Go Back
Pork Tocino
Print Recipe
4.41 from 5 votes

How To Make Pork Tocino (Sweet Cured Pork)

Learn how to make delicious and healthy pork tocino with this easy homemade recipe. No preservatives, just natural ingredients for a classic Filipino dish.
Prep Time3 days
Cook Time6 minutes
Total Time3 days 6 minutes
Course: Pork Recipe
Cuisine: Filipino
Keyword: fried pork recipe, pork recipe, pork tocino, sweet cured pork, tocino
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 445kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

  • 1/2 kilo pork shoulder or kasim slice into 1/4 inch thick
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp red food coloring or annatto powder
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/8 cup pineapple juice optional
  • 1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions

How To Make Pork Tocino (Sweet Cured Pork):

  • Combine the ingredients: brown sugar, food coloring, soy sauce, garlic, pinepple juice and salt in a mixing bowl.
  • Put the sliced pork in the bowl and rub the mixture liberally on all sides of the pork.
  • You can either use a zip bag and put all the pork and mixture or in a tupperware container for curing the pork.
  • Put inside a refrigerator and cure for 2 to 3 days.
  • After curing the pork, you can either fry or grill it. Heat at least 4 tablespoons of cooking oil.
  • Fry the tocino at least 3 minutes on each sides until browned on medium to high heat or until cooked.
  • Don't overcook because it will become too dry and tough.
  • Serve with fried egg and fried rice or java rice

Video

Watch the Video on How to Make Pork Tocino:

Notes

Cooking Tips:

Balance the Sweetness

When making tocino at home, it's important to balance the sweetness to avoid overpowering the natural flavor of the pork. Adjust the amount of sugar in the marinade based on your taste preference, and consider using natural sweeteners like honey or coconut sugar for a healthier twist. Taste the marinade before adding the meat to ensure it has the right balance of sweet and savory.

Don’t Rush the Curing Process

Patience is key when curing the meat, as this step allows the flavors to fully develop and penetrate the pork. Let the pork cure in the refrigerator for at least two to three days to achieve the best results. Skipping this step or shortening the curing time can lead to a less flavorful and less tender tocino.

Cook Over Medium Heat for Tender Meat

To prevent the tocino from becoming dry and tough, cook it over medium heat rather than high heat. This allows the pork to cook through evenly while the sugars in the marinade caramelize perfectly, creating a delicious crust without burning. If the heat is too high, the outside may burn before the inside is fully cooked, leading to a less desirable texture.