Zesty Filipino BBQ Pork Skewers Recipe: Grilled Tropical Magic

Seared to perfection, these tangy Filipino BBQ pork skewers deliver a burst of flavor that captures the heart of street food culture.

Marinated in a vibrant blend of soy sauce, calamansi, and spices, the meat becomes irresistibly tender and juicy.

Sweet and savory notes dance across your palate with each succulent bite.

The recipe celebrates traditional Filipino grilling techniques passed down through generations.

Charred edges and caramelized surfaces promise a mouthwatering experience that transports you to bustling Manila street corners.

Each skewer tells a story of culinary passion and cultural pride.

Fire up the grill and prepare to embark on a delicious journey through the Philippines’ most beloved barbecue tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients That Make BBQ Pork Skewers with Filipino Marinade Sing

• Pork: Select lean, tender cuts like pork shoulder or belly for juicy, flavorful skewers that absorb marinade beautifully.

• Banana Ketchup: Adds unique Filipino sweetness and vibrant color, creating a signature tropical flavor profile.
• Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami depth and helps tenderize the meat with its natural enzymes.
• Brown Sugar: Balances savory elements and creates a caramelized exterior during grilling.

• Garlic: Brings robust, aromatic punch that complements the meat's richness.
• Onion: Adds subtle sweetness and complexity to the marinade.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle heat and warming spice notes.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens flavors and helps break down meat fibers for tenderness.

• Oyster Sauce: Contributes rich, oceanic umami for more complex flavor layers.
• Chili Flakes: Offers optional gentle heat for those craving spicier profile.

• Bamboo Skewers: Soak in water to prevent burning during high-heat grilling.

Must-Have Tools for Juicy BBQ Pork Skewers

• Grill or Charcoal Grill: Essential for achieving that perfect smoky flavor and char on the pork skewers.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Needed to combine all marinade ingredients and coat the pork evenly.
• Bamboo Skewers: Soak these in water beforehand to prevent burning during grilling.
• Sharp Knife: Use for slicing pork into thin, long strips that thread easily onto skewers.
• Tongs: Crucial for turning and handling skewers safely on the hot grill.
• Basting Brush (optional): Helpful for adding extra sauce while grilling.

How to Grill BBQ Pork Skewers with Filipino Flavor

• Slice Tender Meat Strips

Carefully cut pork into thin, graceful strips perfect for skewering, ensuring each piece will absorb maximum flavor.

• Craft Flavor-Packed Marinade

Combine banana ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, crushed garlic, diced onion, black pepper, zesty lemon juice, and optional spicy chili flakes in a vibrant mixing bowl.

• Infuse with Deliciousness

Immerse meat strips completely in marinade, sealing in a container and letting flavors mingle in the refrigerator for 4-8 hours.

• Assemble Skewer Magic

Thread marinated meat onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers, creating compact and uniform kebabs ready for grilling.

• Fire Up the Grill

Ignite grill or charcoal to medium-high heat, creating the perfect searing environment for caramelizing meat.

• Grill to Perfection

Place skewers on hot grates, rotating every few minutes and brushing with optional sauce until meat develops beautiful char marks and reaches delectable doneness.

Marinade Tips for Extra Bold BBQ Pork Skewers

• Keep skewers juicy and flavorful by ensuring even marination and careful grilling.
• Choose pork belly or pork shoulder for maximum tenderness and rich flavor profile.
• Replace banana ketchup with sugar-free tomato sauce and use monk sweetener instead of brown sugar for keto-friendly version.
• Substitute pork with firm tofu, tempeh, or large portobello mushroom slices to create a plant-based alternative that absorbs marinade beautifully.
• Adjust chili flakes based on heat preference – start with minimal amount and gradually increase to suit individual spice tolerance.

Serving Filipino-Style Pork Skewers with Rice or Slaw

• Backyard BBQ Fiesta: Create a vibrant Filipino-inspired spread with these skewer companions.
• Party Platter Paradise: Arrange skewers on a large wooden board with colorful garnishes like sliced green onions, pickled vegetables, and fresh lime wedges for a stunning presentation.
• Rice Bowl Companion: Serve skewers over steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice, drizzling extra marinade as a sauce to enhance the flavors and keep the meat succulent.
• Tropical Side Kick: Pair with quick pickled cucumber salad or grilled pineapple slices to balance the rich, sweet-savory marinade and add a refreshing contrast to the charred pork.

Save BBQ Pork Skewers for Weekend Leftovers

• Keep leftover skewers in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for 34 days. Quick Chilling Strategy: Let grilled skewers cool completely before refrigerating to maintain texture and prevent moisture buildup. Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap uncooked marinated skewers tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for up to 2 months – perfect for future meal prep. Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated skewers in a preheated oven at 350°F for 810 minutes, brushing with extra marinade to restore moisture and flavor.

Tangy Filipino BBQ Pork Skewers

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sizzling BBQ Pork Skewers showcase Filipino culinary magic with their tangy, smoky marinade. Succulent meat grilled to perfection promises a flavor journey that’ll transport your taste buds straight to the Philippines.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 pounds (907 g) pork shoulder or pork butt, sliced into thin strips
• 12–15 bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
• 1 cup (240 ml) banana ketchup
• ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice or calamansi juice
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional but adds depth)
• 1 tablespoon chili flakes or hot sauce (optional for heat)
• ½ cup (120 ml) banana ketchup (for basting)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (for basting)
• 2 tablespoons (30 g) brown sugar (for basting)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cooking oil (for basting)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pork Preparation: Carefully slice pork into slender, elongated strips suitable for skewering, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking.
2. Marinade Crafting: Combine banana ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, diced onion, ground pepper, freshly squeezed lemon juice, oyster sauce, and chili flakes in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking until ingredients form a harmonious blend.
3. Marination Process: Immerse pork strips completely in the marinade, ensuring thorough coating. Seal container and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
4. Skewering Technique: Thread pork strips onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers, distributing meat evenly to create balanced, compact kebabs that will grill uniformly.
5. Grilling Preparation: Ignite grill or charcoal to medium-high temperature, creating an ideal cooking environment with consistent heat distribution.
6. Grilling Finale: Position skewers on heated grill, rotating periodically and optionally basting with additional marinade. Cook until meat develops a rich, caramelized exterior and reaches perfect internal temperature, approximately 10-15 minutes.

Notes

• Cut pork strips uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent uneven charring.
• Allow minimum 4 hours marinating time, but overnight delivers maximum flavor penetration and tenderizes meat effectively.
• Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning and potential flame flare-ups.
• Maintain medium-high grill heat around 375-400°F to achieve perfect caramelization without burning marinade sugars.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Filipino

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg