Slow-Simmered Pork Adobo with Black Vinegar and Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

A classic Filipino pork stew braised in a balance of soy sauce, black vinegar, garlic, and fragrant bay leaves until tender and flavorful. This Filipino-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, soy sauce, black vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 lbs, cut into 2-inch cubes pork shoulder
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup black vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 6 cloves, crushed garlic cloves
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp whole black peppercorns
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium, sliced white onion
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• to taste salt

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Instructions

1. 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 and edges are crispy.
2. Step 2: Add 6 crushed garlic cloves and 1 sliced medium white onion to the pot, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup black vinegar, and 1 cup water. Stir in 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp whole black peppercorns, and 1 tbsp brown sugar.
4. Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes until pork is tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
5. Step 5: Season with salt to taste, remove bay leaves, and serve hot with steamed rice.