Pork Binagoongan Recipe
Pork binagoongan is a flavorful Filipino dish that's quick and easy to prepare. Made with pork belly cooked with fresh tomatoes, shrimp paste, bitter gourd and eggplant, this pork dish is brimming with umami and salty flavor and best served with steaming rice.
Equipment
- Cooking pan and wooden spoon
- Chopping board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 kilogram pork belly, cut into cubes
- 3 large tomatoes, chopped
- 3-4 tablespoons sautéed shrimp paste, regular or spicy
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 piece bitter gourd (ampalaya), chopped , optional
- 2-3 pieces eggplant, divided into 4 , optional
Instructions
- In a cooking pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant and translucent. Add the pork belly and cook until the pork belly is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
- Toss in the tomatoes, shrimp paste, and water and mix until well blended.
- Let it simmer for about 5 minutes then pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to come to a boil before stirring.
- Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium heat and simmer for another 40-45minutes, or until the meat is tender.
- Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste.
- If using, add bitter gourd on top and cover. Cook for another 8-10 minutes before stirring.
- Transfer to a serving dish and serve with fried eggplant and steamed okra.
- Share and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Before you use your bagoong, give it a taste test. Commercially prepared sautéed shrimp paste is usually sweet and some may be saltier than others, so keep that in mind when adjusting the rest of the ingredients.
If using a raw bagoong, sauté it first and cook it for a further 3-5 minutes, or until it darkens in color before adding the pork belly.
After tossing in the ampalaya, do not stir and cover the pan so that it will minimize the chance of rendering a bitter taste.
Add Thai chilies or siling labuyo to make a spicy pork binagoongan.
