Pork Adobo Recipes

Pork Adobo is a classic and beloved Filipino dish known for its rich and savory flavors. It involves simmering pork in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and aromatic spices until the meat becomes tender and absorbs the delicious sauce. Pork Adobo is often served with steamed rice and is a staple in Filipino cuisine. Pork Adobo is a comforting and flavorful dish, and it's a favorite among many Filipino families. The combination of soy sauce and vinegar creates a savory, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that's both aromatic and delicious.

Adobo, in general, may be prepared using a variety of proteins. The most prevalent component is chicken. Have you ever made Filipino Chicken Adobo? Our tried-and-true formula should be able to assist you.

To enhance the flavor of the pork, this variation proposes marinating it. This dish calls for pork belly and other fatty pieces of pork.

Mexican Adobo vs. Filipino Adobo

Adobo is derived from the Spanish word "adobar". It refers to marinating. This might be in the form of a liquid marinade or a rub made from powdered ingredients. This Filipino Adobo recipe calls for marinating the pork in soy sauce and smashed garlic. Vinegar can also be used as a marinade component if desired.

Mexican adobo, on the other hand, is marinated with chilies, garlic, cinnamon, and oregano.

Both meals have a distinct appearance and flavor. It would be unreasonable to compare which of the two dishes is the greatest because we all have different flavor preferences.

Versions of Filipino Pork Adobo

The Philippines is made up of several islands. It was originally projected to be roughly 7,107 people. The total now stands at 7,641. Each of these islands is part of a cluster that is separated into regions.

The recipe below is for the Basic Pork Adobo variation. Similar versions with additional components are also available.

How to Cook Pork Adobo

1. Marinate the pork belly in soy sauce and garlic powder.

The pork belly should first be marinated in soy sauce and smashed garlic. It is preferable to marinade it overnight. If time is of the essence, one hour should enough. Some people like to add vinegar during the cooking phase. You are free to do so if you wish.

2. Brown the marinated pork

Drain the marinade. Save it for later. Brown the marinated pork. Preheat a cooking pot. Add the meat and garlic. You may also add a few teaspoons of frying oil. Cook the meat until it becomes brown.

3. Pour In The Spices And Water

Cook until the meat is tender. Pour any leftover marinade into a measuring cup. Add water as well. Allow the liquid to come to a boil.

This is when I add the entire peppercorn and the dried bay leaves. These items round up my adobo pork. Boiling the pork for 40 minutes should be enough to tenderize it. There are occasions when you must cook for an extended period of time.

4. Pour in the Vinegar

If you did not include vinegar in the marinade, pour it into the saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes. This recipe does not need the use of salt. Use it only if you believe it is necessary.

5. Season

Taste the sauce first to choose which ingredients to add. Because we previously used a lot of soy sauce, salt may not be necessary. However, this is a personal preference. You may also add extra water here if you believe the saltiness is too high. To balance the flavor, I sometimes add a touch of sugar.

Here's a basic recipe for preparing Pork Adobo:

Ingredients:

- 2 pounds (about 1 kg) pork belly or pork shoulder, cut into bite-sized pieces

- 1/2 cup soy sauce

- 1/2 cup vinegar (white vinegar or cane vinegar is commonly used)

- 1 cup water

- 1 onion, peeled and chopped

- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced

- 3 bay leaves

- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns

- 1 tablespoon cooking oil

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Optional: 1-2 potatoes, peeled and sliced into rounds (for added texture)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Pork:

   - Combine the pork chunks, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a mixing bowl. Allow for at least 30 minutes of marinating. Longer marination can improve the flavor, but it is not required.

2. Sear the Pork:

   - Heat the cooking oil in a big, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

   - Remove the marinated pork from the marinade and sear it in hot oil until both sides are browned. To avoid overflowing the pot, you may need to do this in batches.

3. Add the Aromatics:

   - Return the entire batch of seared pork to the pot.

   - Combine the chopped onion, bay leaves, and whole peppercorns in a mixing bowl.

4. Pour in the Liquid:

   - Add the vinegar and water.

5. Simmer:

   - Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower to a low heat.

   - Allow the meat Adobo to boil for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the meat is cooked. If the liquid reduces too much, you may need to add more water.

6. Add Potatoes (Optional):

   - At this time, you can add potatoes to your Pork Adobo. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are cooked and the sauce has thickened.

7. Season and Serve:

   - Season the pork adobo to taste with salt and pepper.

   - Take out the bay leaves.

   - With steamed rice, serve the Pork Adobo hot. When serving, spoon some of the savory sauce over the rice and meat. Enjoy this traditional Filipino cuisine!