Slow-Simmered Adobo Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Vinegar

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

Tender pork shoulder braised slowly in a tangy, garlicky adobo sauce, a quintessential Filipino comfort stew. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 170 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks, garlic cloves, smashed, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 130 min Serves 6 Filipino cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 8 smashed garlic cloves, 3 bay leaves, and 1 tsp whole black peppercorns. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Remove pork from marinade (reserve marinade) and brown pork pieces on all sides for 5-7 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Pour the reserved marinade and 1 cup water into the pot with the pork. Add 1 tbsp brown sugar and bring to a boil.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until pork is fork-tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Step 5: Uncover and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to reduce sauce to a glaze, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with steamed rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Adobo Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Vinegar take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (40 min prep + 130 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 Slow-Simmered Adobo Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Vinegar?

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 garlic cloves, smashed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Adobo Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Vinegar?

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 Slow-Simmered Adobo Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Vinegar 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 Slow-Simmered Adobo Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Vinegar?

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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