Who doesn’t love pork adobo? The savory, sweet and salty taste of pork drenched in soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic is impossible not to recognize. Adobo is a dish so quintessentially Filipino, guaranteed to win the hearts of all your loved ones.

Adobo actually refers to the cooking process of marinating your meat or vegetables in a combination of soy sauce, vinegar and garlic. This cooking method is indigenous to the Philippines, as many used to prepare their meat with vinegar and salt to preserve it in the country’s tropical climate.

Adobo also comes in many different colors. For instance, have you heard of the dish adobong puti? This rendition of adobo is said to be the closest to Pre-Hispanic adobo, made without the soy sauce that gives it its dark color, and is replaced by salt instead. Other regions in Visayas and Mindanao make the dish adobong dilaw. This adobo recipe includes the addition of turmeric, which gives it its yellow color.

Variations of adobo include chicken adobo, adobong kangkong, or even adobong pusit, among others. But pork adobo is, arguably, one of the most popular renditions –– and for good reason. The juicy, fatty cut of pork belly is able to soak up the flavorful sauce with ease. Depending on your household, different vegetables can be put in adobo dishes, too. Some of these include potatoes, pineapple, and even bell peppers, among others. But no matter what you put in your adobo, you still get that delicious and familiar flavor that feels like home. And paired with a steaming cup of white rice, it makes an absolutely scrumptious lunch or dinner –– even breakfast! What vegetables and meat do you like in your adobo?

Another great companion to pork adobo (and a lot of other meals, of course) is a nice, ice cold glass of Coca Cola. Filipinos love soft drinks, but Coke remains to be one of the most popular. When enjoyed with lots of ice it is an excellent accompaniment to any meal, especially during hot days.

Because pork adobo and Coke seem to make the perfect combination –– why not add the latter to the cooking process? This is where our recipe for today comes in: homemade Coke Pork Adobo. This dish has all the flavors of adobo you love, as well as the sweetness of a nice glass of Coca Cola.

Coke makes for a great substitute for sugar in dishes because of its already sweet flavor. It also works well as a tenderizer for meat –– not just pork, but beef and lamb, too. Its components help in lessening the cooking time you’d typically need for pork belly. On its own, however, the taste might be a bit strange –– which is where the adobo sauce comes in. But it’s also important to not let it marinate in the Coke for too long; you don’t want your pork adobo getting mushy!

Coke Pork Adobo is evidence of how Filipinos remain innovative and put twists on classic, well-loved dishes. This is a quick and easy meal that you can enjoy with your loved ones in no time. Try this coke pork adobo recipe today!

How to Make Coke Pork Adobo: Step By Step

Heat up your pan and add 3 tablespoons of canola oil. While your oil is heating, crush your 5 cloves of garlic and add them to the pan as well. Saute garlic until it becomes a gorgeous light brown.

Add in your juicy pork belly, cut into cubes. Sauté pork and garlic together until the outer part of your pork turns light brown, too. Stir your pork belly consistently, as to extract oil from the juicy belly. Pour in your soy sauce and vinegar afterwards and let it boil. Stir and cook your mixture for a minute.

Now add 12 ounces of Coke into the pot and let it boil once again. Add your whole peppercorn and bay leaves, covering the pan and letting it cook once again. Pork adobo should be left to cook for 45 minutes under low heat.

Afterwards, remove the pot cover and let the pork adobo cook some more. Stir it every once in a while until your sauce fully evaporates. Once it does, there you have it –– you coke pork adobo is ready to be served.