Pork Mechado Braised in Tomato and Soy Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork chunks slowly braised in a rich tomato and soy sauce base, accented with potatoes and bell peppers for a hearty Filipino stew. This Filipino-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs soy sauce, calamansi juice or lemon juice, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 65 min Serves 5 Filipino cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Marinate 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes in 1/3 cup soy sauce and 1/4 cup calamansi or lemon juice for 20 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 chopped medium onion for 3-4 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the marinated pork (reserve marinade) and brown the meat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup tomato sauce, reserved marinade, and 1 cup water. Stir in 1 tbsp brown sugar, then bring to a boil.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until pork is tender.
  6. Step 6: Add 2 peeled and quartered medium potatoes and 1 sliced red bell pepper, simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes until potatoes are cooked through and sauce thickens.
  7. Step 7: Season with salt and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pork Mechado Braised in Tomato and Soy Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (25 min prep + 65 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 Pork Mechado Braised in Tomato and Soy Sauce?

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 Pork Mechado Braised in Tomato and Soy Sauce?

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 Pork Mechado Braised in Tomato and Soy Sauce 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 Pork Mechado Braised in Tomato and Soy Sauce?

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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