cooking meat with dried beans

How to Make Braised Dried Beans with Pork: A Step-by-Step Guide

Braised dried beans with pork is a hearty, flavorful Chinese dish that combines tender meat with savory, rehydrated beans. Here’s a simple yet authentic recipe to recreate this comfort food at home.

Ingredients:

200g dried soybeans, soaked overnight; 300g pork belly, cut into 2cm cubes; 5 slices ginger; 2 scallions; 3 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tbsp cooking wine; 1 tbsp sugar; 1 star anise; 500ml water; vegetable oil for stir-frying.

Steps:

1. Prep the ingredients: Soak dried beans in water for 8 hours until soft. Rinse and drain. Blanch pork cubes in boiling water for 2 minutes to remove impurities; rinse and set aside.

2. Stir-fry the pork: Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add ginger, scallions, and star anise until fragrant. Toss in pork and stir-fry until lightly browned.

3. Simmer the dish: Pour in cooking wine, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. Mix well, then add soaked beans and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until pork is tender and beans are flavorful.

4. Adjust and serve: Uncover, increase heat slightly to thicken the sauce if desired. Garnish with chopped scallions and serve hot with rice.

This dish balances the rich umami of pork with the earthy taste of beans, making it a perfect meal for any season. Enjoy the process and the delicious results!