Pata Hamonado with fork-tender pork leg and a sweet and savory pineapple sauce is sure to be a family favorite. Serve with steamed rice for the ultimate comfort food!
I first published this pata hamonado in 2014 and am updating it today with new photos and tips. If you prefer pork belly instead of pork leg, check out this pork hamonado version. The procedure is the same; the only change would be the cooking time, as we're using a different cut of meat.
What is Hamonado
Hamonado refers to a type of Filipino cooking where meat is marinated or cooked with pineapple. Fatty pork, chicken, or beef cuts are first seared in hot oil until lightly browned and then braised in pineapple juice along with soy sauce, brown sugar, and aromatics such as onions, garlic, and peppercorns to round off flavors.
Other regional versions of the dish may also include tomato sauce, banana ketchup, raisins, carrots, and/or hot dogs.
Ingredient notes
- Pork- you can use whole pork leg for better presentation, but to speed up cooking time, I suggest having the butcher cut the meat into about 2-inch thickness.
- Pineapples- as the liquid in the can is what's used to braise the meat, make sure the pineapple chunks are packed in juice and not heavy syrup, which is too sweet and lacks the sour notes needed to balance the sweet and salty flavors.
- Vinegar- add about ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to boost the tanginess of the pineapple juice; let boil uncovered and without stirring to mellow out the acid taste. You can substitute palm vinegar.
- Sugar- preferably use brown sugar, and not white, as it has a slightly less concentrated sweetness and contains molasses, enhancing the hamonado sauce's rich flavor.
Tips for best results
- Don't skip browning the pork. Searing over high heat caramelizes the surface of the meat and adds incredible flavor.
- Don't cover and stir for a few minutes when boiling the vinegar to cook off the strong acid taste.
- Don't rush. Cook low and slow to allow the fat to render and the tough, connective tissues to soften to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Serving suggestions
Give this hamonado recipe a try for dinner tonight. It's not exactly waist-friendly, what with its thick caps of pork skin and fat but that rich sweet, tangy, and savory sauce alone drizzled on piping-hot steamed rice is worth the fat pants.
Serve with steamed rice for a hearty and delicious meal that's sure to hit the spot!
Storage and reheating instructions
- Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Due to high collagen from the pork skin, the sauce will congeal when cold.
- Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat to 165 F or microwave at 2 to 3-minute intervals, stirring well between intervals to distribute heat.
More pork recipes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 (about 3 pounds) whole pork leg, cut into 2-inch thick pieces
- 1 onion, peeled and sliced thinly
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup Pineapple chunks
Instructions
- In a wide, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, heat oil.
- Add pork in a single layer and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Turn and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes or until all sides are lightly browned.
- Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened.
- Add pineapple juice and vinegar. Allow to boil, uncovered and without stirring, for about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Add soy sauce, water, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Stir to distribute and bring to a boil, skimming scum that floats on top.
- Lower heat, cover and simmer for about 1 ½ to 2 hours or until pork is very tender and liquid is reduced.
- Add brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add pineapple chunks and stir to combine. Serve hot.
Notes
- Don't skip browning the pork. Searing over high heat caramelizes the surface of the meat and adds incredible flavor.
- Don't rush. Cook low and slow to allow the fat to render and the tough, connective tissues to soften to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Video
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Rain D says
This is a great recipe and I've made this quite a few times now. It's now one of my go to dishes when I'm entertaining.
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you for the 5-stars! I'm glad you like the recipe!
Miriam says
Awesome
Menchu says
Miss Lalaine. I love your dishes. I am a mom 60 yrs old and my passion is cooking. May i have all your dish recipes in your e cookbook please.
Nida V. Agustin says
Instead of replacing the garbanzos, i just added 1 sm. Pack of pork n beans.
Nida V. Agustin says
I havebtried pata tim n pork pochero, really they taste so yummy that even my grand kids loves to have me cook again!
Maridel says
Very nice
Richard Kost says
The recipe does not specify pork belly/skin on. My butcher sold me skin off belly. Is the recipe equally as successful without the skin?
Mrs. G says
Will cane vinegar work as an alternative to apple cider vinegar? Tia.
CES GALIGA says
Thank you for sharing this recipee. God bless
Chris says
Mam Lalaine can I aslo have a copy of your cookbook? i am learning to cook dishes. hopefully i can do it without recipe book na. thanks mam
Lalaine Manalo says
Hello Chris. Once you subscribe, the cookbook is sent to you automatically. Thank you.
dom says
how much it cost your cookbook mam and what's inside of it.
thanks
Susan Lim says
This my first time how to cook a pork hopefully you can send me a cook book recipe
Lalaine says
Do you have an email address I can send you to e-cookbook?
Marissa Cruzado says
Trying your pata hamonado, looking forward for a delicious viand 😋
Bonnie says
Hi!
Will it work in a slow cooker? If yes, do I just put all the ingredients together? Thanks!
Lalaine says
Yes, this will work in a slow cooker. Just sear the pork in a pan on high heat and then transfer to the crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients except for pineapples and brown sugar and cook on high for about 4 to 5 hours or until meat is fork tender. Stir in the sugar and pineapple chunks during the last 30 minutes of cook time. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.
Aleli jariol says
How about adding some saltire in it .
Lalaine says
I've never tried it with salitre. Let me know it turns out.
harry says
please specify weight of pork leg. my supermarket sells leg joint from 1-2.4 kg!
Lalaine says
Hello Harry,
I believe the pork leg I used was about 3 to 4 pounds so I'd say 1.5 kilos would be a good size.
Regina says
Hi! I am glad to find your blog. I am not really good at the kitchen but your posts and photos inspire me to at least "try" your recipes. Just a question, is this ok in a pressure cooker?
thanks and kudos!
Lalaine says
Yes, this will work perfectly in a pressure cooker! Will save you a lot of time 🙂
Gretta says
This looks delish! How long would you cook it for, in the pressure cooker?
Lalaine Manalo says
I haven't tried this in the pressure cooker but I think about 20 to 30 minutes should do it.
J says
Thanks a lot. Great big help at the time of home quarantine. God bless you more!
J