Filipino Pork Tocino (Easy & No Artificial Colors)
User Reviews
5
Filipino Pork Tocino (Easy & No Artificial Colors)
Description
Filipino Pork Tocino is a sweet cured pork dish made using thinly sliced pork shoulder or pork belly marinated in a mixture of granulated sugar, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, annatto powder for color, and pineapple juice, which adds slight acidity and sweetness.
The pork marinates for at least 8 hours in the refrigerator to absorb the flavors without becoming tough. When cooking, the pork and marinade are poured into a pan with just enough water to cover the meat. The pork is then braised over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the water evaporates and the sugars caramelize, giving the pork a sticky, glossy finish.
The resulting texture is tender with a balance of sweet, salty, and slightly tangy flavors. Tocino is typically served with plain rice and eggs, making it a popular choice for breakfast or a comforting meal throughout the day.
Adjust the salt in the marinade depending on your salt brand's salinity, as some brands can be saltier or milder. Avoid over-marinating beyond two days to prevent the pork from toughening.
Ingredients
Tocino marinade
- ¼ c sugar granulated white
- ¾ tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp annatto powder
- ¼ c pineapple juice only use 100% juice
- 1 lb pork shoulder cut into ¼ inch slices, and/or pork belly
Cooking tocino
- 2-3 tbsp water more or less depending on the size of your pan
- vegetable oil optional
Instructions
Tocino marinade
- In a glass container with a lid, combine the dry ingredients and stir together. Pour in the pineapple juice and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add in the pork and mix until all the pork is covered with the marinade. Cover with the lid and let marinate in the fridge for at least 8 hours. I would not recommend marinating for longer than 2 days because the meat may get tough.
Cooking tocino
- Remove the tocino marinade from the fridge at least 20 minutes before cooking and let it come to room temperature on the counter.
- In a pan over medium heat, pour all the contents of the tocino and marinade. Spread the pork evenly throughout the pan.
- Pour enough water so that just about covers the pork slices. Stir the meat every so often to make sure all the pieces cook evenly. Continue to braise the pork for about 10 minutes or until the water reduces completely.
- Continue to cook the pork for another 5-7 minutes or until the sugars in the marinade and meat begin to caramelize in the pan – DO NOT leave the pan unattended at this point. This is how it looks midway through cooking.
- Stir constantly to prevent the pork from burning, and lower the heat if it’s browning too fast for you to control. Here's how the tocino looks when fully cooked.
- Remove the meat from the pan when the tocino is caramelized, golden reddish-brown and slightly sticky. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust salt quantity based on the salt brand's potency to avoid over-salting.
- Marinate the pork between 8 hours and 2 days for best tenderness; longer marination may toughen the meat.
- Remove the marinated pork from the fridge and let it come to room temperature before cooking for even cooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 16691 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 166.91kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 16.24g | 5% |
| Protein | 13.99g | 28% |
| Fat | 4.98g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1.72g | 9% |
| Cholesterol | 46.34mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 1362.93mg | 57% |
| Potassium | 283.99mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 0.22g | 1% |
| Sugar | 14.01g | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 2.03mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 9.69mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1.03mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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