Sinigang Pork Soup with Tamarind and Vegetables
A comforting Filipino sour soup featuring tender pork, tamarind broth, and vibrant vegetables for a flavorful and hearty meal. This filipino-inspired soups ready in about 90 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, water, tamarind paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 1.5 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 cups water
- 3 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 1 cup radish, sliced
- 1 cup string beans, trimmed into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup eggplant, sliced
- 2 whole green chili peppers
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 cup water spinach (kangkong) or spinach
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1.5 lbs pork shoulder cubes with 8 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and skim off any scum for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 3 tablespoons tamarind paste, 2 quartered tomatoes, and 1 quartered onion. Simmer uncovered for 1 hour until pork is tender and broth is flavorful.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup sliced radish, 1 cup trimmed string beans, 1 cup sliced eggplant, and 2 whole green chili peppers. Cook for 10 minutes until vegetables are just tender.
- Step 4: Season soup with 2 tablespoons fish sauce, salt, and black pepper to taste. Stir in 1 cup water spinach or spinach leaves and cook for 2 more minutes until wilted.
- Step 5: Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy the bright, tangy flavors of this traditional Filipino sinigang.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sinigang Pork Soup with Tamarind 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 Sinigang Pork Soup with Tamarind 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 water from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sinigang Pork Soup with Tamarind 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 Sinigang Pork Soup with Tamarind 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 Sinigang Pork Soup with Tamarind and Vegetables?
Filipino soups 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.
