Delicious and Juicy Pork Asado Recipe

Are you looking for a savory and flavorful dish to serve at your next gathering or family dinner? Look no further than this Pork Asado recipe. Originating from both Chinese and Filipino cuisine, this recipe combines the bold flavors of soy sauce, five spice powder, and brown sugar to create a sweet and savory sauce that perfectly complements the tender cuts of pork shoulder.

As a chef specializing in Brazilian and American cuisine, I have always been fascinated by the fusion of different culinary cultures. Pork asado is a perfect example of how the blending of Chinese and Filipino flavors can result in a delicious and unique dish that will leave your taste buds wanting more.

Whether you are an adventurous foodie or simply looking to switch up your usual dinner routine, this recipe is sure to impress. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Are you on the lookout for a hearty and delicious meal that can satisfy your cravings for both sweet and savory flavors? Then look no further than the Pork Asado Recipe! With its succulent pork shoulder cooked Chinese-style and a tantalizing mix of spices and sauces, this dish is sure to become your new favorite.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. It can be customized to suit any taste. Do you prefer spicier dishes? Simply add more red chile sauce or spice powder. Want a sweet element in the mix? Add some pineapple chunks to the marinade. The possibilities are endless, but the result is always a flavor-packed meal that will leave you satisfied and comforted.

Beyond its deliciousness, Pork Asado is also incredibly easy to make. With just a few basic ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and calamansi juice (if available), you can whip up a scrumptious feast without breaking the bank or taking hours in the kitchen.

Moreover, if you’re looking for an alternative to chicken, beef or fish options, this pork dish offers excellent nutritional value with high amounts of protein that help keep you full throughout the day. Plus, it’s perfect for feeding a large group or meal-prepping for the week since it freezes well and stores in the fridge with ease.

If you’re new to Filipino cuisine or simply want to add some variety to your recipe game, then this Pork Asado Recipe is for you! Don’t hesitate to try it out – you’ll quickly see why it’s been widely enjoyed across different cultures and countries for generations.

Ingredient List

Ingredients:

Pork Asado Recipe:

• 1.3 kg Pork Shoulder – Cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2/3 cup Soy Sauce
• 3 cups Water
• 2 cups Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Five Spice Powder
• 6 cloves Garlic, minced
• Juice of one Lemon (or Calamansi)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Asado Chinese Style Pork:

• 1 kg Pork Shoulder or Belly – Cut into small pieces
• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
• 1/4 cup Oyster Sauce
• 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Five Spice Powder
• 6 cloves Garlic, chopped finely
• 2 teaspoons Knorr Liquid Seasoning or Maggi Seasoning or Soy Sauce (optional)
• Juice of one Lemon (or Calamansi)

Asado de Puerco (Mexican Pork Stew):

• 1 kg Mexican Pork Stew Meat or Pork Shoulder – Cut into small pieces
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 onion diced
• 2 tbsp red chile sauce (New Mexico red or canned enchilada sauce works as well)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pinch of cinnamon

These recipes’ ingredients are simple but bold. Be sure to have all of them in stock when you begin cooking.

The Recipe How-To

Now that we’ve got all the ingredients out and ready to cook, let’s move on to the cooking instructions.

Step 1: Prep the Pork Shoulder

First, take a 3 lb pork shoulder and cut it into 1-2 inch cubes. Remove any excess fat or skin. If you want to make sure it turns out as tender as possible, you can marinate it overnight. However, if you don’t have time to let it marinate, don’t worry – it’ll still come out great.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

Next, heat up some oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add in 5 cloves of garlic minced and sauté until fragrant.

Step 3: Add the Pork Shoulder

Once you have a garlic aroma filling in your kitchen spreading good vibes, add pork shoulder cubes into the pan, tossing frequently until pork changes color.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

While waiting for pork to change color, prepare your sauce by combining 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic minced, and 1 teaspoon Knorr liquid seasoning in a mixing bowl

Step 5: Continue Cooking with Sauce

Once the pork has changed color, pour in the sauce into the pan with pork together with 2 cups of water. Add 1 bay leaf into your mixture and bring it to boil.

Step 6: Caramelize Brown Sugar

Once Boil is reached, add in remaining brown sugar and reduce heat to low. Simmer until caramelized while uncovering ½ of the lid in every simmering interval approximately about 10 -15 minutes before each mixing interval.

Step 7: Spice Up with Five Spice Powder and Chile Colorado Sauce

Incorporate 2 teaspoons of five spice powder and 1/2 cup of Chile Colorado sauce, continue simmering over low heat for an additional 30 minutes. Be sure to constantly mix it once every 5-10 minutes interval to fully incorporate the dish flavors.

Step 8: Serve Hot

Once the pork is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat source and place in serving dish. Best partnered with steaming hot rice with citrus like calamansi or just a simple juice soy dipping sauce.

There you go, your delicious Pork Asado recipe is now ready to be served. This meal will leave your guests wanting more! Enjoy your fragrant and flavorful Pork Asado!

Substitutions and Variations

When it comes to cooking, experimentation is key. Don’t be afraid to swap out ingredients or add your own twist to make a recipe uniquely yours. Here are a few substitutions and variations you can try with our Pork Asado recipe:

1. Chicken Asado: Don’t eat pork? No problem! Substitute the pork shoulder with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a similar taste.

2. Pineapple Pork Asado: Add some tropical flavor to your dish by including pineapple chunks along with the pork when you cook.

3. Kapampangan Style Pork Asado: For those who want to explore the traditional Filipino cuisine, try Kapampangan style Pork Asado like “Humba”. It uses similar ingredients but has a distinct flavor profile because it blends sourness and sweetness in the sauce which mimics “Estofado” close to Humba style.

4. Soy-Free Pork Asado Recipe: If you are allergic to soy sauce or simply don’t want it, replace soy sauce with Worcestershire sauce, coconut aminos, or fish sauce instead.

5. Mexican-Style Pork Stew (Asado de Puerco): Want to switch things up with a different regional flavor? Try the spicy Mexican-style slow-cooked pork stew ‘Asado de Puerco’ that includes chile peppers and red chile sauce.

Keep in mind that making substitutions may change the dish’s overall flavor, so taste as you go and adjust accordingly. Have fun exploring and inventing your unique twists on this delicious classic dish!

Serving and Pairing

Pork Asado is an enjoyable and versatile dish to serve, making it perfect for any occasion. Pair it with a steaming bowl of white rice or thick noodles for an authentic Filipino or Chinese meal. The savory and slightly sweet flavor profile of the Pork Asado is perfect when paired with Chinese vegetables like bok choy, gai lan, or snow peas to brighten up your plate with fresh and crunchy vegetables.

If you want to add more tropical flair to this dish, try a side of Pineapple Fried Rice or Coconut Rice; both go well with the sweet-savory flavor of the pork. You can also pair Pork Asado with other Filipino dishes like Chicken Adobo, Pancit Canton, or Lumpia Shanghai. These pairing meals create a symphony of flavors, textures, and colors on your plate.

For those who love spicy food, serve Pork Asado with chili garlic sauce or a sprinkle of chopped red chilies for an extra kick of heat. If you want to tone down the spice level of the dish, you may add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance out the flavors.

Lastly, complete the mealtime experience with refreshing beverages like iced tea, fresh calamansi juice, bubbly soda pop or even an ice-cold bottle of beer. The combinations are endless; it just depends on your personal preference!

Overall, Pork Asado is a perfect balance between sweet and savory that can be enjoyed with various sides and drinks, giving you endless options for serving and pairing this delicious dish.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

If you’re planning to make Pork Asado for a big gathering or just want to save time, you can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to three days. To make sure that the pork stays moist, store it in an airtight container with some of the sauce or broth.

Reheating the dish is easy, but it’s important to keep the meat from drying out. You can reheat it in the oven, microwave, or stove-top. If reheating in the oven, add a little bit of water or broth to the dish before covering it with foil and baking at 350°F for about 15 to 20 minutes. For the microwave method, place the Pork Asado in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with damp paper towels before heating on high for two to three minutes, checking and stirring occasionally.

If you want to serve it cold, let it cool down before placing it in an airtight container and storing it in the fridge.

One thing to note is that pork dishes typically lose their flavor after a few days of storage. You can try adding some fresh herbs or spices when reheating to revive the flavors. But if you’re looking to use leftovers creatively, you can incorporate them into other recipes like tacos, sandwiches or salads.

Overall, Pork Asado is a dish that’s versatile and easy to prepare ahead of time. Whether you’re hosting a big party, meal planning for the week or lunch prepping, this recipe allows you to have delicious meals without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Tips for Perfect Results

To ensure that your Pork Asado comes out perfectly, consider the following tips:

First and foremost, the quality of the pork meat ensures its taste. Choose a good quality pork shoulder cut that is tender, preferably with some fat marbling for optimal flavor. It’s best to use fresh pork to avoid spoilage and for the marinade to penetrate well.

Marinate your pork asado the day before cooking. This allows time for the meat to absorb all the flavors from the spices, soy sauce, and other ingredients. For best results, let it marinate in a sealed container in the fridge overnight.

When chopping garlic or any other ingredient, make sure to crush it finely so it mixes well in the marinade. Make sure there are no minced chunks left as they can affect taste and spoilage.

When cooking the pork asado, do not overcrowd the pot or pan. Instead, divide it into smaller portions to let each cube of meat cook evenly with room for simmering.

Adding bell peppers and pineapple chunks not only adds color and flavor to your Pork Asado but also acts as a natural meat tenderizer!

To thicken the sweet savory sauce of your Pork Asado use white sugar instead of brown sugar at first, until you get desired thickness then add brown sugar by tablespoon/s until you reach desired sweetness.

Lastly, adding bay leaves and calamansi juice provides a unique aroma and taste to this recipe. If you don’t have calamansi juice on hand, you can substitute it with lemon juice along with some orange zest. This complements well with Pork Asado’s sweet savory taste.

Remember these tips while preparing your Pork Asado recipe so you can achieve the perfect balance of flavors reminding you of why this dish became a staple dish in Kapampangan region.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, the Pork Asado Recipe is a must-try. If you are looking for a recipe that is easy to make and packed with flavor, then this is perfect for you. Not only is it perfect for family dinners or gatherings, but it’s also great for meal prepping or batch cooking.

With its unique blend of Chinese and Mexican flavors, this dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more. Plus, with the variations and substitutions suggested in this article, you can tailor the recipe to your personal preferences.

So whether you’re a fan of Filipino cuisine, Chinese-style pork, or Mexican pork stew, this recipe has something for everyone. Don’t let the seemingly long list of ingredients intimidate you – I promise it’s worth it. Give it a try and let your taste buds be the judge.

Try out this recipe and share it with your friends and family. They might just become as addicted to Pork Asado as I am.

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