10+ Adobo Recipes You’ll Love for Every Occasion

10+ Adobo Recipes You’ll Love for Every Occasion

ByCook Fanatic Team Reading Time: 8 minutes

Adobo is a beloved dish in many cultures, especially in Filipino cuisine. This dish features meat marinated in a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce, and spices, creating a rich and savory flavor. You will discover a variety of adobo recipes that highlight different meats and cooking styles, making it easy to find one that suits your taste.

A steaming pot of adobo simmering on a stove, surrounded by ingredients like garlic, bay leaves, and vinegar

Whether you’re a beginner cook or someone with more experience, adobo recipes are generally simple to follow. They often require minimal ingredients and provide maximum flavor, making them a great choice for any meal.

You can enjoy this dish with rice or vegetables, and it’s perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.

1) Classic Filipino Chicken Adobo

A bubbling pot of chicken adobo simmering in a savory soy sauce and vinegar marinade, surrounded by garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns

Classic Filipino Chicken Adobo is a flavorful dish that is simple to make. It features chicken pieces marinated in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and peppercorns. The combination gives it a delicious salty and tangy taste.

You will love how the meat becomes tender after simmering. As it cooks, the sauce thickens and creates a rich glaze. Serve this dish over warm rice to enjoy every drop.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken pieces
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1 head garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water

Cooking Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and peppercorns for 30 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat.
  3. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned.
  4. Pour in the marinade and water, then add bay leaves.
  5. Simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender.

2) Tangy Pork Adobo with Pineapple

A sizzling skillet of tangy pork adobo with chunks of pineapple, surrounded by colorful ingredients like garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns

Tangy Pork Adobo with Pineapple is a delightful blend of flavors. The sweetness of the pineapple balances the savory and tangy notes from the vinegar and soy sauce. This dish is both comforting and refreshing.

To start, you’ll want to sear your pork until it’s nicely browned. Adding pineapple juice and vinegar enhances the flavor, making it unique. Let it simmer until the pork is tender for the best results.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs pork (shoulder or belly), cut into cubes
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pineapple chunks (optional)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat a pot over medium-high heat.
  2. Add pork cubes and sear until browned.
  3. Stir in garlic and onion, cooking until softened.
  4. Pour in pineapple juice, vinegar, and soy sauce.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
  7. Add pineapple chunks if desired, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

3) Vegan Adobo with Tofu

A steaming pot of tofu adobo surrounded by fresh garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns on a wooden kitchen counter

Vegan adobo with tofu is a flavorful dish that captures the essence of traditional adobo. You can enjoy this dish with rice for a complete meal.

Start by marinating the tofu in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices. This gives it a nice tangy flavor.

Then, pan-fry the tofu until it’s golden brown. After that, simmer it in the marinade for a tasty finish.

This recipe is quick and can be ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 block firm tofu
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon bay leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture.
  2. Cut the tofu into cubes.
  3. Marinate tofu in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and spices for 15 minutes.
  4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
  5. Pan-fry tofu until golden brown.
  6. Pour in the marinade and simmer for 10 minutes.
  7. Serve with rice. Enjoy!

4) Adobo with Coconut Milk Twist

A simmering pot of adobo with coconut milk, surrounded by ingredients like garlic, vinegar, and bay leaves

Adobo with coconut milk, also known as Adobo sa Gata, adds a creamy flavor to the classic dish. This version keeps the rich taste of traditional adobo, enhanced with the sweetness of coconut.

You will start by marinating chicken in vinegar, soy sauce, and spices. Then, cook the chicken until tender. Finally, stir in coconut milk and let it simmer to create a thick sauce.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp black peppercorns
  • 1 onion, sliced

Cooking Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Heat a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned.
  4. Pour in coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
  5. Cook for 30 minutes until the sauce thickens.

5) Spicy Chicken Adobo with Peppercorns

A sizzling skillet of chicken adobo with peppercorns, surrounded by vibrant herbs and spices

Spicy Chicken Adobo is a classic Filipino dish that packs a flavorful punch. The blend of soy sauce, vinegar, and spices makes it a favorite for many. Peppercorns add a nice hint of heat, making every bite exciting.

To start, marinate your chicken thighs in soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar. After marinating, sear the chicken in a pan for extra flavor. Then, simmer it slowly with water, peppercorns, and bay leaves until tender.

This dish is best served with steamed rice, which balances the flavors perfectly. You’ll love the tender chicken and the savory sauce!

Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ pounds chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons whole black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Marinate the chicken with soy sauce, garlic, and vinegar for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and sear the chicken until golden.
  3. Add water, peppercorns, and bay leaves.
  4. Simmer for about 40 minutes or until chicken is tender.
  5. Serve with rice.

6) Slow Cooker Beef Adobo

A slow cooker filled with simmering beef adobo, surrounded by garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns

Slow Cooker Beef Adobo is a delicious and simple dish. You will love how the flavors blend together as the beef cooks slowly. This method makes the meat tender and flavorful.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need beef short ribs, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. These items create a rich sauce that enhances the beef.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds beef short ribs
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. Place the beef short ribs in the slow cooker.
  2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper.
  3. Pour the mixture over the beef.
  4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (about 160°F to 175°F or 70°C to 80°C).
  5. Serve hot over rice for a complete meal.

7) Sweet and Savory Chicken Adobo

A sizzling skillet with tender chicken thighs simmering in a rich, caramelized sauce, surrounded by aromatic garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns

Sweet and savory chicken adobo is a delicious twist on the classic Filipino dish. You’ll enjoy the blend of flavors from soy sauce, vinegar, and a hint of sweetness. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a family meal.

To start, gather your ingredients to ensure you have everything ready. Marinating the chicken helps it absorb the rich flavors. As it cooks, the sauce thickens, creating a glaze that coats the chicken beautifully.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken in soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and pepper for at least one hour.
  2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
  3. Add the marinated chicken, including the marinade and bay leaf.
  4. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F or 74°C). Serve and enjoy!

8) Garlic Infused Pork Adobo

A sizzling skillet of pork adobo with garlic cloves, soy sauce, and vinegar simmering in a fragrant sauce

Garlic Infused Pork Adobo is a flavorful twist on the classic dish. The strong aroma and taste of garlic add depth to the tender pork, making it irresistible.

For this recipe, you will need pork belly or shoulder. The combination of soy sauce and vinegar gives it a savory and slightly tangy flavor.

You will also add a generous amount of crushed garlic to bring out the best in this dish. As it cooks, the garlic will become soft and meld into the sauce.

Ingredients

  • 800 g pork belly or shoulder
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • 20 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 slice ginger
  • 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
  • 5 bay leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add garlic and cook until golden.
  3. Add the pork and brown on all sides.
  4. Pour in soy sauce and vinegar.
  5. Add ginger, black peppercorns, and bay leaves.
  6. Cover and simmer for about 40 minutes at 350°F (175°C).

9) Adobo Flavored Fried Rice

A sizzling wok of fried rice with chunks of adobo meat, garlic, and soy sauce, surrounded by a colorful array of fresh vegetables and herbs

Adobo flavored fried rice is a tasty way to use leftover adobo meat. This dish is quick to prepare and makes a satisfying meal or side.

Start with day-old rice for the best texture. Using leftover chicken or pork adobo adds rich flavor. You can whip this up in about 10 to 15 minutes.

To make it, heat your oil in a skillet, then sauté garlic until fragrant. Add the rice and adobo meat, mixing well. Season with soy sauce for extra taste.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked, day-old rice
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 to 1½ cups leftover chicken or pork adobo, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Cooking Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
  2. Sauté minced garlic until golden.
  3. Add the cooked rice, mixing well.
  4. Stir in the chopped adobo meat.
  5. Pour in the soy sauce and mix until heated through.

10) One-Pot Adobo Pasta

A steaming pot of pasta simmering in savory adobo sauce with garlic, bay leaves, and tender chunks of marinated meat

One-Pot Adobo Pasta combines the flavors of traditional adobo with pasta for a quick and delicious meal. You’ll enjoy the savory and slightly tangy taste in every forkful. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights.

To make it, you’ll need just a few ingredients. Cook your pasta in one pot, and then add chicken, adobo sauce, and some greens. The sauce coats the pasta well, bringing all the flavors together.

You can prepare this meal in about 30 minutes. It’s simple and satisfying, making it a great option for all.

Ingredients

  • 10 oz dry pasta
  • 1 large chicken breast
  • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons adobo sauce
  • 1 large handful of fresh spinach
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
  2. In the same pot, add the chicken and brown it for about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the adobo sauce and cook for another 5 minutes.
  4. Add the spinach and mix until wilted.
  5. Combine everything well and serve hot.

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