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Flavorful BBQ Pork Skewers Recipe Easy Authentic Filipino Marinade

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Juicy and flavorful Filipino-style BBQ pork skewers marinated in a sweet, sour, and umami blend of soy sauce, calamansi juice, brown sugar, garlic, and vinegar. Perfect for grilling or indoor cooking with a tender, caramelized finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup calamansi juice (or substitute with fresh lemon or lime juice)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons banana ketchup (optional)
  • Cooking oil (vegetable or canola) for grilling or brushing
  • Steamed white rice (for serving)
  • Atchara (pickled papaya) or fresh cucumber slices (for serving)
  • Extra banana ketchup or spiced vinegar (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut into 1-inch cubes, keeping pieces uniform for even cooking (about 10 minutes).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, calamansi juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, ground black pepper, apple cider vinegar, and banana ketchup (if using) until sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes).
  3. Add pork cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight for maximum flavor.
  4. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
  5. Remove pork from marinade (reserve marinade for basting). Thread 5-6 pieces per skewer, leaving space between pieces for even cooking.
  6. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C). Brush grill grates or pan with oil to prevent sticking.
  7. Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally. Baste with reserved marinade during grilling for extra flavor and moisture. Watch for flare-ups and move skewers if needed.
  8. Check pork internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Meat should be juicy and no longer pink inside.
  9. Let skewers rest off heat for 5 minutes to seal in juices.
  10. Serve hot with steamed rice, atchara or cucumber slices, and extra banana ketchup or spiced vinegar for dipping.

Notes

Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Marinate pork overnight for best flavor. Avoid crowding meat on skewers to ensure even cooking. Baste with reserved marinade but stop in the last minute to prevent flare-ups. Rest meat 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ pork skewers, Filipino marinade, calamansi, grilled pork, easy BBQ recipe, pork shoulder, banana ketchup, Filipino cuisine

Find it online: https://larameals.com/flavorful-bbq-pork-skewers-recipe-easy-authentic-filipino-marinade/