Baked Filipino-Style Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-19 · Updated 2026-05-19

Slow-baked pork marinated in a savory blend of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and bay leaves that results in tender, flavorful meat with a caramelized edge. This Filipino-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 150 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, soy sauce, white vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs cut into 2-inch cubes pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 6 crushed garlic cloves
• 3 whole bay leaves
• 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• to taste salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 3 whole bay leaves, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the fridge.
2. Step 2: Preheat oven to 325°F. Transfer pork and marinade to a heavy ovenproof dish. Drizzle 2 tbsp vegetable oil over pork and stir to coat.
3. Step 3: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 2 hours, stirring halfway, until pork is very tender and sauce has thickened.
4. Step 4: Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to caramelize the edges. Season with salt to taste before serving.