The Best Pork Belly Adobo

This Filipino Pork Belly Adobo recipe is the national dish of the Philippines for a good reason. The pork belly is melt-in-your-mouth tender. This pork adobo will blow your mind.

This mouthwatering Filipino Pork Adobo Recipe looks impressive. Pork adobo is actually fairly easy dish to make. The cooking process is quite simple, sear the pork belly, then braise it for an hour or so. Check on it once in a while, reduce the braising liquid, and that's it. It's ready to be served. There are 2 ways to execute this dish one is in a large Dutch oven and secondly in an Instant Pot. All the instructions are listed below.

Pork Adobo Instant Pot

Pork Adobo Instant Pot instructions:

• Using the saute function, sear/ brown the pork belly pieces in batches. Do not overcrowd.
• Remove the pork and set it aside in a large bowl.
• Get rid of the excess oil.
• Add the rest of the ingredients.
• Add back the pork belly and put the lid on. Set the timer for MEAT 30 minutes.
• Let it come to a natural release and open the top safely.
• Put back on saute mode and reduce the sauce to half until desired consistency.

What you need for Pork Adobo

Pork belly - Filipino adobo can be made with pork shoulder or pork butt.

Soy sauce - I used low-sodium soy sauce. Tamari would work for this as well.

Cane vinegar - I used the traditional Datu Puti brand. It is a cane vinegar that is less acidic than white vinegar. If you cannot find this, I would use apple cider vinegar.

Brown sugar - has a molasses flavor to it. It goes really well with this recipe.

Onion, Ginger, and Garlic - aromatics are the backbone of this recipe. The trio cannot be replicated. Please do not use powder.

Bay leaves - dried bay leaves are an essential herb to this recipe.

Black peppercorns

Red Thai chili peppers - Optional but highly recommended. It gave it the perfect spiciness. Add more if you're feeling spicy.

How to make pork belly adobo

1. Prepare all your ingredients. Remove the skin side of your pork belly, and slice them into 2-inch pieces.
   
2. Slice and dice your aromatics (ginger, onions, and garlic).
   
3. Prepare your adobo sauce so everything is ready to go (soy sauce, water, vinegar, and sugar).
   
4. In a large dutch oven, sear your pieces of pork belly on all sides. Do this in batches and do not overcrowd. Remove and set aside.
   
5. Get rid of excess fat or oil in the pot.
   
6. Add the aromatics (ginger, garlic, onion, black peppercorn) into the dutch oven.
   
7. Add all the liquids (soy sauce, water, vinegar) and brown sugar.
   
8. Bring it to a boil. Add the bay leaves and chili peppers.
   
9. Add back the pork belly. Let it come to a boil, then bring it down to low heat, and simmer for 1 hour with the lid on.
   
10. After an hour, check if the pork belly is fork tender. If not, increase to medium heat and simmer for another 10 minutes.
    
11. When the pork belly is fork tender, remove the lid and let it simmer on medium-high heat for 10 minutes to let the cooking liquid reduce.
    
12. When the sauce has been reduced in half, turn off the heat. The sauce should be thickened and the flavor should be well-balanced.
    
13. Serve it with white rice and enjoy!

Equipment

• Large dutch oven
• Instant Pot or any pressure cooker if using.
• Cutting board and knife
• Large bowl

What to serve with Pork Belly Adobo

This pork adobo dish is best served with:

• White rice or brown rice - if you're feeling fancy, make Garlic Rice.
• Steamed or sauteed vegetables.

How to reheat and store Pork Adobo

Any braised, stewed dishes always taste better the next day. This pork belly adobo recipe is no exception. This is best stored in an airtight container. To reheat, you can microwave it, or my preference is to reheat it in a pot.

PRO TIP: If you have leftover rice, use the sauce and make Adobo Fried Rice with a fried egg. It is epic!

Adobo Fried Rice:

Ingredients:

• minced garlic
• leftover day old rice
• meat and sauce from adobo

Method:

• In a frying pan, add oil, and saute the minced garlic until fragrant and golden brown.
• Add the leftover rice and mix until combined.
• Add a few tablespoon of the adobo sauce at a time. Taste and adjust the amount of sauce you add.
• Add the meat and saute until its ready.

The Best Pork Belly Adobo - FAQs

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