Pork Embutido is a Filipino-style meatloaf made with a festive mixture of ground pork, carrots, and raisins wrapped around slices of eggs and sausage. Steamed to perfection, they're great for everyday dinner meals as well as special occasions. And freezable, too!
I have tweaked my pork embutido recipe many times over the years, experimenting and trying different additions (here's looking at you, liver spread) until I finally arrived at that sweet spot of flavor and texture I've been looking for. If I may, ahem, say so myself, my version of embutido is always a party hit and a frequent request of family and friends. ๐
What is Embutido
Embutido is a Filipino-style meatloaf made with ground pork, chicken or beef, shredded carrots, crushed pineapple or sweet pickle relish, and raisins. The meat mixture is rolled around hard-boiled eggs and sausage into a cylindrical log and wrapped tightly in foil.
The foil-wrapped loaf is then steamed or baked in a water bath until cooked through and set. They can be served cold or lightly fried until golden brown.
Ingredient notes
- Don't skip browning the onions! This step caramelizes the onions, drawing out their natural sweetness.
- I like the fruity sweetness of canned crushed pineapples but feel free to substitute sweet pickle relish if you like.
- If banana ketchup is unavailable, you can use tomato sauce or ketchup.ย
- You can add finely chopped red or green bell peppers and shredded carrots for color, texture, and extra nutrition.
- You can also add shredded cheese if you want a touch of savory and creaminess.
- I use Vienna sausage for the stuffing, but Filipino hot dogs, Chinese sausage, and ham or luncheon meat strips will work, too.
Quick tips
- I use beaten eggs as a binder and skip the bread crumbs as I don't like adding extenders and I find the embutido will hold its shape without them. Stirring the mixture together releases the beef's myosin, which helps it stick together.
- Make sure the meat is fully thawed, and canned ingredients such as crushed pineapples are well-drained, as the extra moisture might affect the loaf consistency.
- Let the steamed meatloaves stand for about 10 minutes before opening the foil for the juices to redistribute, keeping the loaf moist.
- Cool completely before frying and slicing so it won't fall apart.
Storage and reheating instructions
Embutido is usually reserved for holidays or fiestas due to its somewhat elaborate prep process, but I see no reason why you have to wait for a special occasion to make them. Not only can you easily double (or triple) the recipe, the steamed loaves will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months and can be easily reheated for a quick meal.
Once or twice a month, I roll up my sleeves, roll up a dozen meatloaves, and store them in the freezer to have handy when the craving hits. Keeping a steady supply in the freezer has saved me from worrying about dinner on busy weeknights or when I have unexpected guests. I thaw the loaves overnight in the fridge and pan-fry in hot oil until lightly browned and completely heated.
Serving suggestions
You can never go wrong with a few pork rolls in the fridge! Pair them with rice and banana ketchup or sweet chili sauce for a satisfying dinner or sandwich between pandesal for a quick mid-afternoon snack.
More party recipes
Ingredients
- canola oil
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 ยฝ pounds ground pork
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
- ยผ cup raisins
- ยผ cup banana ketchup
- 3 eggs, well-beaten
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
For Filling
- 3 eggs, hardboiled, peeled and quartered
- 3 pieces vienna sausages, cut into four lengthwise
Equipment
- baking dish
- rack
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F.
- In a pan over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil. Add onions and cook until softened. Remove from pan and allow to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine ground pork, crushed pineapple, carrots, sauteed onions, raisins, ketchup, beaten eggs, salt and pepper. Mix well until evenly distributed.
- On the center of a 12-inch aluminum foil, spread โ of the pork mixture creating a rectangular shape.
- Arrange sliced eggs and Vienna sausages in the middle of pork mixture.
- Carefully roll mixture to form a log of about 3-inch in diameter. Wrap the foil around the meat and crimp ends of foil to seal tightly. Double wrap roll with foil. Repeat with remaining pork mixture.
- In a roasting pan, add about 2 inches of water. Arrange foil-wrapped pork mixture on a roasting rack and position rack on top of the water-filled pan.
- Bake in the oven for about 50 to 60 minutes or a thermometer inserted in the center reads 160 F.
- Remove from the heat and let stand for about 8 to 10 minutes before opening the foil.ย Cool completely before frying.
- In a pan, heat about 1 inch deep of oil. Add embutido and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides.
- Let stand for about 3 to 5 minutes before slicing into desired thickness. Serve hot.
Notes
- I use beaten eggs as a binder and skip the bread crumbs as I don't like adding extenders and I find the embutido will hold its shape without them. Stirring the mixture together releases the beef's myosin, which helps it stick together.
- Make sure the meat is fully thawed, and canned ingredients such as crushed pineapples are well-drained, as the extra moisture might affect the loaf consistency.
- Let the steamed meatloaves stand for about 10 minutes before opening the foil for the juices to redistribute, keeping the loaf moist.
- Cool completely before frying and slicing so it won't fall apart.
Video
Nutrition Information
โThis 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.โ
Dhoris Taneo says
hello! how long po pede sya i-steam?
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, pwede po ๐
mary rose says
i will try this one! ๐
Lalaine Manalo says
Don't forget to let us know how it goes!
Catherine Panopio says
Paano po maiiwasan na maging dry yung embutido? I tried cooking at nung hiniwa ko na, malasa naman po pero dry sng texture niya sa dila..
Ceci says
Can I skip the sausage? May I substitute chorizo de Bilbao or Chinese sausage?
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, you can ๐
Julie says
Can I heat it up in the microwave instead of frying before serving?
Lalaine Manalo says
You can skip frying as the meatloaf is already cooked. You can heat it up in the microwave if you like.
Julie says
Do I have to fry embutido before serving or microwave will work too?
Melissa Lopez says
Hello,thank you for your delicious recipes,i've tried many of those and im glad i discovered you,in making embutido if a use steamer instead of oven,how long.thank you and keep safe.Happy cooking๐
Mauro A Discellarico says
You can also use maling luncheon meat instead of sausage or hotdog. ๐
Heizel says
Hi! Did you use fresh pineapple fruit or the canned pineapple?
Lalaine Manalo says
Canned pineapple, crushed ๐
Kate says
Hi, Lalaine! I want to try your embutido recipe but I dont have banana ketchup here in our place. Will it taste good din ba if I just use tomato sauce or tomato ketchup? Thank you!!
Chandra says
Im going to try this recipe ๐. Kung double batch po ilang oras ko po dapat iluluto sa oven. Salamat po.
Liza says
Hi Ms. Lalaine,
Good day. Thank you for the embotido recipe. I've tried before different recipes of embutido masarap at yet my family and friends love it. But for my personal taste parang kulang and nagsasawa ako. But sa recipe mo after I read it and watch it for sure this is the perfect embutido ๐ God bless.
Lalaine Manalo says
Thank you for the 5-stars! I am glad you like the recipe ๐
Mary Leaf Soriano says
Hi Lalaine,
Instead of using 3 whole eggs for this recipe, how about using all egg whites? Would it be an effective binder? My mother is trying to cut off on cholesterolific foods.
Lyn says
Looks good,wana try this one but i dont have oven ;(
Lalaine Manalo says
You can steam the embutido also ๐
ricky says
Hello Mam Lalaine.
How many minutes is the wait time for steaming the embutido?
Cess says
Can I substitute Chinese sausage for Vienna sausage?
Lalaine Manalo says
Hello, Cess,
I wouldn't recommend using Chinese sausage as from my experience, they render a little bit of fat when cooked or reheated and that might affect the overall taste and texture of the embutido. I suggest using hot dogs instead.
Carla says
Hi,
Ask ko lang po which vienna sausage did you used for this one, is it those ones that in cans that we have in philippines? Or a proper vienna sausage? Thank you.
Lalaine Manalo says
Yun naka can lang ang ginagamit ko ๐