Garlic-Vinegar Pork Adobo with Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

A classic Filipino stew of tender pork simmered in a tangy mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, and aromatic garlic with bay leaves. This Filipino recipe, ready in about 95 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, soy sauce, white vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 pork shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 3/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 8 whole garlic cloves, peeled
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• to taste salt

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes with 1/2 cup soy sauce and 8 whole peeled garlic cloves; marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the marinated pork and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes until the edges start to brown and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour in 3/4 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water, then add 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp black peppercorns, and 1 tsp granulated sugar. Do not stir; bring to a boil over high heat.
4. Step 4: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until the pork is tender and the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Season with salt to taste, remove bay leaves, and serve hot with steamed rice.