Grilled Filipino-Style Sweet and Savory Pork Barbecue Skewers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Sweet, salty, and sticky marinated pork skewers grilled over charcoal for a popular Filipino street food experience. This Filipino-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, soy sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 5, 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-inch cubes
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/4 cup banana ketchup
• 2 tbsp calamansi juice or lime juice
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 10 wooden skewers, soaked in water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 4 crushed garlic cloves, 1/4 cup banana ketchup, 2 tbsp calamansi or lime juice, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
2. Step 2: Add 2 lbs of 1-inch cubed pork shoulder to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated pork cubes onto 10 soaked wooden skewers evenly.
4. Step 4: Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until the pork is cooked through and caramelized with a sticky glaze.
5. Step 5: Serve the skewers hot with steamed rice or a dipping sauce of your choice.