Stewed Pork Adobo with Garlic and Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

A classic Filipino stew featuring tender pork simmered in a tangy soy-vinegar sauce infused with garlic and aromatic bay leaves. This Filipino-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 110 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes, soy sauce, 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 pork shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• to taste salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes with 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup vinegar, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 3 bay leaves, 1 tsp black peppercorns, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Remove pork from marinade (reserve marinade) and brown the pork cubes for 5-7 minutes until edges are lightly caramelized.
3. Step 3: Pour in the reserved marinade and 1 cup water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Taste and season with salt as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice.