Hearty Pork Sinigang with Tamarind Broth and Vegetables
A comforting Filipino sour soup featuring pork ribs simmered in a tangy tamarind broth with fresh vegetables like radish, eggplant, and water spinach. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 90 minutes pairs tamarind paste, water, medium tomatoes, quartered for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 pounds pork ribs, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 tbsp tamarind paste
- 8 cups water
- 3 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 1 cup daikon radish, sliced
- 1 cup eggplant, cut into chunks
- 2 whole long green chili peppers
- 2 cups water spinach (kangkong), trimmed
- 3 tbsp fish sauce
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 2 pounds pork ribs, 8 cups water, 3 quartered tomatoes, and 1 quartered onion. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour until pork is tender.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 tablespoons tamarind paste and 3 tablespoons fish sauce, then add 1 cup sliced daikon radish and 1 cup eggplant chunks. Simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 3: Add 2 whole long green chili peppers and 2 cups trimmed water spinach leaves. Cook for an additional 3 minutes until spinach is wilted.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Pork Sinigang with Tamarind Broth and Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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 Hearty Pork Sinigang with Tamarind Broth and Vegetables?
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 tamarind paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Pork Sinigang with Tamarind Broth and Vegetables?
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 Hearty Pork Sinigang with Tamarind Broth and Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Hearty Pork Sinigang with Tamarind Broth and Vegetables?
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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