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Home Pork Recipes

Vietnamese Caramel Pork

By:Nagi
Published:4 Oct '17Updated:6 Sep '21
522 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

This Vietnamese Pork recipe is an epic Vietnamese food speciality that’s easy to recreate in your own home. Slow cooked tender pork pieces in a sticky savoury-sweet glaze, Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a magical way to transform pork shoulder into something exotic and spectacular. And it’s SO easy!

Complete your Vietnamese banquet with fresh Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls to start and a side of fluffy coconut rice. And don’t miss the chicken version – Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken!

Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a simple, magical recipe - tender pork in a sweet savoury glaze and no hunting down unusual ingredients! www.recipetineats.com

Vietnamese Caramel Pork recipe

Vietnamese Caramel Pork is one of those gems that seem exotic, yet is unbelievably simple AND you can get everything you need at your local supermarket. The pork is braised until tender, and looks completely unimpressive until the last 5 minutes when it magically caramelises and turns into something that you’d pay serious $ for at a posh Asian restaurant.

It’s sweet yet savoury, and the pork is fork tender. It’s called Thit Kho To in Vietnamese, and it’s traditionally made with pork belly. Personally, I prefer making it with pork shoulder (butt) because I find pork belly too fatty.

I just realised – I call this “fork tender”, but I guess it’s more appropriate to say “chopstick tender”… 😂

Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a simple, magical recipe - tender pork in a sweet savoury glaze and no hunting down unusual ingredients! www.recipetineats.com

The secret ingredient – coconut WATER

There is one ingredient in Vietnamese Caramel Pork that you may not have in your pantry but is sold in all major supermarkets nowadays – coconut water. If you’re into healthy smoothies, you may well have some stashed away!!!

It’s not expensive, $2 – $3 depending on where you get it (Asian grocer stores are cheaper), and it’s essentially the “secret ingredient” for this recipe.

It doesn’t really taste like coconut, it’s sort of salty and sweet. Which makes it ideal to use as the broth for this recipe.

Substitute for coconut water?

Make it with coconut milk! I’ve tried it, and it’s great. A little saucier, a little sweeter, with a slight coconut flavour and smell that you don’t get in the traditional recipe. See the Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken recipe which is made with coconut milk.

How to make this Vietnamese Pork

I promised you this is simple – and it really is, which you’ll see in the video. It goes down like this:

  1. Put brown sugar and water in a pot, bring to simmer to make a caramel;

  2. Add pork, fish sauce*, garlic and eschallots**

  3. Simmer for 1.5 hours until the pork is tender. Then magically, the pot of pale brown meat pieces in a murky liquid suddenly transforms into bronzed pieces of delectable, ultra tender pork that just melts in your mouth.

* NO it will not taste fishy! It’s the Vietnamese version of soy sauce!
** French shallots, shallots, depending on where you live. The baby onions. 🙂

Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a simple, magical recipe - tender pork in a sweet savoury glaze and no hunting down unusual ingredients! www.recipetineats.com

How to serve Vietnamese Caramel Pork

Because the glaze has quite a strong flavour, I like to serve this with plain white rice. Steamed jasmine rice would be on point.

And for a fresh side, a crunchy Asian Slaw would be very fitting – and the fresh flavour will be great to balance the richness of the pork. Or toss steamed vegetables or a garden salad with this Asian Sesame Dressing or the Nuoc Cham in this Lemongrass chicken recipe.

“This Vietnamese pork recipe is a Vietnamese food speciality. One bite, and you’ll understand why!”

I love recipes like this. Forgiving, tastes exotic, kapow! flavours. It sounds and looks exotic, but the flavours are universally appealing.

Asian Food Lovers – this is for YOU! It’s an absolute ripper that I think you’ll love! – Nagi x


Get your Vietnamese fix!

  • Bun Cha – Vietnamese Meatballs (Noodle Bowl)

  • Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken – the chicken version of this recipe

  • Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls

  • Lemongrass Chicken – one of my favourite things to grill!

  • Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls – the super quick version of the above

  • Vietnamese Noodle Salad

  • Browse all Vietnamese recipes

Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a simple, magical recipe - tender pork in a sweet savoury glaze and no hunting down unusual ingredients! www.recipetineats.com

Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a simple, magical recipe - tender pork in a sweet savoury glaze and no hunting down unusual ingredients! www.recipetineats.com

WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

Vietnamese Caramel Pork recipe video!

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Vietnamese Caramel Pork is a simple, magical recipe - tender pork in a sweet savoury glaze and no hunting down unusual ingredients! recipetineats.com

Vietnamese Caramel Pork

Author: Nagi
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total: 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Main
Vietnamese
4.93 from 159 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 2455
Recipe VIDEO above. "Thit Kho To" - Tender pork in a sweet savoury glaze that has quite an intense flavour. Though made using coconut water as the broth, but it doesn't have a coconut flavour at all! It looks so unimpressive right up until the end when it magically transforms into sticky caramelised pork pieces! 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup / 100g brown sugar, tightly packed
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 kg / 2 lb pork shoulder (butt) or boneless skinless pork belly, cut into 3 cm / 1.2" pieces (Note 1a)
  • 1.5 cups / 375 ml coconut water (Note 1b)
  • 1 eschallot / shallot , very finely sliced (Note 2)
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper

Garnishes:

  • Red chilli and finely sliced shallots/green onions

Instructions

  • Place sugar and water in a large pot over medium heat. Stir, then when it bubbles and the sugar is melted (it looks like caramel), add the rest of the ingredients.
  • Stir, then adjust the heat so it is simmering fairly energetically. Not rapidly, not a slow simmer (I use medium heat on a weak stove, between medium and low on a strong stove).
  • Simmer for 1.5 hours, uncovered. Stir once or twice while cooking.
  • At around 1.5 hours, when the liquid has reduced down and the pork is tender, (see Note 3 if pork is not yet tender), the fat will separate (see video).
  • Stir and the pork will brown and caramelise in the fat.
  • Once the liquid is all gone and it's now stuck on the pork pieces, it's ready.
  • Serve over rice, garnished with fresh chilli and shallots. Simple pickled vegetables are ideal for a side because the fresh acidity pairs well with the rich pork.

Recipe Notes:

1b. Other proteins/cuts: This recipe is suitable for slow cooking cuts of pork like shoulder/butt and belly. Please don't try this with tenderloin or loin - it will be too dry, there is not enough fat in those cuts.
This recipe will also work great with beef - use slow cooking cuts like chuck, gravy beef and brisket. I don't think the flavours will work with lamb. And I've now shared the chicken version - Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken (it's stickier / saucier).
1b. Coconut water is different from coconut milk. It's more like a whitish water, and it tastes salty / sweet, and not really of coconut at all. It's sold at supermarkets here in Australia in the drinks aisle - it's popular for "healthy" smoothies and the like, and costs $2 - $3 (Asian stores are cheaper).
This recipe does actually work great with coconut milk as well, and I've since shared a coconut milk version using chicken - Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken.
2. Eschallots are also known as French shallots / French onions and look like small onions. Don't get too hung up on this - you can even use normal onions, finely chop 1/4 cup. 
3. PORK TENDERNESS: The variable in this recipe is the time it takes for the liquid to reduce down vs pork being tender. If your pork is not quite tender enough by the time the braising liquid is almost evaporated, just add 1/2 cup water and keep cooking.
4. Simple Pickled Vegetables: Use a carrot peeler to peel ribbons from 1 carrot. Slice 2 cucumbers. Place 1/2 cup rice vinegar (or cider vinegar), 1/4 tsp salt and 1 tbsp white sugar in a bowl, stir. Add carrot and cucumber, stir.  Set aside for 20 minutes until the vegetables soften then drain. Coriander/cilantro and mint are great additions to a simple pickled veg like this. Serve with pork.
5. Adapted from various recipes from Vietnamese cookbooks and this one from Luke Nguyen SBS Food (I found the liquid ratio too high).
6. QUICK VERSION: Here is a quick version inspired by this recipe that I have shared using pork mince (ground pork) -> Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls.
7. The calories in the table below are overstated because it assumes all the fat in the pork shoulder is consumed but there is fat left in the pot after serving.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 365gCalories: 727cal (36%)
Keywords: Vietnamese caramel pork, Vietnamese pork recipe
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

DON’T MISS…..

The chicken version made with coconut milk – Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken!

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken - 7 ingredient magic. The coconut fragrance is heavenly! www.recipetineats.com


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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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522 Comments

  1. Freya says

    December 14, 2023 at 5:50 pm

    4 stars
    The first time in my life, I have purchased fish sauce. It was a big step for me! The flavour of this dish was amazing. I feel as though I added too much liquid (incrementally) as I had more pork than the recipe stated. I tried to get the ratio right but ended up more like a braise. Still delish. Might even use the fish sauce again!

    Reply
  2. Heather Davies says

    November 29, 2023 at 9:06 pm

    What you cook when you can’t really be bothered. So quick and tasty

    Reply
  3. Daniel says

    November 23, 2023 at 1:06 pm

    Do leftovers from this recipe reheat well? How would you recommend reheating them?

    Reply
  4. Loren says

    November 11, 2023 at 12:40 pm

    5 stars
    Wonderful results! Loved the simplicity and amazing taste!

    Surprised my wife with this along with the pickled vegetables and Cole slaw with the dressing. Home run!

    Reply
  5. Shea says

    September 17, 2023 at 4:55 pm

    5 stars
    Agree – worth the wait. Looks pretty awful until you’re nearly there but turns out great. I used boneless pork leg (cut the skin off) and it was perfect.

    Reply
  6. Megan Bayfo says

    August 31, 2023 at 10:00 am

    had my first Nagi fail tonight :(. I’ve made dozens of recipes (including this one! twice!) from both the website and own the cookbook, and they’ve all been spectacular. Tonight we had some leftover pork belly that needed urgent cooking, so I decided to make one of my favs – this caramel pork. Previously, I’ve always used shoulder.

    Followed the recipe exactly, used the same pan I’ve used making this twice before – aaaaaaaaaaand………..disgusting 🙁 my partner pinpointed the issue – so much fat comes out of pork belly that essentially at the end the meat & ‘sauce’ is deep frying itself and burnt horribly. The heat was med-low, again as I always do, but it was just awful. Obviously you’re supposed to have a little burn-y caramelization, but this was nasty.

    will I make it again? Absolutely, it was gorgeous the other times I made it. Will I warn every person who reads the comment section never ever ever use pork belly – YUP. You probably wouldn’t anyway, it’s too expensive, but just in case you’re ever tempted as a way to use leftovers – DON’T!!

    Reply
  7. Debbie says

    August 28, 2023 at 6:16 am

    5 stars
    As a lot of other commenters have said, this recipe smelt quite bad for a good while and did not look appetising BUT the transformation in the last 5 minutes is absolutely amazing! Watching the pork caramelise and become sticky and gooey was when I started to look forward to eating it! Plus this recipe as a whole is super easy to make.

    Reply
  8. Be Wolkenmuth says

    August 4, 2023 at 9:41 am

    5 stars
    Hi! I made this tonight and it was delicious. It’s so good when you add hard boiled eggs five min before it’s done. I green up eating this.

    Reply
  9. tania anastasiu says

    May 1, 2023 at 8:20 am

    Hi Nagi what size pot would you suggest please? I’ve watched the video and can’t wait to make it!

    Reply
  10. Tamara says

    April 28, 2023 at 3:07 am

    Do you think this would work in a crockpot?

    Reply
  11. Maria says

    April 25, 2023 at 9:14 am

    5 stars
    Made this tonight and it blew my family away. It was so tender and like the recipe says, it a big question mark until the last few minutes when the magic happens. Definitely will be making this again.

    Reply
  12. Tanya says

    April 14, 2023 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    I used pork collar, the fat parts are divine tho the lean parts are too dry. Will try fatter cut next time. Love the recipe and love your cookbook!!!

    Reply
  13. Jessica says

    April 10, 2023 at 8:09 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi, can I use pork leg for the Vietnamese caramel pork recipe?

    Reply
  14. Ginger Mills says

    April 8, 2023 at 12:27 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi! As always, you did not disappoint with this recipe. This has shot up to the top of our go-to list. Any suggestions we should follow on doubling the recipe for company?

    Reply
  15. Mark r says

    March 19, 2023 at 4:44 am

    5 stars
    Followed step by step an turned out perfectly, however did add some grated ginger at start!

    Reply
  16. Ginger says

    March 12, 2023 at 11:02 am

    5 stars
    Nagi, you never disappoint. This recipe was amazing. I made it exactly as it was written and will make a lot more. So savory and delicious. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. Thank you!

    Reply
  17. Amy G says

    March 3, 2023 at 3:53 am

    5 stars
    This dish turned out exactly as I was hoping- sweet, savory, and oh-so-tender! Paired with some broccoli and garlic rice, it was a meal enjoyed by my whole family!

    Reply
  18. Maggie says

    February 26, 2023 at 8:22 pm

    Would pork loin work for this recipe? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Melanie says

      March 15, 2023 at 10:02 pm

      Nope, too dry

      Reply
  19. Linda says

    February 20, 2023 at 9:36 am

    4 stars
    The flavor of this was amazing.. It did take longer than 1.5 hours for the liquid to cook off and wasn’t quite what I would consider caramelized but the pork was tender and flavorful.

    Reply
  20. Karen Boyd says

    January 28, 2023 at 8:57 pm

    I cooked the Vietnamese Carmelized Pork recipe for the first time two days ago and we all LOVED it!! I could not get over how tender the pork was after all that time simmering. It is another one of your freakin’ amazing recipes – and so easy to put together! Thank you for another spectacular dinner choice!

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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