• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Recipes by Nora
  • Recipe Index
  • About me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About me
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Pork Recipes

    Pork Barbecue Skewers Recipe

    Published: Oct 13, 2022 by Nora Reyes · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. · 14 Comments

    470 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

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

    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
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Explore other Filipino barbecue recipes
    • Other pork recipes you may like
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients you’ll need

    Individual ingredients for Filipino Barbecue Pork Skewers.

    Notes and substitutions

    • Pork butt: An inexpensive cut, 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 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. The flavor is like a cross between a lime and mandarin orange. Lemon is always a good alternative.
    • Banana or tomato ketchup: Its acidity tenderizes the meat and adds a 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

    Step 1: Slice the meat

    Partially freeze the meat for about an hour to make slicing easier. 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.

    Step 2: Marinate the meat

    Combine 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 it to your liking. Pour the marinade over the meat and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.

    Pouring the marinade on the meat slices in the container.

    Step 3: Skewer the meat

    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, you can soak the 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.

    Step 4: Cook the basting sauce

    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.

    Step 5: Grill

    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.

    In an outdoor grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high temperature to achieve a nice sear. Cook the skewers for about 5 minutes on each side. Brush the meat with basting sauce to keep it moist and flavorful.

    Basting the pork barbecue skewers on the grill.

    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.

    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 1-2 minutes toward the end.

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

    Serve your Pork Barbecue Skewers with Java Rice or Sinangag, and a side of Achara or spiced vinegar dipping sauce.

    Grilled Filipino pork skewers on a rack.

    Recipe FAQs

    What makes a good Filipino barbecue?

    A good Filipino barbecue is all about well-marinated pork skewers with a perfect fat-to-meat ratio. To maintain tenderness and juiciness, be cautious not to overcook them.

    What is Filipino BBQ called?

    Filipino barbecue, known as inihaw or inasal, is a general term that refers to grilled or roasted dishes. It can consist of various ingredients, such as meat (including offal), seafood, or vegetables. These are grilled whole or skewered, usually over charcoal.

    What does lemon-lime soda do?

    The lemon-lime soda adds sweetness and its high acidity tenderizes the meat, along with lemon juice and ketchup.

    Explore other Filipino barbecue recipes

    • Inihaw na Liempo: Grilled pork belly marinated in a savory, slightly sweet marinade and served with a vinegar-based dipping sauce.
    • Inihaw na Tuna Belly: Grilled marinated tuna belly, served with a tomato-mango salsa.
    • Chicken Inasal: Grilled chicken marinated in ginger, lemongrass, calamansi, and vinegar, then brushed with annatto oil.
    • Grilled Bangus: Milkfish marinated in vinegar and garlic, then grilled whole.
    • Grilled Tilapia: Stuffed with tomatoes and onions, the fish is sometimes wrapped in banana leaves before grilling.
    • Inihaw na Pusit: Tender, grilled squid marinated in soy sauce and calamansi.

    Other pork recipes you may like

    • Igado in a bowl.
      Igado (Pork and Liver Stew)
    • Lechon Paksiw on a plate.
      Lechon Paksiw Recipe
    • Humba in a bowl.
      Humba Recipe
    • Dinuguan in a bowl.
      Dinuguan Recipe
    phone showing how to tag me on instagram

    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

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

    Pork Barbecue Skewers

    Juicy, tender pork barbecue on a stick marinated in a sweet and savory sauce.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Filipino
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Marinate: 8 hours hours
    Total Time: 9 hours 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 (see note)
    • ⅔ cup soy sauce regular or light
    • ⅓ cup calamansi or lemon juice (see note)
    • 1 cup lemon-lime soda (see note)
    • ½ cup brown sugar sub:any sugar
    • ½ cup banana or tomato ketchup (see note)
    • 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.
    • In an outdoor grill: Preheat to a medium-high temperature to get a nice sear. Cook them for about 5 minutes on each side. Brush the meat with basting sauce to keep them moist.
    • 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 1-2 minutes toward the end.

    Notes

    • Pork butt: An inexpensive cut,  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 full of flavor and great texture, though very fatty.
    • Lemon or calamansi: Calamansi is a citrus fruit used in sauces, marinades, and desserts. The flavor is like a cross between a lime and mandarin orange. Lemon is always a good alternative.
    • Banana or tomato ketchup: Its acidity tenderizes the meat and adds a 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.

    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
    Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided here is solely for informational purposes. I am not a certified nutritionist, and this data hasn't been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any other authority. It shouldn't be seen as health or nutrition advice. The figures are estimates calculated from various food composition databases and might vary based on product types, brands, natural variations in produce, and ingredient processing methods. Individual results may differ.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @recipesbynora or tag #RecipesByNora!

    More Filipino & Asian Pork Recipes

    • Pork and mushroom stir fry on a plate.
      Pork and Mushroom Stir Fry Recipe
    • Pineapple glazed ham
      Pineapple-Glazed Ham (Stovetop Recipe)
    • Tokwat baboy in a bowl.
      Tokwa't Baboy Recipe
    • Sinigang na baboy in a bowl.
      Sinigang na Baboy Recipe
    470 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    About the author

    Hi, I'm Nora! 

    Whether you're new to Filipino food or have loved it for so long, I sure am happy you're here!  I hope you'll find useful recipes that you can enjoy and share with family and friends.

    Learn more about me →

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lynne

      May 26, 2023 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy!!!! Excellent recipe!!

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        July 02, 2023 at 11:37 am

        Hi Lynne, thanks you for your message. I'm really happy you liked it. =)

        Reply
    2. Dennis

      September 01, 2021 at 7:09 pm

      Love the way you marinate it, very Pinoy!

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        July 22, 2023 at 12:58 pm

        Thank you! Pinoy na Pinoy! 😉

        Reply
    3. Apol

      August 30, 2021 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      Looks yummy

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        July 22, 2023 at 12:59 pm

        Thank you!!! 😊

        Reply
    4. Bernadette

      August 29, 2021 at 8:05 pm

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

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        July 22, 2023 at 12:59 pm

        Yees achara of course! Thank you!!! 😊

        Reply
    5. Tin

      August 28, 2021 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      Tastes like home 🥰

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        July 22, 2023 at 12:59 pm

        Thanks, Tin.🥰

        Reply
    6. Bim

      August 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm

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

      Reply
      • Nora Rey

        July 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm

        Thank you!!! 🥰

        Reply
    7. 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
    5 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Nora! Whether you're new to Filipino food or have loved it for so long, I sure am happy you're here!  I hope you'll find useful recipes that you can enjoy and share with family and friends.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Grilled Pork Belly on a plate with pickled vegetables and spicy vinegar dipping sauce.
      Inihaw na Liempo Recipe
    • Beef stir fry with onions and peppers in a wok zoomed in.
      Beef Stir Fry with Onions & Peppers
    • Mackerel on Olive oil on a plate.
      Mackerel in Olive Oil
    • Beef Caldereta topped on a rice served on a plate.
      Beef Caldereta Recipe
    • Buko Pandan on a glass dish cup topped with ice cream covered be rice crisps.
      Buko Pandan Salad Recipe
    • Assorted Filipino foods on a table covered in banana leaf for a Kamayan Feast.
      Kamayan Feast: Bringing Family and Friends Together

    Seasonal Desserts

    You must use the category name, not a URL, in the category field.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Accessibility Statement
    • Cookie Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Image Use & Copyright
    • Privacy Policy

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2023 RECIPES BY NORA

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    470 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.