Pork Tocino is a popular Filipino dish typically made from thinly sliced pork meat marinated in sugar, salt, garlic, soy sauce, and coloring. It is then fried until caramelized and slightly charred, resulting in a sweet and savory flavor.
You may also like my Chicken Tocino Recipe, Lemongrass Vietnamese Salad, and Instant Pot Vietnamese Skewers.
What is Pork Tocino
Pork tocino is a versatile dish served for breakfast and as a main course for lunch or dinner. It’s often paired with a side of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, or atchara (pickled papaya) to balance out its sweetness. Overall, it’s a beloved dish showcasing Filipino cuisine’s unique flavors.
Origin of Pork Tocino
While originally from Spain, tocino in the Philippines has developed unique flavors and preparation methods. Tocino is typically served for breakfast in the Philippines, paired with garlic fried rice (sinangag) and eggs (itlog), creating a dish known as “tocilog.” It can also be enjoyed with sliced tomatoes or a vinegar dipping sauce.
What is Tocino in English
English cuisine has similarly cured and sweetened pork dishes like candied bacon or honey-glazed ham that can be likened to tocino.
What is Pork Tocino Made of?
Ingredients:
- Pork Meat thinly sliced
Marinade
The marinade usually includes sugar to give it a sweet flavor and a reddish color, often achieved using food coloring or beetroot juice. The pork slices are left to marinate for twenty-four hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat thoroughly.
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Pineapple Juice
- Garlic, minced
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Red food coloring (optional for color
How to Prepare Pork tocino
Marinating
After marinating, the tocino is typically pan-fried until caramelized and slightly charred, giving it a deliciously sticky and flavorful coating. It is enjoyed for its tender texture and sweet-savory taste, making it a favorite comfort food for many Filipinos.
- Place the marinade in a small bowl and mix until the sugar is dissolved. Put the pork meat cuts into a bowl and pour the marinade. Mix thoroughly, ensuring that the meat is coated.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the meat. Marinate it for twenty-four hours before cooking or before freezing. If you opt to freeze the pork tocino, put it in a ziploc and label it.
How to Cook in the Air Fryer Stovetop or Air Fryer
- Stovetop– When you are ready to cook the Tocino, drain the excess liquid. Heat cooking oil and fry the tocino until charred.
- Air Fryer-Place the air fryer tray in the Instant Pot base. Spray with nonstick oil. Place the marinated chicken thigh and spray with nonstick oil. Cover using the Instant Pot lid. Set the temperature to 390°F and set the time to six to ten minutes. Turn the meat as required.
How to Store
- If you have leftover marinated pork tocino, leave it in the fridge for twenty-four hours. This will absorb the marinade well and bag it for freezing.
- If you want to store it for an extended period, you can freeze the marinated pork tocino in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to six months.
- Cooked tocino can also be stored in the fridge for three days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove before serving.
Best Pork Tocino Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot Duo Crisp Plus Air Fryer 8 quart
- 1 frying pan
- 1 tong
- 1 Bowl for marinating
- Ziploc if you decide to freeze the Pork Tocino
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Pork Shoulder, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup canola oil for frying stove top
- A Nonstick spray for cooking in the Instant Pot
Marinade
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp Ground Pepper
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 4 cloves Minced garlic
- 3 oz Pineapple Juice
- 2 tbsp Anisette Liqueur
- 1 tsp Soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp Red Food Color
Instructions
- Mix the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Season this according to your liking. You can make it saltier or sweeter. The image on the right is the Anisette Liqueur. You can buy it in the Liquor Store.
- Put the sliced pork into a large bowl and pour the marinade ingredient into it. Mix thoroughly to coat the meat.
- Cover the pork mixture and refrigerate for twenty-four hours.
Cook the Tocino Stovetop
- After marinating, drain the excess liquid. Heat the cooking oil and fry the pork tocino until charred and caramelized. Serve it with garlic fried rice. Please see the notes for the link.
How to Cook the Pork Tocino in the Air Fryer
- Set the inner pot to the Instant Pot base. Put the air fryer basket and arrange the steamer tray. Spray the tray with nonstick oil. Drain the meat's excess liquid and arrange them for air frying.
- Cover the Instant Pot with the air fryer lid.
- Push the air fryer setting button, set the temperature to 390 F, and set the timer to six to ten minutes.
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