Adobo-Spiced Filipino Pork Belly Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slow-cooked in a tangy and savory Filipino adobo sauce with garlic, soy, and vinegar for rich, layered flavors. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 195 minutes pairs cut into 1.5-inch cubes pork belly, crushed garlic cloves, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 75 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Filipino cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs cubed pork belly, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns, and 3 bay leaves. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium sliced white onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork from marinade (reserve marinade) and add pork cubes to the pot. Sear pork on all sides until lightly browned, about 8 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Pour reserved marinade and 1 cup water into the pot with pork. Add 1 tbsp brown sugar and stir to dissolve.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until pork is tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
  6. Step 6: Remove bay leaves and discard. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
  7. Step 7: Serve hot over steamed white rice, garnished with 2 sliced green onions.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Adobo-Spiced Filipino Pork Belly Stew take to make?

Total time is about 195 minutes (75 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Adobo-Spiced Filipino Pork Belly Stew?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep crushed garlic cloves from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Adobo-Spiced Filipino Pork Belly Stew?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Adobo-Spiced Filipino Pork Belly Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Adobo-Spiced Filipino Pork Belly Stew?

Filipino pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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