Fried Pork Knuckles with Garlic Vinegar Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden-brown pork knuckles coated in a tangy garlic-vinegar sauce, with a perfect crisp exterior and tender interior. This filipino-inspired filipino ready in about 75 minutes pairs pork knuckles, cooking oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 lbs pork knuckles in a pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes until tender. Drain and pat dry.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp cooking oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork knuckles and fry for 8-10 minutes, turning frequently, until golden brown and crisp on all sides.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 4 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar. Pour mixture over fried pork knuckles and cook for 2 minutes, stirring to coat evenly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fried Pork Knuckles with Garlic Vinegar Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Fried Pork Knuckles with Garlic Vinegar Sauce?

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 pork knuckles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fried Pork Knuckles with Garlic Vinegar Sauce?

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 Fried Pork Knuckles with Garlic Vinegar Sauce 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 Fried Pork Knuckles with Garlic Vinegar Sauce?

Filipino filipino 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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