This pork salpicao proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients to make something incredible. Tender pork, crispy garlic, and a rich butter sauce make every bite better than the last.
If you’re looking for an easy but impressive dinner, this pork salpicao won’t disappoint.
This is my mom’s recipe, and it’s one of my favorite dishes she makes. The pork is incredibly tender and every piece is coated in a rich garlic butter sauce. The crispy garlic on top makes every bite even more flavorful.
I also love how easy it is. Marinate the pork for just 15 minutes, then let the skillet do the rest.
What Is Pork Salpicao?
Pork salpicao is a Filipino dish made with bite-sized pieces of pork cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce.
The flavor is savory, buttery, and loaded with garlic. The Worcestershire sauce adds a subtle tang, while the soy sauce and liquid seasoning bring umami. Crispy garlic on top adds even more flavor and crunch.
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Pork Bites
- Pork. Pork loin is the best cut for this recipe. It’s lean, cooks in just a few minutes, and stays so tender it almost eats like beef,.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy sauce. Regular soy sauce works perfectly, but use dark soy sauce if you want the pork and sauce to have a deeper golden brown color.
- Liquid seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic
- Butter
How to Make Pork Salpicao
1. Marinate the pork.
Combine the pork, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, liquid seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Massage the marinade into the pork until the meat has absorbed most of the liquid. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or overnight.
2. Brown the garlic.
Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, until golden brown.
3. Cook the pork.
Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the marinated pork in a single layer and cook until browned on all sides.
4. Remove the pork and reduce the sauce.
Once the pork releases its juices, transfer it to a plate. Leave the liquid in the skillet. Continue cooking the liquid until it reduces and the butter and oil begin to separate.
5. Finish the pork salpicao.
Return the pork to the skillet and toss for 1 to 2 minutes until evenly coated in the sauce. Be careful not to overcook the pork, or it will dry out.
6. Serve and enjoy!
Transfer the pork salpicao to a serving plate and garnish with parsley. Serve with rice and enjoy!
Tips for Tender Garlic Butter Pork Bites
- Reduce the sauce. Let the butter and cooking juices reduce until the oil separates before adding the pork back to the pan. This gives the sauce a richer flavor.
- Don’t overcook the pork. Pork loin cooks very quickly and only takes about 5 minutes total. Once it’s cooked through, take it off the heat to keep it tender and juicy.
- Add mushrooms. Sauté sliced mushrooms with the pork for extra flavor and a heartier dish.
- Try beef instead. If you love this pork salpicao recipe, try my Beef Salpicao for the classic version made with tender beef and the same buttery garlic sauce.
Storage Instructions
To Store: Let the pork cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Reheat the pork in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also microwave it in 30-second intervals until hot.
Try These Easy Dinner Recipes Next!
Instant Pot Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou)
Pork Salpicao Recipe (Filipino Garlic Butter Pork Bites)
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork loin cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce or 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons liquid seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 whole head garlic peeled and thinly sliced (about 10 to 12 cloves)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the pork, Worcestershire sauce, dark soy sauce, liquid seasoning, garlic powder, and pepper. Massage the marinade into the pork until the meat has absorbed most of the liquid. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight.
- Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring often, until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the pork in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until browned. Once the pork releases its juices, remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
- Continue cooking the remaining liquid until it reduces completely and the butter and oil separate, about 1 minute.
- Return the pork to the skillet and toss for 1 to 2 minutes until evenly coated in the sauce. Be careful not to overcook the pork, or it will dry out.
- Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve with rice. Enjoy!
