Glazed Filipino Pork Belly Adobo with Star Anise
A rich and savory Filipino pork belly adobo enhanced with a sweet soy glaze and aromatic star anise for a balanced and satisfying dish. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 75 minutes pairs cut into 1.5-inch cubes pork belly, soy sauce, white vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes pork belly
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 6 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 leaves bay leaves
- 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
- 2 whole pods star anise
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 sliced for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 6 cloves minced garlic, 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, and 2 whole star anise pods. Add 2 lbs pork belly cubes and marinate for at least 1 hour.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Remove pork belly from marinade (reserve marinade) and brown pieces for 5-7 minutes until edges are crispy.
- Step 3: Pour reserved marinade and 1 cup water into the pot with browned pork. Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes until pork is tender and sauce reduces to a thick glaze.
- Step 4: Adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Remove bay leaves and star anise pods.
- Step 5: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions and serve hot with steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Glazed Filipino Pork Belly Adobo with Star Anise 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 Glazed Filipino Pork Belly Adobo with Star Anise?
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 Glazed Filipino Pork Belly Adobo with Star Anise?
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 Glazed Filipino Pork Belly Adobo with Star Anise 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 Glazed Filipino Pork Belly Adobo with Star Anise?
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.
