Filipino Pork Adobo is a pork belly braise in a tangy, sweet, and savory sauce. It is so simple to make with minimal ingredients.
Leftover adobo makes an amazing Adobo Fried Rice.
Jump to:
Ingredients you'll need
Notes and substitutions
- Pork belly: You can also use pork butt, pork shoulder, or pork ribs.
- Soy sauce: Use regular or light soy sauce. A little dark soy sauce is okay for color, but not to replace it entirely. Tamari with no wheat is a gluten-free alternative. It is darker and richer, so you will need less of it.
How to make this recipe
(1)Cut 3 pounds pork belly into bite-sized pieces, about 1½ inches. Trim off any excess fat.
(2)Roughly chop 1 onion. (3)Smash 1 head of garlic with the heel of your hand.
Over medium-high heat, brown the meat in a bit of oil for about 2 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate. (5)Soak up most of the oil with a paper towel, then sauté garlic and onion until slightly softened.
(6)Add the meat, ½ cup soy sauce, ⅔ cup vinegar, ¼ cup of water, 3 tablespoons brown sugar (or more), black pepper (to taste), and 3 bay leaves. Stir to combine and lower heat to medium when it boils. Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes, until the meat is tender and the sauce slightly thickens.
(7)Check if the meat is tender and remove the fat layer on top. Taste and adjust as needed. If the sauce is too thin, continue to simmer it uncovered until the desired consistency is reached. Add water if it gets too dry.
Serve Filipino Pork Adobo with white rice to soak up all that flavorful sauce. Boiled eggs, fried garlic, and scallions go well with it.
Frequently asked questions
A good adobo starts by searing the meat. It is simmered long enough to become tender and flavorful. The sauce is savory and slightly tangy, while the sweetness varies between cooks.
Yes, you definitely can. Make sure to use bone-in chicken thighs with their skin on for full flavor.
Yes, you can make adobo in an instant pot or another electric pressure cooker. There’s no need to add extra water since the moisture gets locked in. The meat will let out extra liquid as it cooks.
You can add some sugar, water, or soy sauce. Play around with the flavor until it's just right for you. If you end up with more sauce, you can thicken it with cornstarch.
More about Filipino Pork Adobo
Here are frequently asked questions about Filipino Pork Adobo, including extra tips, troubleshooting, and more.
Watch how I make it here
Other pork recipes you may like
Did you make this recipe? I would love to know! Your feedback helps me make better recipes. Please rate, review, or comment below. Questions about this recipe are welcome, too!
Let's connect on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube. Be sure to tag me when you try any of my recipes @recipesbynora!
📖 Recipe
Filipino Pork Adobo
Equipment
- 4.5-quart Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork belly 1½-inch pieces (see note)
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ⅔ cup cane or white vinegar sub:apple cider or rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar more to taste
- ground black pepper or whole peppercorns to taste
- 1 head garlic crushed or smashed
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 bay leaves dried or fresh
- neutral-flavored oil (canola or vegetable oil) for searing and sautéing
Instructions
- Over medium-high heat, brown the meat in a bit of oil for about 2 minutes on each side. Set aside.
- Soak up most of the oil with a paper towel, then sauté garlic and onion until slightly softened.
- Add meat, soy sauce, vinegar, ¼ cup of water, sugar, black pepper, and bay leaves. Stir to combine and lower the heat to medium when it boils.
- Cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes, until the meat is tender and the sauce slightly thickens.
- Check if the meat is tender and remove the fat layer on top. Taste and adjust as needed.
Video
Notes
- Pork belly: You can also use pork butt, pork shoulder, or pork ribs.
Victoria
Thank you! My mom usually makes it for me but she's all the way in the Philippines and I'm in South Carolina! She tried to show me how to make it but it never tastes like hers! This is by far the best and closest recipe I've found!
Chris
It was delicious! The recipe was easy enough. Thank you and i’m looking through other recipes to make.
Nora Rey
Thank you, Chris! =)
John
Nice video. What brand of soy sauce do you use for this recipe?
Nora Rey
Hello John, I am not so sure, but it's either Datu Puti or Silver Swan. A regular type of soy sauce should work. Thanks!
Bim
Wow, one of my favorite Filipino food. I’ve tried so many times to cook adobo but I cannot find a recipe that is so good and easy to follow recipe. Cooked this today for lunch and my family asked for more. Thank you Nora.
Nora
That is so nice. I am always happy to know you guys enjoyed it. Thank you!!!