For pork sinigang, pork belly is the popular cut to use but pork shoulder, neckbone (butu-buto), tailbone (buntot) or spareribs may also be used. For this recipe, I used pork shoulder, a variety of vegetables and frozen unripe tamarind pods to flavor the broth. This soup is so easy to make. The pork is first boiled until tender and the vegetables are then added. The tamarind juice is added afterwards.
This sour and savory soup is a comforting dish for me when I was growing up. I loved coming home from school to a bowl of piping hot sinigang and a plate of steamed rice. 
Pork Sinigang
Ingredients
- 8 oz (227 g) package frozen unripe tamarind pods or 1 packet of tamarind seasoning mix
- 2 lb pork shoulder or skinless pork belly, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 12 cups water, divided
- 1 tbsp kosher salt plus more to taste
- 6 pieces taro roots, peeled and cut in halves
- 1 small daikon, peeled and sliced into ½-inch diagonal pieces
- 1 Chinese eggplant, sliced into ½ inch diagonal pieces
- 4 oz green beans, trimmed
- 1 tomato, cut into wedges
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 2 whole serrano peppers
- Steamed rice, for serving
- Fish sauce, for serving
Instructions
- If using tamarind pods, combine the tamarind and 2 cups water in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes or until the tamarind is soft. Using the back of a spoon, mashed the softened tamarind. Strain the juice into a bowl and set aside. Discard the seeds and shells.
- In a large pot, place the pork and 10 cups of water, if using tamarind pods or 12 cups of water if using seasoning mix. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Add salt, lower heat to medium and simmer covered for 1 hour or until pork is tender.
- Add the taro roots and cook for 5 minutes. Add the daikon, eggplant and green beans, and cook for 10 more minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the tamarind juice or seasoning mix, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the tomato, onion, spinach and peppers. Season to taste with salt.
- Serve with steamed rice and fish sauce on the side.
Nutrition
How do you keep your broth creamy white?
I used a mix and it turns brown.
Based on my experience, using tamarind pods instead of sinigang mix will make the broth creamy white. Hope this helps!
Hello, I was able to find tamarind puree at a store. Will this work? thank you.
Hi Clara,
I have not used tamarind puree for sinigangs but I am pretty sure it can be used. Soak the puree in hot water for an hour and then break them into small pieces. After that, let it soak again for couple of hours and finally strain the juice into a bowl. Hope these help!
Hi! Where do you find the frozen pods?
Hi Monique,
Here in Vancouver, Canada, I buy the frozen pods from Filipino stores or stores that carry Filipino items.
Hi we loved this recipe were glad that you use tamarind. Cause we are sensitive to msg
Thank you
Omigosh, I have been looking for a sinigang recipe which uses tamarind pods vs. the msg-laden seasoning mixes. We are sensitive to MSG and so happy you shared this! I remember learning how to make this when I visited some relatives in the PI. As an adult, it was a fond memory, but couldnt’ remember exactly how to make it. I can’t wait to try your recipe and so happy I came across your blog. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome Wendy! I used to make sinigang with the mix but now I use the frozen/fresh ones all the time.
Definitely omit the salt if you use the packet mix. It is a very good soup.
Thanks
NONG nakita ko ito hahaha biglang kumalam ang sikmura ko.. sarap naman niyang sinigang nayan.