Vinegar-Braised Pork Skewers with Garlic and Chili
Tender pork skewers marinated and braised in a tangy garlic and chili vinegar sauce that highlights Filipino street food flavors. This filipino-inspired pork ready in about 40 minutes pairs pounds pork shoulder, cubed, white vinegar, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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 pounds pork shoulder, cubed
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 8 skewers
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1.5 pounds cubed pork shoulder and marinate for at least 2 hours.
- Step 2: Thread the marinated pork cubes onto 8 skewers evenly.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add pork skewers and sear for 3 minutes per side until browned.
- Step 4: Lower heat to medium, pour remaining marinade into the pan, and cover. Simmer pork skewers for 10 minutes until tender and sauce thickens slightly, spooning sauce over the meat occasionally.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve the skewers hot with steamed rice or as a savory snack.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vinegar-Braised Pork Skewers with Garlic and Chili take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 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 Vinegar-Braised Pork Skewers with Garlic and Chili?
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 pounds pork shoulder, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vinegar-Braised Pork Skewers with Garlic and Chili?
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 Vinegar-Braised Pork Skewers with Garlic and Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Vinegar-Braised Pork Skewers with Garlic and Chili?
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.
