Baked Filipino-Inspired Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves
A classic Filipino pork adobo slow-cooked in a savory soy-vinegar marinade and finished in the oven for tender, flavorful meat with caramelized edges. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 135 minutes pairs soy sauce, white vinegar, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds, cut into 2-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 6, crushed garlic cloves
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
- for serving cooked white rice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, 3 bay leaves, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Add 2 pounds of 2-inch pork shoulder cubes and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Remove pork from marinade (reserve marinade) and sear pork in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and caramelized. Return all pork to skillet.
- Step 3: Pour reserved marinade over the pork. Bring to a simmer on stovetop for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Cover skillet tightly with foil or a lid and place in preheated oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours until pork is very tender.
- Step 5: Remove cover and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to reduce sauce and slightly caramelize edges.
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and serve hot with steamed white rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Filipino-Inspired Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 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 Baked Filipino-Inspired Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Filipino-Inspired Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves?
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 Baked Filipino-Inspired Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Baked Filipino-Inspired Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves?
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.
