Description
This authentic Sinigang recipe delivers the perfect balance of sour, savory, and hearty flavors that define Filipino sour soup. Made with pork, shrimp, or fish, and packed with fresh vegetables like kangkong, okra, and radish, Sinigang is a comforting dish ideal for family meals or special gatherings. Learn how to prepare it with this easy step-by-step guide and variations.
Ingredients
Scale
For Pork Sinigang:
- 1 kg pork belly or ribs
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 6 cups water
- 1 pack tamarind soup base or 200g fresh tamarind pulp
- 1 medium radish, sliced
- 5 pieces okra, cut in halves
- 1 bunch kangkong (water spinach), leaves only
- 2–3 pieces long green chili
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Shrimp Sinigang:
- 500g shrimp, cleaned and deveined
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
- 6 cups water
- 1 pack tamarind soup base or fresh tamarind pulp
- 1 medium radish, sliced
- 5 pieces okra, cut in halves
- 1 bunch kangkong (water spinach), leaves only
- 2–3 pieces long green chili
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Pork Sinigang:
- Boil the pork: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add pork belly or ribs and cook for 45 minutes until tender. Skim off any scum that rises to the surface to keep the broth clear.
- Add aromatics: Add quartered onions and tomatoes to the pot and let them simmer for 5 minutes.
- Sour the broth: Stir in the tamarind soup base or fresh tamarind pulp and let it dissolve. Simmer for 10 minutes to infuse the sour flavor.
- Cook the vegetables: Add the sliced radish and halved okra. Let them cook until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Finish with seasoning: Add the long green chilies and kangkong leaves. Simmer for 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot: Serve your sinigang hot with steamed rice for a complete, comforting meal.
Shrimp Sinigang:
- Prepare the broth: In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add onions and tomatoes and let them simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add souring agent: Stir in the tamarind soup base or fresh tamarind pulp. Let the broth simmer for 10 minutes.
- Cook the vegetables: Add radish and okra, cooking until they soften.
- Cook the shrimp: Add cleaned shrimp and green chilies, cooking for about 5 minutes until the shrimp turns pink.
- Add the greens: Toss in kangkong leaves, then season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with rice.
Notes
Protein substitutions: You can easily swap out pork for fish or shrimp to create different sinigang variations. For a heartier soup, use beef short ribs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Filipino
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg