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Vietnamese Thit Kho Tieu

Vietnamese Thit Kho Tieu
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Vietnamese Thit Kho Tieu is a classic caramelized pork stew featuring tender pork belly simmered in a savory, slightly sweet sauce flavored with black pepper and coconut water. This rich and comforting dish combines authentic Vietnamese flavors with simple ingredients, perfect for cozy meals and versatile serving options like steamed rice, boiled eggs, or rice noodles.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 to 2 lbs thick-cut pork belly, cut into 1 to 1.5 inch cubes
  • 2 cups coconut water
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 to 1.5 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar (or palm sugar as a variation)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 shallots, minced
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable or canola oil)
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pork: Cut the pork belly into thick, bite-sized cubes (1 to 1.5 inches). Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better caramelization.
  2. Sauté Aromatics and Caramelize Sugar: Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and shallots, cooking until fragrant and translucent. Add brown sugar and carefully melt it, stirring until it turns a deep amber caramel color.
  3. Brown the Pork: Add the pork cubes to the caramel sauce and stir to coat evenly. Allow the pork to brown lightly on all sides to lock in flavor and create a golden hue.
  4. Add Key Flavor Elements: Pour in the coconut water, fish sauce, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil to create the sweet-salty-peppery sauce base.
  5. Simmer Until Tender: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if needed to maintain the liquid level. Cook until pork is tender and infused with sauce.
  6. Optional – Add Boiled Eggs: About 10 minutes before finishing, add peeled hard-boiled eggs to the pot. Let them soak up the sauce and develop flavor.
  7. Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with extra fish sauce, sugar, or pepper if desired. Serve hot with steamed jasmine rice or your preferred side.

Notes

  • Caramelize sugar slowly to develop deep flavor without burning.
  • Use freshly cracked black pepper for more vibrant spice.
  • Simmer on low heat to ensure pork becomes tender without drying out.
  • Let stew rest for a few hours or overnight to intensify flavors.
  • Keep some fat on pork belly for moist, tender texture.
  • Substitute pork belly with pork shoulder or pork loin as preferred.
  • Use palm sugar instead of brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
  • Add fresh chilies or chili flakes to increase spiciness.
  • For vegetarian version, replace pork with firm tofu or seitan and use vegetable broth and soy sauce instead of fish sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Vietnamese pork stew, Thit Kho Tieu, caramelized pork, Vietnamese comfort food, pork belly recipe

Find it online: https://marycorner.com/vietnamese-thit-kho-tieu/