Try this Filipino BBQ on Skewers. A perfect combination of sweet, salty, and sticky! 
Filipinos like mixing their flavors. That's for sure! One proof of that is our Filipino Pork BBQ. Just like our Filipino Spaghetti which is starting to gain international fame because of its unique flavor. These are just two examples of dishes where salty meets sweet and this combination tickles your senses like nothing else. Now add to that a spicy sour dip of spicy vinegar. Yum!
The first time I made Filipino BBQ for Armin, he actually found it a bit weird. Not bad only weird. They are not quite accustomed to this kind of food. Sweet usually belongs to dessert. We, Filipinos, on the other hand, would put sugar in anything if possible. But now that he got the hang of it, he actually really likes it.
The ingredients involved are very simple. Maybe the only difficult part would be to get a banana catsup if you are not in the Philippines but you can find it in most Filipino/Asian stores or Supermarket. But if not, you can use tomato catsup, of course, it will not be the same but it will do.
I know other people add 7-up or Sprite to their marinade but I haven't tried it yet. Maybe I should soon and will tell you how it goes.
Printable Recipe
Filipino BBQ - Pork Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork shoulder (tenderloin for softer meat) - cut into bite size pieces
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup banana ketchup
- ½ cup lemon soda - 7-Up or Sprite
- 5 big cloves garlic - crushed
- ⅛ cup lemon or calamansi juice
BASTING SAUCE
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ¼ cup banana ketchup
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix using your hands for at least 3 minutes.
- Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let it marinade for at least 3 hours or if you have time place it in the fridge overnight for better flavor absorption.
- Skewer 5-6 pieces of pork into a bamboo skewer or sticks starting with the fatty (belly) part and the rest with lean parts.
- Add the oil, sugar, soy sauce, and ketchup to the leftover marinade sauce for basting. Brush the meat with the basting sauce before and while grilling. Grill until both sides are done.
- Serve with spicy vinegar.
- You may also use the rest of the marinade/basting sauce as a dipping sauce. Just transfer it to a saucepan and bring to boil. Then remove from heat and transfer to a dipping sauce dish.
RCP says
Hi, for soysauce - dark(datuputi) or light(kikoman)? Whats best for taste or closest to the filipino vendor recipe? Thank u!
Bebs says
Use regular soy sauce like Datu Puti or Silver Swan
Ken says
How would you adopt tomato ketchup for banana ketchup? 1:1 the BBQ tasted too"tomatoey" to me.
Bebs says
Yes, it is not really the same. But if it is all you've got, then I recommend adding sugar to the tomato ketchup and then simmer it for some minutes to lessen the acidity. I read that others also add some baking soda for the same effect.
DanaJoy says
I tried and followed your recipe but I think 2 tsps of salt is too much when 1/2 cup of soy sauce is already added.
Perhaps, some brown sugar instead.😉
Btw, the rest of your recipes I followed are just awesome!😊
Bebs says
The salt is always adjustable according to your taste, so go ahead. But remember that there is a lot of liquids to the marinade so the salt does not all go to the meat itself, but will be discarded later on.
Julie says
Pls add brown sugar to the marinade recipe thanks
Bebs says
Sure you can, Julie, if you like it really sweet, but the lemon soda and banana ketchup plus the sugar in the basting sauce is sweet enough for us and some people. But this can always be adjusted.
Julie says
Sorry I meant to say you didn’t add the 2 tbsp of brown sugar in this recipe for the marinade since I saw that you added it in your video. You added brown sugar for the marinade and for the basting. Thanks 😊
Bebs says
I see but it is in the instruction to add the sugar (brown sugar in this case) on step 4 😊
Milette says
Made this tonight and my kids like so much they asked me to make it tmrw again... ty for sharing your recipes.
Bebs says
That is great, Milette! Glad the kids like it that much!
Shaz says
Excited to try your recipe. Just wanted to let you know though that the two tbs of brown sugar is missing in your written recipe. I saw that you put it on your video though.
Bebs says
Thanks for catching that one, Shaz, it is fixed now.
Peter says
Love it and liked it
Bebs says
You are welcome.
James Strange says
It's been a long time since I had these beside the road with the jeepneys driving by.