Vietnamese Caramelized Pork (Thit kho to) Recipe

Name: Vietnamese Caramelized Pork (Thit kho to)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups sugar; 2 1/2 pounds pork belly or butt, sliced into thin, inch-long strips; 1 tablespoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup fish sauce; 2 heaping teaspoons minced garlic; 1 dash sesame oil; 1 medium Vidalia onion, sliced; 4 scallions, sliced, green part only; Rice for serving

Servings: persons

1
Cover bottom of a large, heavy skillet with one cup sugar and place over medium low heat.
2
As soon as it melts and turns golden, add pork, raise heat to medium, and stir until coated.
3
(Sugar will become sticky and may harden, but it will re-melt as it cooks, forming a sauce.)
4
Stir in remaining sugar, salt, pepper and fish sauce.
5
Cover and cook 2 minutes.
6
Uncover, stir in garlic and oil and lower to simmer to reduce sauce for about 20 minutes.
7
Stir in Vidalia onions and cook until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
8
Pork should be caramelized; if not, raise heat and saute while sauce further reduces.
9
Transfer to serving bowl, and sprinkle with scallion greens.

1280

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 1/2 cups sugar, 2 1/2 pounds pork belly or butt, sliced into thin, inch-long strips, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and more.

Yes, Vietnamese Caramelized Pork (Thit kho to) falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Vietnamese Caramelized Pork (Thit kho to)

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions