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+ servings
pork adobo
Carmen

Pork Belly Adobo

5 from 2 votes
The pork belly adobo is melt-in-your-mouth tender. The sauce is well-balanced and so delicious with white rice. Good luck just taking one bite of this dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 2 -4
Course: Braising
Cuisine: Braising

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs pork belly - skin removed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • ¾ cup cane vinegar
  • cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1 diced onion
  • 3- inch ginger sliced in half
  • 8 garlic cloves
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon whole peppercorn
  • 2 - 3 red Thai chili peppers optional - highly recommend

Method
 

  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!

Video

Notes

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.

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