Zesty Filipino BBQ Pork Skewers: A Flavor-Packed Recipe

Tender chunks of pork dance with a vibrant filipino bbq marinade that captures the essence of tropical grilling.

Smoky aromas waft through backyard gatherings, promising a feast of bold flavors.

Each skewer carries a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes that make taste buds sing.

Marinating transforms ordinary meat into a culinary celebration of Filipino street food traditions.

Charcoal grills eagerly await these succulent morsels, ready to caramelize and char the edges to perfection.

Fire up the grill and let these skewers become the star of your next outdoor meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 305 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients In BBQ Pork Skewers With Filipino BBQ Marinade

• Pork: Select tender, marbled cuts like pork belly or shoulder for juicy, flavorful skewers that caramelize beautifully on the grill.

• Banana Ketchup: Unique Filipino condiment adding sweet, tangy richness with vibrant tropical character.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers deep umami and salty complexity to enhance meat's natural flavors.
• Brown Sugar: Creates gorgeous caramelization and balances savory notes with subtle molasses sweetness.
• Lemon Juice: Tenderizes meat and introduces bright, zesty acidity.

• Garlic: Provides robust, pungent depth and traditional Filipino cooking foundation.
• Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and layered aromatic complexity.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle heat and warm spice undertones.
• Oyster Sauce (Optional): Contributes rich, deep umami and glossy coating.
• Chili Flakes (Optional): Brings subtle heat and vibrant flavor kick.

• Bamboo Skewers: Ensure thorough soaking to prevent burning during grilling.

Tools To Prepare BBQ Pork Skewers

• Sharp Knife: Essential for slicing pork into thin, long strips evenly.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining marinade ingredients and marinating meat.
• Bamboo Skewers: Soaked in water to prevent burning during grilling.
• Grill or Barbecue: Key for cooking skewers and achieving that delicious charred flavor.
• Tongs: Helpful for turning skewers and handling meat safely on the grill.
• Basting Brush (optional): Great for spreading extra sauce while grilling.

Instructions For BBQ Pork Skewers

• Slice and Prep Pork

Cut the pork into thin, elongated strips perfect for threading onto skewers, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.

• Whip Up Marinade Magic

Blend banana ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, diced onion, cracked pepper, fresh lemon juice, and optional spicy extras like oyster sauce or chili flakes in a large mixing bowl.

• Infuse Flavors Overnight

Submerge pork strips completely in the zesty marinade, cover, and let them soak in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight to develop rich, deep tastes.

• Skewer and Arrange

Carefully thread marinated pork onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers, creating uniform kabobs ready for grilling.

• Fire Up the Grill

Heat your grill or charcoal to a medium-high temperature, creating the perfect environment for caramelizing and cooking the meat.

• Grill to Perfection

Place skewers on the hot grill, turning occasionally and basting with extra marinade. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the pork is beautifully charred and thoroughly cooked, with a tantalizing golden-brown exterior.

Flavor Boosting Tips For BBQ Pork Skewers

• Temperature Control: Allow meat to reach room temperature before grilling for even cooking and perfect caramelization of marinade.
• Marinating Magic: Maximum flavor development occurs between 8-12 hours of marinating, allowing deeper penetration of Filipino-style seasonings into meat.
• Skewer Safety: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning and potential flame flare-ups during cooking.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace brown sugar with sugar-free alternative like erythritol or monk fruit sweetener for diabetic-friendly version without losing signature sweet-savory flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Twist: Substitute pork with firm tofu, tempeh, or portobello mushrooms, maintaining identical marinade for plant-based protein alternative that captures authentic Filipino barbecue essence.

Ways To Serve BBQ Pork Skewers

• Backyard Fiesta Feast: Pair these sizzling BBQ pork skewers with steamed white rice and a fresh cucumber salad for a complete Filipino-inspired meal.
• Dipping Delight: Whip up a quick garlic-vinegar sauce by mixing minced garlic, white vinegar, soy sauce, and chopped chili peppers to add an extra kick to the skewers.
• Party Platter Perfection: Create a colorful appetizer spread by arranging the skewers on a large platter with pickled vegetables, grilled pineapple chunks, and wedges of lime for squeezing.
• Weekend Cookout Companion: Serve alongside cold San Miguel beer or a refreshing calamansi juice to complement the rich, tangy flavors of the BBQ pork.

Store And Plan BBQ Pork Skewers

• Smart Meal Planning: Prep pork skewers in batches for quick weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings, making multiple portions at once.
• Strategic Refrigeration: Store marinated skewers in airtight containers for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum flavor absorption and convenience.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap uncooked skewered pork individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for storage up to 1 month, maintaining marinade's rich taste.
• Leftover Magic: Repurpose grilled pork skewers by chopping and adding to salads, rice bowls, or wraps for delicious next-day meals without waste.

Sizzling BBQ Pork Skewers With Filipino BBQ Marinade Recipe

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4.8 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Succulent BBQ Pork Skewers with Filipino BBQ Marinade bring authentic Philippine street flavors to your grill. Marinated pork chunks offer tangy, sweet notes that transport diners directly to Manila’s bustling culinary landscapes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 grams) pork shoulder or pork butt, sliced into thin strips
• 12–15 bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
• 1 cup banana ketchup
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely grated
• ¼ cup lemon juice or calamansi juice
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp chili flakes or hot sauce
• ½ cup banana ketchup
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 2 tbsps cooking oil

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Slice pork into slender, uniform strips ideal for skewering, ensuring consistent cooking and appealing presentation.
2. Marinade Creation: Whisk together banana ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, onion, pepper, lemon juice, oyster sauce, and optional chili flakes in a large mixing bowl, creating a complex flavor profile that will penetrate the meat.
3. Marinating Process: Thoroughly coat pork strips in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to maximize flavor infusion and tenderize the meat.
4. Skewering and Grilling Setup: Thread marinated pork evenly onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers and prepare grill or charcoal to medium-high heat, creating an ideal cooking environment for caramelization and flavor development.
5. Cooking Technique: Grill skewers, rotating periodically to achieve an even, golden-brown exterior, basting with reserved marinade if desired. Cook until pork is thoroughly done, approximately 10-15 minutes, ensuring a perfect balance of char and juiciness.

Notes

• Slice with Precision: Cut pork into uniform, thin strips to ensure even cooking and consistent texture across all skewers.
• Marinate Masterfully: Allow pork to soak in marinade for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to maximize flavor absorption and tenderize meat.
• Manage Grill Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat to create perfect caramelization without burning the meat’s exterior.
• Prevent Cross-Contamination: Always use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw meat, and discard unused marinade to ensure food safety.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Filipino

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 65 mg