If there’s a dish that embodies the Filipino love for sweet-savory flavors, it’s pork hamonado. This festive stew features tender pork shoulder simmered slowly in a luscious sauce of pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and aromatic spices until the meat is fall-apart tender and the sauce is thick and glossy.
The pineapple not only adds natural sweetness but also contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps tenderize the meat, making each bite incredibly succulent.
Traditionally served during fiestas, Christmas, and special family gatherings, pork hamonado is the kind of dish that fills your home with an irresistible aroma and brings everyone to the table. Serve it with steaming white rice to soak up every drop of that glorious sauce.
Instructions
Sear the Pork
Pat the pork chunks dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt. Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, sear the pork until golden brown on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Aromatics
Reduce heat to medium. Add the onion to the pot and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add Liquids and Simmer
Return the seared pork to the pot. Add the pineapple juice, water, soy sauce, brown sugar, banana ketchup (if using), bay leaves, and peppercorns. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fork-tender and the sauce has reduced.
Thicken the Sauce (Optional)
If the sauce is too thin, remove the pork and set aside. Increase heat to medium-high and simmer the sauce for 5 to 10 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. Return the pork to the pot and toss to coat.
Add Pineapple Chunks
Stir in the pineapple chunks (if using) and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or sugar if needed.
Serve
Transfer the pork hamonado to a serving bowl. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions. Serve hot with steamed white rice.
This Pork Hamonado is a celebration of Filipino flavors—sweet, savory, and utterly comforting.
