Paksiw na Pata
Filipino Braised Pork Leg
A classic Filipino dish featuring tender, fall-off-the-bone pork leg braised in a savory-sweet and tangy sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, and brown sugar. The slow simmering process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and deeply satisfying meal, often served with steamed rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Pork leg (pata) or hocks(Choose a piece with a good amount of meat and some fat for tenderness. You can ask your butcher to cut it into 2-3 inch thick pieces.)
- 125 ml Soy sauce(Use regular soy sauce, not light or dark, unless specified by preference.)
- 125 ml Vinegar(Cane vinegar or white vinegar are traditional. Avoid balsamic or strongly flavored vinegars.)
- 4 tbsp Brown sugar(Adjust to your preferred sweetness. Light or dark brown sugar can be used.)
- 1 medium Banana blossoms(Fresh or canned. If using fresh, trim outer tough leaves and slice thinly. If canned, drain and rinse.)
- 4 cloves Garlic(Minced or crushed.)
- 1 tsp Black peppercorns(Whole.)
- 250 ml Water(Or enough to mostly cover the pork.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pork: Rinse the pork leg pieces under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. If they are large, you can cut them into more manageable chunks.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Combine braising liquid: In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven large enough to hold the pork, combine the soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and whole black peppercorns. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Add pork and water: Add the pork pieces to the pot. Pour in the water, ensuring the liquid comes about two-thirds of the way up the sides of the pork. Do not stir at this point.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Initial boil: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the liquid to a rolling boil. Allow it to boil uncovered for about 10 minutes. This initial boil helps to tenderize the meat and start the braising process. You will notice the aroma of the soy and vinegar intensifying.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Simmer and braise: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let the pork simmer gently. Braise for at least 2 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender and the meat is easily pierced with a fork. Check occasionally and add a splash more water if the liquid reduces too much.
⏱️ 2 hours - 6
Add banana blossoms: Once the pork is tender, stir in the prepared banana blossoms. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the blossoms to soften and absorb the flavors, and for the sauce to thicken slightly to a syrupy consistency.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 7
Rest and serve: Remove the pot from the heat and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld further. Serve the Paksiw na Pata hot, spooning the rich sauce over the tender pork and steamed white rice.
⏱️ 10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Resist the urge to stir the pot during the initial boiling phase. This is believed to prevent the vinegar from becoming too sharp.
- ✓The sauce should reduce and thicken to a glossy, syrupy consistency by the end of cooking. If it's too thin, you can simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
- ✓Paksiw na Pata is excellent served with plain steamed white rice, which perfectly complements the rich, savory-sweet sauce.
- ✓The dish often tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a more complete dish, include pork ears and tail along with the pata.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes or a fresh chili pepper during the simmering stage for a spicier version.
- Some recipes include bay leaves or a touch of fish sauce for added umami.