucial for even steaming and ensures it cooks quickly without overcrowding the plate.
5. 5Top with salted fish

   

   Take the prepared pieces of salted fish and arrange them evenly on top of the spread-out pork belly. The savory, salty flavor of the fish will infuse the meat during the steaming process.

   Tip: If the salted fish is very salty, you can soak it briefly in warm water before adding it to the pork to adjust the flavor intensity.
6. 6Garnish and steam

   

   Sprinkle fresh ginger strips over the top of the pork and salted fish. Place the plate in a steamer and cook on high heat for 8 minutes until the pork is fully cooked and aromatic.

   Tip: Ginger helps to remove any fishiness and adds a refreshing, aromatic kick to the dish.

Storing & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions