Grilled Filipino-Style Sweet and Savory Pork Barbecue Skewers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sweet, salty, and sticky marinated pork skewers grilled over charcoal for a popular Filipino street food experience. This filipino-inspired pork 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.

★ 4.3 (13 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 5 Filipino cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Filipino-Style Sweet and Savory Pork Barbecue Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Grilled Filipino-Style Sweet and Savory Pork Barbecue Skewers?

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 Grilled Filipino-Style Sweet and Savory Pork Barbecue Skewers?

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 Grilled Filipino-Style Sweet and Savory Pork Barbecue Skewers for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). 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 Grilled Filipino-Style Sweet and Savory Pork Barbecue Skewers?

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.

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