Slow-Simmered Pork Adobo with Black Pepper and Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A traditional Filipino pork adobo dish featuring tender pork simmered in a tangy soy-vinegar sauce with aromatic bay leaves and freshly cracked black pepper. This Filipino-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 95 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, soy sauce, white vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 15 min Cook: 80 min Serves 6 Filipino cuisine 380 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
3 bay leaves
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
to taste salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes until golden.
Step 2: Add 6 crushed garlic cloves to the pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1 cup water. Stir in 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns, 3 bay leaves, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Bring to a gentle boil.
Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender and the sauce has slightly thickened.
Step 5: Remove the lid, increase heat to medium, and simmer uncovered for 10 more minutes to reduce the sauce to a glossy consistency. Season with salt to taste before serving.