Discover the Rich Flavors of Filipino Pork Humba: A Traditional Braised Dish

🇵🇭 Filipino Pork Humba (Sweet Soy Braised Pork Belly)

🌺 A Taste of Home: My Family’s Pork Humba

Growing up in the Philippines, pork humba was always a special dish on our table especially during weekends and family gatherings. The rich aroma of soy sauce, garlic, and brown sugar slowly simmering would fill the kitchen, making everyone excited for dinner.

This Visayan-style braised pork dish is known for its sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavor, often enhanced with fermented black beans and dried banana blossoms. It’s comforting, deeply flavorful, and best enjoyed with a big bowl of steamed rice.

If you’re looking for a true taste of Filipino home cooking, this pork humba recipe will bring that warmth right into your kitchen.

⏱️ Recipe Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Servings: 4–6

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork belly, cut into cubes
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp whole peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup fermented black beans (optional but authentic)
• 1/2 cup dried banana blossoms (optional)
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

📝 Ingredient Notes

• Pork belly – gives rich, tender texture
• Brown sugar – adds signature sweetness
• Black beans – gives authentic humba flavor
• Banana blossoms – traditional Visayan ingredient

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, sauté until fragrant.

Step 2: Brown the Pork

Add pork belly and cook until lightly browned on all sides.

Step 3: Build the Flavor

Pour in soy sauce, water, and oyster sauce. Add bay leaves and peppercorns.

Step 4: Simmer

Bring to a boil, then lower heat. Simmer for 40–50 minutes until pork is tender.

Step 5: Add Sweetness & Depth

Add brown sugar, vinegar, black beans, and banana blossoms. Stir gently.

Step 6: Reduce Sauce

Simmer for another 15–20 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 7: Serve

Serve hot with steamed white rice.

🥡 Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Store up to 4 days in airtight container
• Freezer: Store up to 2 months
• Reheat: Warm on stove with a splash of water

🔄 Substitutions

• Pork belly → pork shoulder
• Brown sugar → coconut sugar
• Banana blossoms → omit if unavailable
• Black beans → optional

💡 Cooking Tips

• Simmer low and slow for tender meat
• Don’t stir vinegar immediately — let it boil first
• Sauce thickens more as it cools

🍽️ Variations

• Add hard-boiled eggs
• Make it spicy with chili
• Add pineapple for sweet twist

❓ FAQ

What is pork humba?

A Filipino braised pork dish from the Visayas with sweet and savory flavors.

Can I cook this faster?

Yes! Use a pressure cooker (30 minutes).

Why is my sauce too thin?

Simmer longer to reduce and thicken.

🥗 Nutrition Notes (Approximate)

• Calories: 450–550 per serving
• Protein: High
• Fat: Moderate to high
• Best enjoyed in moderation

🖨️ Printable Recipe Card

Filipino Pork Humba

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 1 hr 15 mins

Total: 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 4–6

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs pork belly
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• garlic, onion, bay leaves
• vinegar, black beans

Instructions:

1. Sauté garlic & onion
2. Brown pork
3. Add liquids & simmer
4. Add sugar & vinegar
5. Reduce sauce
6. Serve with rice