Pork Hamonado is a Filipino dish traditionally served on special occasions, featuring tender pork slow-cooked in a sweet and savory pineapple-infused sauce. The combination of soy sauce, pineapple juice, garlic, and sugar gives the pork its melt-in-your-mouth texture and a perfect balance of flavors. This recipe simplifies the process while delivering delicious results, making it an easy dish for any day of the week.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2-3 lbs pork belly, cut into 2-inch long, ¾-inch thick pieces

• 6 cloves garlic, crushed

• 1 cup soy sauce

• 2 cups water

• 2 cups pineapple juice

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons peppercorns

• 1 cup pineapple chunks

• Salt (optional, to taste)

• Dash of ground pepper

Directions

1. Marinate the Pork: In a large bowl or ziplock bag, combine pork belly slices with soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, peppercorns, and pineapple juice. Massage the mixture into the pork and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.

2. Cook the Pork: Transfer the marinated pork to a pot or deep pan. Add water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Let it simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until the meat is fork-tender.

3. Reduce the Sauce: Remove the lid and continue to simmer, allowing the liquid to reduce to a thick sauce. The fat will melt into the sauce, creating a rich, flavorful base.

4. Add Pineapple Chunks: Add the pineapple chunks to the pan and cook for a few more minutes until the fruit is soft and infused with the sauce.

5. Serve: Serve the Pork Hamonado hot with steamed rice.

Nutrients

• Calories: 888 kcal per serving

• Carbohydrates: 22g

• Protein: 19g

• Fat: 80g

  • Saturated Fat: 29g

• Cholesterol: 109mg

• Sodium: 2216mg

• Potassium: 544mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 16g

The Heart of Pork Hamonado: Pork Belly

The key to making an exceptional Pork Hamonado is the use of tender pork belly, which provides the perfect fat-to-meat ratio to absorb the flavors of the marinade and sauce. When cooked slowly, the pork belly becomes meltingly tender and soft, allowing the flavors to infuse every piece of meat. The slow-cooking process helps break down the fat, making the pork belly not only juicy but also rich in flavor.

By cutting the pork belly into bite-sized pieces, it allows the marinade to penetrate deeply into the meat, enhancing the overall taste and ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. The texture of the pork belly, combined with the rich sauce, is what makes Pork Hamonado so irresistible.

A Flavorful Marinade

At the heart of Pork Hamonado is its flavorful marinade, which includes soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and peppercorns. The soy sauce provides the necessary saltiness to balance out the sweetness of the pineapple juice and brown sugar, creating a harmonious base for the dish. The garlic infuses the sauce with a robust, aromatic flavor, while the peppercorns give it a gentle spice.

The sweetness from the brown sugar and pineapple juice is what makes Pork Hamonado stand out, offering a distinct contrast to the savory richness of the pork. The pineapple juice also helps tenderize the meat, while its natural acidity adds depth to the sauce. For the best results, it’s recommended to marinate the pork for at least two hours, though marinating it overnight will allow the flavors to meld even further, creating a more intense and delicious sauce.

Slow-Cooking: The Secret to Tender Pork

The cooking process for Pork Hamonado involves a slow simmer to ensure that the pork becomes tender and fully absorbs the flavors of the marinade. After bringing the mixture to a boil, the heat is reduced to medium-low, allowing the pork to simmer for 40-50 minutes. During this time, the pork belly becomes tender and juicy, with the flavors of the soy sauce, garlic, and pineapple slowly infusing the meat.

Once the pork is fork-tender, the lid is removed, and the sauce is allowed to reduce. This reduction thickens the sauce, intensifying the flavors and making it rich and flavorful. As the liquid evaporates, the fat from the pork belly melds into the sauce, enriching the overall taste. This step is crucial for creating the sticky, flavorful glaze that defines Pork Hamonado.

Adding Pineapple Chunks for Extra Sweetness

Pineapple is an essential component of Pork Hamonado, and adding pineapple chunks to the dish near the end of the cooking process gives the dish its signature sweet-and-savory taste. The pineapple chunks soften and absorb the flavors of the sauce, adding an extra burst of sweetness and texture to each bite. The natural sugars in the pineapple enhance the overall flavor, complementing the richness of the pork belly.

Cooking the pineapple in the sauce also allows the fruit to break down slightly, releasing its juices into the sauce and helping it thicken. This addition creates a well-rounded sauce that’s both savory and sweet, offering a delightful contrast to the pork.

Serving Pork Hamonado

Pork Hamonado is traditionally served with steamed rice, making it the perfect comfort food. The rich, flavorful sauce pairs perfectly with a bowl of soft, white rice, which helps soak up the savory, sweet sauce. The tenderness of the pork, combined with the vibrant pineapple and thick sauce, creates a satisfying meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

In addition to rice, you can also serve Pork Hamonado with other Filipino sides, such as pickled vegetables (atsara) or a simple green salad to balance the richness of the dish. Whether served on a special occasion or as a weeknight meal, Pork Hamonado will undoubtedly impress your family and guests with its deep, comforting flavors.

Nutritional Value of Pork Hamonado

Pork Hamonado is a rich dish, with the pork belly providing the majority of the fat content. A single serving contains approximately 888 calories, with 80g of fat, including 29g of saturated fat. While this makes the dish indulgent, the balance of flavors and the comforting, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the pork belly makes it worth every bite.

The carbohydrates in the dish mainly come from the pineapple juice and brown sugar, providing about 22g of carbs per serving. However, the dish is also high in protein (19g), which balances out the richness of the fat. While Pork Hamonado is a flavorful and indulgent meal, it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Tips for the Best Pork Hamonado

1. Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh garlic and high-quality pineapple juice. Fresh ingredients will give the dish a more vibrant taste and make a noticeable difference in the final result.

2. Let It Marinate: While marinating the pork for a minimum of 2 hours is essential, marinating overnight will allow the flavors to penetrate deeper into the meat, making the dish more flavorful.

3. Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter Pork Hamonado, feel free to add more brown sugar or pineapple juice. Conversely, if you like a more savory version, you can reduce the sugar to suit your taste.

4. Serve Immediately: Pork Hamonado is best served hot, directly from the pot. The sauce will thicken as it cools, so make sure to serve it while the sauce is still warm and flavorful.

Conclusion: A Comforting Filipino Classic

Pork Hamonado is a classic Filipino dish that combines the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. With its tender, flavorful pork belly, tangy pineapple, and rich soy-based sauce, it’s a meal that brings comfort and satisfaction to every bite. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner, Pork Hamonado is sure to impress with its depth of flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Paired with steamed rice and your favorite side dishes, it makes for a complete and hearty meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.