Asian citrus spring onion pulled pork salad

This Asian-inspired dish features a succulent, slow-cooked pork neck or shoulder infused with star anise and a sweet-savoury marinade. Bright citrus notes and crispy fried spring onions complement the tender meat, making it a mouthwatering highlight of any meal.

Cut:

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 600g deboned pork neck or shoulder
  • 400ml beef broth
  • 1-2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1-2 star anise
  • 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns

For the marinade

  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup Asian BBQ sauce or 1/4 cup gochujang Korean chili paste
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Zest of 1 orange (2 tablespoons)

For the fried spring onions

  • 1 cup spring onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup neutral oil

For toppings

  • Salted chopped peanuts
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Charred orange slices
  • Fried spring onions
  • Freshly chopped spring onions

Method

Place the pork neck in an instant pot or slow cooker. Add the broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns. Cook on low for 2-3 hours until the meat is tender and easy to pull apart.

While the pork is cooking, prepare the marinade by mixing all ingredients in a bowl and mixing well.

Once the pork is cooked, please remove it from the cooking liquid and place it in a deep baking dish. Pour the marinade over the pork and bake at 165 degrees Celsius for an additional 1.5 hours until the meat is very soft and has absorbed the flavours. Let it cool slightly before shredding.

Heat the oil in a pan until hot for the fried spring onions. Add the spring onions in batches, frying until crisp and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Reserve the flavoured oil if desired.

To serve, arrange the shredded pork on a plate and drizzle with extra marinade. Top with the fried spring onions, fresh spring onions, chopped peanuts, cilantro, and charred orange slices.

Serving suggestion: Serve with steamed rice or fresh Chinese pancakes for a complete meal.