Easy Filipino Pork Asado Recipe

This Filipino pork asado is a dish made by simmering pork in a sweet and savory sauce made with garlic, soy sauce, sugar, and spices until the meat becomes tender and full of flavor. Unlike asado from other countries, Filipino pork asado is usually cooked in a rich sauce and served with steamed white rice. It has a balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors that make it beginner-friendly. The sauce is thick and glossy, perfect to put over hot rice.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 45

Total Time 55

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Filipino

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

1 kilo pork shoulder or pork belly sliced into chunks
¼ cup soy sauce
4 cloves garlic minced
1 onion sliced
⅓ cup brown sugar
2 cups water
2 bay leaves
1 piece star anise
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon cooking oil
Ground black pepper to taste
Optional: boiled eggs or potatoes

Method

Heat oil in a pan and sauté the garlic and onions until fragrant and slightly soft.
Add the pork and cook until lightly browned on all sides.
Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, water, brown sugar, bay leaves, and star anise. Stir well.
Cover and simmer on low heat for 35–45 minutes or until the pork becomes tender. Stir occasionally.
Remove the lid and continue simmering until the sauce thickens. Serve hot with rice.

Notes

For the best pork asado, use pork shoulder because it becomes tender and juicy after simmering. Cooking the pork slowly over low heat helps the meat absorb more flavor while keeping it soft. Allow the sauce to reduce naturally instead of rushing the process to give the dish its glossy texture. You can also add boiled eggs or potatoes if you want a heartier meal. If the sauce becomes too thick while cooking, simply add a little water and stir gently. Like many Filipino dishes, pork asado tastes better the next day.

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