Baked Filipino-Style Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 ready in about 150 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch cubes 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 135 min Serves 6 Filipino cuisine 400 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Filipino-Style Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves take to make?

Total time is about 150 minutes (15 min prep + 135 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-Style 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-Style 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-Style Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves 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 Baked Filipino-Style 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.

Related recipes