Glazed Pork Belly and Prawns: A Weeknight Winner

Servings: 4 Total Time: 25 mins Difficulty: Beginner
A quick and flavourful combination of glazed pork belly bites and tender prawns, perfect for pairing with jasmine rice and steamed greens. This savoury-sweet dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner option.
Glazed pork belly bites and prawns pinit

We’ve all been there – staring into the fridge, pondering, “What’s for dinner?”. But tonight, the decision was made for me. It was the day before my weekly shop, and all I had left were a pack of pork belly strips and cooked king prawns. Originally intended for summer rolls, they instead became the stars of an impromptu weeknight dinner. Tims was tight, the kids were hungry, and I needed something quick but satisfying. Glazed pork belly and prawns it is then!

The dish is a beautiful balance of sweet, savoury pork and tender prawns, perfect with a bowl of jasmine rice and some steamed greens. Best of all? It’s ready in under 30 minutes. Let me walk you through it!

Ingredients you’ll need

The essentials here are pork belly and prawns. If you only have pork belly in the fridge, don’t worry, it’s delicious on its own.

Ingredients

For the pork

  • Pork belly strips, sliced (see tips below)
  • Fish sauce
  • Sugar or honey
  • Ground black pepper

For the aromatics

  • Minced garlic
  • Spring onions (white and green parts separated)

You will also need some olive oil for frying.

Tips for slicing pork belly

Slicing pork belly strips can get a bit tricky. Use a sharp knife, and slice against the grain for tender bites. Keep the slices about 0.5cm thick to avoid them drying out. If you have time, pop the pork in the freezer for 30 minutes beforehand – it firms up the meat, making slicing easier.

How to cook

1. Infuse the oil

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and the white parts of the spring onion. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Once golden brown, remove the garlic and onion, leaving the infused oil in the pan. Set the crispy aromatics aside.

Fry garlic and onion

2. Cook the pork belly

Turn the heat up to high and add the pork slices. Lay them flat in the pan (it’s okay if some pieces overlap slightly).

Add meat slices

After 2-3 minutes, flip the slices to brown the other side.

Brown one side

Once both sides are golden, stir them around the pan to ensure even cooking.

3. Season

Add fish sauce and ground black pepper, stirring well. Let the flavour meld for 2-3 minutes.

4. Glaze and finish

Stir in sugar or honey during the last minute of cooking. This prevents the glaze from crystallising. Toss in the cooked prawns and return the crispy garlic and onion to the pan. Stir everything together until well coated.

5. Garnish

Turn off the heat and sprinkle the green parts of the spring onion on top. Give it one final stir, and you’re done!

Garnishing

Dinner, Sorted

Glazed pork belly and prawns

While the pork was cooking, I quickly steamed some asparagus and got the rice ready. By the time the dish was done, the kids had set the table, a minor miracle in itself! The sweet, savoury aroma of the pork belly and prawns filled the kitchen, making it impossible to wait for any longer.

Glazed pork belly and prawns

In less than half an hour, I went from a nearly empty fridge to a family-pleasing meal. If you’re after a quick dinner that doesn’t skimp on flavour, this glazed pork belly and prawns is one to try.

Let me know if you give it a go – happy cooking!

Looking for more inspiration? Don’t forget to explore my other delicious pork recipes for even more mealtime ideas.

5 from 1 vote

Glazed Pork Belly and Prawns: A Weeknight Winner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 15 mins Total Time 25 mins
Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: £ 8

Description

Glazed pork belly bites and prawns are a quick and flavourful dinner option, perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy, sweet, and savoury pork belly pairs beautifully with tender prawns, creating a dish that’s best enjoyed with jasmine rice and steamed greens. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a delicious way to turn a nearly empty fridge into a family-pleasing meal.

Glazed Pork Belly Bites and Prawns

Cooking Mode Disabled

Pork Belly

Aromatics

Add-on

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Aromatics
    • Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat
    • Add minced garlic and the white part of the spring onions.
    • Stir until slightly golden, then remove and set aside, leaving the infused oil in the pan. 
  1. Cook the Pork Belly
    • Increase the heat to high and add the sliced pork belly. 
    • Sear each side for 2-3 minutes until golden. 
    • Stir occasionally and season with fish sauce and black pepper. 
  1. Glaze and Add Prawns
    • Stir in sugar or honey during the last minute of cooking to glaze the pork. Add the cooked prawns and the crispy garlic and spring onions.
    • Stir well to coat evenly.
  1. Garnish and Serve
    • Sprinkle the green parts of the spring onion over the dish. 
    • Serve hot with jasmine rice and steamed greens

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4


Amount Per Serving
Calories 691.02kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 69.66g108%
Saturated Fat 24.59g123%
Cholesterol 90.31mg31%
Sodium 749.54mg32%
Potassium 289.52mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 2.81g1%
Dietary Fiber 0.3g2%
Sugars 1.56g
Protein 12.46g25%

Vitamin A 7.79 IU
Vitamin C 2.42 mg
Calcium 20.64 mg
Iron 0.9 mg
Vitamin E 1.01 IU
Vitamin K 16.91 mcg
Thiamin 0.5 mg
Riboflavin 0.31 mg
Niacin 6.08 mg
Vitamin B6 0.23 mg
Folate 10.44 mcg
Vitamin B12 1.09 mcg
Phosphorus 142.7 mg
Magnesium 23.24 mg
Zinc 1.35 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: Quick pork belly recipe, Glazed pork belly bites, Pork and prawn dinner, Easy weeknight dinner, Stir-fried pork belly, Jasmine rice dinner ideas, Quick meal recipe

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Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
1. Can I use raw prawns instead of cooked prawns?

Yes, you can. Simply add raw prawns the pan a few minutes before turn the heat off. Stir and cook until the prawns turn pink and are fully cooked through. 

2. What can I use instead of pork belly?

Pork shoulder sliced thinly can be a good substitute. The texture will differ slightly, but they will still absorb the glaze beautifully. 

3. What can I serve with this dish?

Jasmine rice is the best paring. But you can also serve it with egg noodles or a fresh salad for a lighter option. 

Thao Bui

Food Blogger, Stylist and Photographer

Hi there, it’s lovely to meet you! I am a home cook, food lover and the founder of Summer and Spice. Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam—a city abundant in rich, diverse flavours—I now live in the UK with my husband and three kids.

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  1. Hieu
    Made this recipe Recommends this recipe

    amazing recipe, loved all of the flavours and it’s fusions! Would definitely recommend 👍

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