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    Home » Pork

    Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers

    Published: Oct 13, 2022 by Nora Rey · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

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    Juicy, tender pork skewers marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. These crowd-pleasing Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers can be cooked on the stovetop, in the oven, or on an outdoor grill.

    You may also like Inihaw na Liempo (Grilled Pork Belly) with a similar flavor profile.

    Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers on a plate served with java rice and atchara.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients you’ll need
    • Notes and substitutions
    • How to make this recipe
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Watch how I make it here
    • Other pork recipes you may like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients you’ll need

    Individual ingredients for Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers.

    Notes and substitutions

    • Pork Butt: A cut that is relatively inexpensive and great for feeding a crowd. It has good marbling (white lines of fat between the lean meat), making it tender and moist after cooking. Pork shoulder has less fat and marbling but is a good substitute. Pork belly is also an option, full of flavor and great texture, though very fatty.
    • Lemon or Calamansi: Calamansi is a citrus fruit used in sauces, marinades, desserts, or as garnish squeezed over Pancit Canton (Filipino Stir-Fried Noodles) . The flavor is like a cross between lime and sour orange. Lemon is always a good alternative.
    • Banana or Tomato Ketchup: The acidity tenderizes the meat and gives it that reddish color. Banana ketchup is sweeter and less tangy than tomato ketchup.
    • Lemon-lime soda: Use any sweetened carbonated drink with a subtle lemon or lime flavor, such as 7 Up or Sprite.

    How to make this recipe

    Partially freeze the meat for about an hour to make slicing easier. (1)Slice 3 pounds of pork thinly (about ¼-inch thick and 1½-inch wide) and across the grain. Keep them uniform in size, so they cook evenly.

    Slicing the pork thinly on a cutting board.

    Make the marinade by combining ⅔ cup soy sauce, ⅓ cup lemon or calamansi juice, 1 cup lemon-lime soda, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup ketchup, 6 garlic cloves, and ground pepper. Using a blender allows the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust as needed.

    (2)Pour the marinade over the meat and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.

    Pouring the marinade on the meat slices in the container.

    (3)Thread the meat on the skewers by bunching them together, creating folds like an accordion to hold more sauce and stay juicy.

    As an option, soak bamboo skewers in water for about half an hour before skewering to prevent them from catching on fire when you grill.

    Holding two Filipino Pork Barbecue Skewers.

    (4)Over medium heat, cook leftover marinade for about 10 minutes to slightly thicken and prevent cross-contamination.

    Boiling the leftover marinade to make the basting sauce.

    While traditionally grilled over charcoal, you can also use a gas or electric grill, a grill pan on the stove, or an oven. It is recommended to cook pork to 145° F (63° C). Thinly sliced pork will cook quickly—it should be ready when it feels firm to the touch. Depending on the grilling method, cooking times will vary.

    (5)On the grill: Preheat at a medium-high temperature to get a nice sear. Brush the meat with basting sauce to keep them moist. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side.

    Basting the pork barbecue skewers on the grill.

    (5)On the stovetop: Set your grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the pan with oil and place the skewers once it gets very hot. Baste each side as you grill it for about 5 minutes.

    Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers arranged on a grill pan.

    (5)In the oven: Preheat the oven to 400° F (200º C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easy cleanup) and place a grill rack on top, if available. Arrange the skewers and bake for about 30 minutes. Flip them halfway through and brush them with basting sauce. Broil on high for a minute or two toward the end.

    Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers arranged on a rack on top of a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

    Filipino Pork Barbecue Skewers are best served with easy-to-make Java Rice and a side of Achara (Pickled Green Papaya) or vinegar dipping sauce.

    Grilled Filipino pork skewers on a rack.

    Frequently asked questions

    What makes a good Filipino barbecue?

    Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers should be well-marinated and have a good fat-to-meat ratio. Avoid overcooking them to keep them tender and juicy.

    What is Filipino BBQ called?

    Filipino barbecue is called inihaw or inasal, a general term that means grilled or roasted. It can be meat (including offal), seafood, or vegetables grilled whole or skewered typically over charcoal.

    What does lemon-lime soda do?

    Along with lemon juice and ketchup, the soda adds sweetness and its high acidity tenderizes the meat.

    Watch how I make it here

    Other pork recipes you may like

    • lechon kawali (fried pork belly) on a plate
      Lechon Kawali (Fried Pork Belly)
    • Pork asado on a plate
      Pork Asado with Mushrooms and Cabbage
    • Bicol Express in a bowl
      Bicol Express
    • Embutido Filipino Meatloaf
      Embutido (Filipino Meatloaf)
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    📖 Recipe

    barbecue pork skewers on a plate served with java rice and achara

    Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers

    Juicy, tender barbecue pork skewers marinated in a sweet and savory sauce.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Filipino
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Marinate: 8 hours
    Total Time: 9 hours
    Servings: 16 skewers
    Calories: 161kcal
    Author: Nora Rey
    Cost: $8-$10

    Equipment

    • Grill pan, Charcoal or Gas grill, or Convection oven
    • Small saucepan
    • 8-inch bamboo skewers

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds pork butt, boneless sub:pork shoulder or belly
    • ⅔ cup soy sauce regular or light
    • ⅓ cup calamansi or lemon juice
    • 1 cup lemon-lime soda
    • ½ cup brown sugar sub:any sugar
    • ½ cup banana or tomato ketchup
    • 6 cloves garlic grated or minced
    • Black pepper to taste
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Partially freeze the meat for about an hour to make slicing easier.
    • Slice them thinly (about ¼-inch thick and 1½-inch wide) and across the grain. Keep them uniform in size, so they cook evenly.
    • Make the marinade by combining soy sauce, lemon or calamansi juice, lemon-lime soda, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic, and ground pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
    • Marinate the meat and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.
    • Thread the meat on the skewers by bunching them together, creating folds like an accordion.
    • Over medium heat, cook leftover marinade for about 10 minutes to slightly thicken and prevent cross-contamination.
    • On the grill: Preheat at a medium-high temperature to get a nice sear. Brush the meat with basting sauce to keep them moist. Cook them for about 5 minutes on each side.
    • On the stovetop: Set your grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the pan with oil and place the skewers once it gets very hot. Baste each side as you grill it for about 5 minutes.
    • In the oven: Preheat the oven to 400° F (200º C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easy cleanup) and place a grill rack on top, if available. Arrange the skewers and bake for about 30 minutes. Flip them halfway through and brush them with basting sauce. Broil on high for a minute or two toward the end.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 17gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 667mgPotassium: 351mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 39IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @recipesbynora or tag #RecipesByNora!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dennis

      September 01, 2021 at 7:09 pm

      Love the way you marinate it, very Pinoy!

      Reply
    2. Apol

      August 30, 2021 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      Looks yummy

      Reply
    3. Bernadette

      August 29, 2021 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      This is a party favorite! With atchara on the side .yummm!

      Reply
    4. Tin

      August 28, 2021 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      Tastes like home 🥰

      Reply
    5. Bim

      August 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      This looks yummy! Will make this soon. Keep posting Nora!❤️

      Reply
    6. Ana

      August 28, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      This is amazing! Tried do make it and it tasted delicious. Will definitely keep recipe for future

      Reply
      • Nora

        August 28, 2021 at 6:40 pm

        Hello, Ana! Thank you for trying them out and glad you like them!

        Reply

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