Vietnamese Caramel Pork Bowls Recipe
Vietnamese Caramel Pork Bowls feature tender, sweet-savory caramel pork served over fragrant jasmine rice, topped with fresh vegetables, herbs, and crunchy peanuts for a perfect balance of flavors and textures in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop Simmering and Searing
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
For the caramel pork:
- 1 lb (450 g) pork belly or pork shoulder, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, minced
- ¼ cup fish sauce
- ½ cup water
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For serving:
- Cooked jasmine rice
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup cucumber slices
- ½ cup fresh cilantro or mint
- 2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Make the caramel sauce: In a large skillet or wok, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts and transforms into a golden caramel color, ensuring it does not burn.
- Cook the pork: Carefully add vegetable oil, garlic, and shallots to the caramelized sugar, being cautious of splattering. Add the pork pieces and sear them until they are lightly browned on all sides.
- Add seasoning and simmer: Stir in fish sauce, water, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and allow the pork to simmer gently for 20–25 minutes until it becomes tender and the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Prepare the bowls: Divide the cooked jasmine rice evenly into serving bowls. Top each bowl with the caramel pork, shredded carrots, cucumber slices, fresh cilantro or mint, and chopped roasted peanuts.
- Serve: Just before eating, squeeze fresh lime wedges over the bowls to add a bright, tangy contrast to the rich pork.
Notes
- You can substitute pork shoulder with pork belly for a richer flavor and more fat content.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar slightly when making the caramel.
- Fresh herbs like cilantro or mint can be used interchangeably based on preference.
- Roasted peanuts add a crunchy texture; you can omit or substitute with cashews if desired.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1 cup pork with toppings and 1 cup rice)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Vietnamese caramel pork, pork belly recipe, caramel pork bowls, Vietnamese rice bowl, easy pork dinner, caramelized pork, jasmine rice pork bowl
Find it online: https://maicook.com/vietnamese-caramel-pork-bowls-recipe/