Craving a dish that’s bursting with savory, umami-rich flavor but short on time? Look no further! This Instant Pot Soy Sesame Pork Neck is your new weeknight hero. We’re talking incredibly tender, bite-sized pieces of pork swimming in a luscious sauce made from dark soy, nutty sesame, and a hint of ginger. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, transforming a humble cut of meat into a melt-in-your-mouth meal in just 45 minutes. It’s a simple, satisfying, and deeply flavorful dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
• 1 lb / 450g pork neck, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, whole
• ½ cup / 120ml canned tomatoes, sugar-free
• ½ cup / 120ml dark soy sauce
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds
• 3 tbsp neutral oil, like avocado or canola
• ¼ cup / 60ml water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp stevia powder, or to taste
• ½ tsp ginger powder
• Optional Garnish: Freshly chopped parsley or spring onions
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Set your Instant Pot to the ”Sauté” function. Once the display reads ”Hot,” add the oil to the inner pot, followed by the finely chopped onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
3. Add the whole garlic cloves and the chopped pork neck to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring to ensure the meat is lightly browned on all sides.
4. Pour in the water to deglaze, scraping any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Continue to cook on the ”Sauté” setting for 20 minutes, stirring periodically as the pork becomes more tender.
5. Stir in the canned tomatoes, dark soy sauce, and sesame seeds. Season with salt, ginger powder, and stevia powder, mixing well to combine all into a cohesive sauce.
6. Continue to cook on ”Sauté” for a final 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly and the flavors to meld together beautifully.
7. Press the ”Cancel” button to turn off the heat. Serve immediately, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley or spring onions for a burst of color and freshness.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving
• Calories: 328
• Total Fats: 17.6g
• Net Carbs: 8.3g
• Protein: 31.8g
• Fiber: 1.9g
Pro Tips
• Pro-Tips for Success
• Don’t skip the sear. Taking the time to properly brown the pork neck pieces in the beginning develops a much deeper, more complex flavor base for the entire dish.
• For an extra layer of nutty flavor, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant before adding them to the pot.
• This savory pork is fantastic served over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice or cauliflower rice to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir it into the pot during the final 2 minutes of cooking.
FAQ
Q: What can I substitute for pork neck in this recipe
A: If you can’t find pork neck, pork shoulder (Boston butt) is an excellent substitute. Cut it into similar bite-sized pieces and follow the recipe as written. Pork belly also works for a richer, more decadent version.
Q: Is this Instant Pot pork recipe keto-friendly
A: Yes, this recipe is designed to be keto-friendly. It uses stevia as a sweetener and has only 8.3g of net carbs per serving. To keep the entire meal low-carb, serve it with cauliflower rice as suggested in the pro-tips.
Q: Does this recipe use the pressure cook function
A: No, this specific recipe utilizes only the ‘Sauté’ function of the Instant Pot. This method allows the pork to slowly tenderize while the sauce reduces and concentrates, similar to a stovetop braise.
Q: How do I get a thicker sauce
A: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the pot during the final 2-3 minutes of cooking on the ‘Sauté’ setting until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
