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Adobo sauce served with grilled chicken and rice
Authentic Filipino Adobo sauce recipe

Filipino Adobo Sauce

Author: Flavelo
Sauces and Gravies Recipes Main Courses
'Adobo' is not just a dish but a cooking technique in the Philippines: meat braised in an acidic medium (vinegar), flavored with garlic, pepper, and bay leaves. This sauce is the extract of that flavor profile. Its distinctive taste comes from the balance between the salty 'umami' bomb of soy sauce and the sharp tang of vinegar, rounded out by garlic. It is important to let the vinegar 'cook off' so it isn't harshly sour.
🕒 Prep Time 10 mins
🍳 Cook Time 25 mins
⌛ Total Time 35 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 185 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Filipino

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Skillet
  • Garlic press or knife
  • Wooden spoon

Allergen Information

⚠️ Soy
⚠️ Wheat

Instructions

1 ✓

Smash the garlic with the flat side of a knife, then roughly chop.

Tip: Smashing releases flavor compounds from the garlic cells. (Cell wall breakdown).
2 ✓

Heat the oil and fry the garlic until golden. Be careful not to burn it!

Tip: Frying the garlic provides a nutty base flavor. (Maillard reaction).
3 ✓

Pour in the soy sauce, vinegar, and water. Toss in the bay leaves, peppercorns, and sugar.

Tip: Do not stir immediately after adding vinegar! Let some of the acetic acid evaporate. (Volatile acids escaping).
4 ✓

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and flavors meld.

Tip: Reduction concentrates flavors as water evaporates.
5 ✓

Fish out the bay leaves and serve with grilled chicken, pork, and steamed rice.

Tip: Bay leaves can become bitter after long soaking. (Tannin extraction).

Recipe FAQ

It's too salty.
Soy sauces vary in saltiness by brand. Add a little more sugar or water.
It tastes too vinegary.
You likely didn't cook it long enough or cooked it covered. Let it simmer uncovered so the harsh acid smell evaporates.
What vinegar should I use?
Originally cane or coconut vinegar, but rice vinegar or simple apple cider vinegar work perfectly too.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 cup Rice Vinegar (or Apple Cider Vinegar)
  • 5 cloves Garlic
  • 2 whole Dried Bay Leaves
  • 1 tsp Whole Black Peppercorns
  • 3/4 cup Water
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil