Name: Pork Binagoongan
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 500 grams pork belly (cut into bite-sized pieces); ½ cup sautéed shrimp paste (store bought); 1 piece green chili pepper (cut into small pieces); 1 piece red chili pepper (cut into small pieces); 1 medium onion (sliced); 3 cloves garlic (chopped); 1 medium tomato (sliced); 1 large eggplant (cut lengthwise into 4 pcs. slice to 1 inch thick); 3 tbsp cooking oil; ¼ tsp salt (for seasoning); 1 cup water (add more if needed)

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Pork Binagoongan is super-easy to prepare that comes together in 30 minutes! Tender, tasty pork belly cooked in flavorful shrimp paste sauce. The eggplant and chili makes it more appetizing with a side of steamed rice!

I love cooking this for my husband because we both enjoy the flavor of bagoong plus the spiciness of the dish. It’s always included in my monthly rotation of dishes to make just like chicken inasal or when we have a get-together with friends. This recipe is so easy to make and doesn’t take up much time making it great for weeknight dinner.

What is Binagoongan

Binagoongan is a Filipino dish where veggies or meat is cooked in shrimp paste. It’s truly a tasty dish full of umami and savory flavors. This is a popular dish in the Philippines with variations like adding coconut milk or cooking it with vinegar. Other recipes make use of fresh bagoong alamang while some use pre-cooked shrimp paste in bottles.

Best bagoong to use

Choosing the right kind of shrimp paste or bagoong (yes, there are different types) can greatly affect the outcome of the dish. The bagoong alamang, which is raw and saltier, can be bought in wet markets in the Philippines. It needs to be cooked first in garlic, onion and sugar before using for binagoongan.

The commercially bottled bagoong, in my personal experience, is better. It’s usually marketed as bagoong guisado and is ready to use. This saves you time since the bagoong is pre-cooked and flavorful that helps building the taste of the dish.

How to make Binagoongan

Start preparing the vegetables like eggplant, green/red chili, garlic, and onion. Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat and fry eggplant until a bit wilted then transfer in a plate and set aside. Using the same pan and oil, Add pieces of pork belly and fry until browned and some fat have rendered. Remove pork from the pan and set aside.

Sauté garlic and onion in the same pan with pork fat then add tomato. Cook and lightly mash tomatoes to render juice and until wilted. Mix-in the cooked pork and cook for a few minutes. Pour in the shrimp paste and stir to coat the meat.

Add water the cover the pan with lid and simmer for 7-10 minutes or until pork is fork tender. Tip in the green chilis and stir then cover to simmer. Lastly, add the fried eggplant and stir in to distribute. Wait for 3-5 minutes and voila! It’s ready to serve. I highly recommend eating it with steamed rice.

Tips for Pork Binagoongan

When making Binagoongan, I usually use two different types of pork parts, pork belly (liempo) and/or spare ribs. Why the ribs? Because it makes the dish tastier and less fatty. But feel free to use what part you prefer.
Pre-cooked bagoong can be easily bought at Filipino or Asian stores near you. Taste for saltiness first in order adjust the dish accordingly.
Eggplant is normally added to this classic Filipino pork stew. Cut the vegetable into 1-inch thickness, pan-fry until tender and lightly browned, and add to the dish at the last minutes of cooking. You can also add string beans if you prefer.
Aside from pork, you can also try chicken or beef as protein of choice.

stew with rice in a plate with spoon and fork

How to serve and store

This pork binagoongan recipe is a tasty main course that a side steamed rice perfectly compliments it. Aside from the rice, slices of green mango or mango salad ensalada can do along with the dish.
Store leftovers, if any, in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

Pinakbet – a vegetable dish from the Philippines that can be served as an everyday dish or when you have company.
Binagoongan Rice – Serve it as a side with leftover vegetables mixed in, or serve it as a main dish with pork, chicken, and/or shrimp.
Bicol Express – Bicol Express with its tender pork cooked in coconut milk, shrimp paste, and chilies will bring in your appetite.