Binagoongan Baboy sa Gata

Get ready to rock your tastebuds! Binagoongan Baboy sa Gata is a hearty, boldly flavored dish that's sure to be a family favorite. Made with pork belly stewed in coconut milk, shrimp paste, and chili peppers, it's creamy, tasty, and perfect with steamed rice.

Do you remember when I said if there's one recipe here on Kawaling Pinoy you should try, it should be the ginataang talong? Well, folks, make that two because this binagoongan baboy sa gata is about to rock your taste buds.

It was my best friend's birthday two Saturdays ago, and I went to San Diego bright and early that day to help cook and prepare for the simple celebration she was having at home. You know how Filipino parties go, a simple celebration usually means the whole neighborhood and a whole lot of food! She had two long tables overflowing with all sorts of Filipino favorites.

To add to the kare-kare, orange chicken, BBQ pork, grilled seafood, and whatnot her family prepared, I also made pancit palabok, baked macaroni, and buko pandan. Out of all the dishes to choose from, however, what stood out for me was the binagoonan baboy sa gata the birthday celebrant herself cooked. I couldn't get enough of the tender pork swimming in a rich coconut sauce; I made multiple trips to the buffet table to replenish my plate.

I've made pork binagoongan more times than I can count, but I never knew before her party that you could make it with coconut milk. I've definitely made up for lost time, as I’ve cooked the dish at least three times since my delicious discovery.

The two dishes are actually very similar in preparation and ingredients. Cubed pork belly is first sauteed in onions, garlic, tomatoes, and shrimp paste until nicely browned and then finished off in coconut milk and chili peppers until fork tender. The resulting creamy sauce is pure heaven spooned over steamed rice!

Ingredient notes

• Pork- You can swap the belly with a leaner cut, such as pork shoulder, to trim the calories and fat.
• Shrimp paste- I use ginisang bagoong, which has a tamer "fishy taste." If using raw bagoong, saute it a few minutes longer until nicely browned.
• Chili peppers- the recipe uses Thai chili peppers, which are pretty spicy. You can substitute finger chilis or siling haba, which has a milder heat.

Serving suggestions

Serve this creamy binagoongan as a main dish for lunch or dinner with steamed rice and fried eggplants on the side.

Storing leftovers

• Due to the coconut milk, this pork stew doesn't keep well outside of refrigeration, especially during warmer weather. Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• You can also freeze it for up to months, but expect some change in texture as the sauce might separate during thawing. It will still be safe to eat, but it might turn grainy.

More creamy pork stew recipes

Bicol Express is pure comfort food! With pork cubes cooked in coconut milk and chili peppers, it's rich, creamy, spicy and delicious. Serve with steamed rice for a hearty and big flavored meal!

Get Recipe

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @kawalingpinoy on Facebook and Instagram!

4.80 from 5 votes

Binagoongan Baboy sa Gata

Binagoongan Baboy sa Gata with pork belly stewed in coconut milk, shrimp paste, and chili peppers. It's a hearty, boldly flavored dish that’s perfect with steamed rice.

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Author: Lalaine Manalo

Course: Main Entree

Print Pin It Email Recipe

6 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 onion, peeled and chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 pounds pork belly, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons sauteed shrimp paste
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 can (13 ounces) coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 6 Thai chili peppers, stemmed and minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

• In a wide pan or skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened. 
• Add pork and cook until lightly browned.
• Add tomatoes and cook, mashing with the back of the spoon, until softened.
• Add shrimp paste and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add vinegar and allow to a boil, uncovered and without stirring, for about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add coconut milk, water, chili peppers, and sugar.
• Lower heat, cover, and simmer until it begins to render fat and pork is fork-tender.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Notes

• Freeze the pork belly until partially firm to make slicing easier. Make sure the pieces are in uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
• I use sauteed shrimp paste with a tamer "fishy taste." If using raw bagoong, saute it a few minutes longer until nicely browned.
• The vinegar will help balance the strong flavors of the dish. Once added to the pan, boil it uncovered and without stirring until mostly absorbed to cook off the acidity.
• To ensure a smooth sauce, simmer, and do NOT allow the coconut milk to a rolling boil lest it curdles and separates.

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 963kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 96g, Saturated Fat: 41g, Cholesterol: 165mg, Sodium: 236mg, Potassium: 511mg, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 225IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 48mg, Iron: 3.4mg

“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.”