🐖 Pork Caldereta with Coconut Milk – Filipino Comfort Food with Creamy Twist

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A hearty, spicy-sweet Filipino stew made with pork ribs, creamy coconut milk, peanut butter, and vibrant vegetables. This Pork Caldereta is melt-in-your-mouth tender and perfect with a bowl of rice!

⏱️ Quick Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

  • Total Time: ~1.5 hours

  • Servings: 6

  • Skill Level: Intermediate

  • Cuisine Tags: Filipino • Comfort Food • Coconut-Based

🛒 Ingredients Checklist

  • 850g pork ribs

  • 350g pork belly (liempo)

  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

  • 1 medium carrot, sliced

  • 2 small onions, chopped

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 bell peppers, sliced

  • 4 bay leaves

  • 2 Tbsp peanut butter

  • 1 cup tomato sauce

  • 4 cups water, divided

  • 100ml coconut cream

  • 3 red chilies, sliced (optional for heat)

  • Fish sauce, to taste

  • Salt & pepper, to taste

  • Oil, for sautéing

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sear & Sauté

  • In a large pot, heat oil and sauté bell peppers for 1 minute. Remove and set aside.

  • Lightly fry potatoes and carrots until just tender (not fully cooked). Remove and set aside.

  • In the same pot, sauté garlic until golden. Add onions and cook until soft.

  • Stir in sliced red chilies (if using) for a quick heat kick.

2. Brown the Pork

  • Add pork ribs and pork belly to the pot. Stir-fry for 10 minutes until browned on all sides.

  • Season with fish sauce and ground black pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.

3. Simmer the Base

  • Pour in tomato sauce and cook for 3 minutes.

  • Add 2 cups water and bay leaves. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Tenderize & Build Flavor

  • Add the remaining 2 cups water and season with salt. Simmer until pork is tender (about 30 more minutes).

5. Finish with Creaminess

  • Stir in peanut butter until fully melted into the stew.

  • Add back the carrots and potatoes. Pour in the coconut cream.

  • Simmer for 5 minutes until everything is warm and flavors meld.

  • Return the bell peppers. Simmer briefly. Taste and adjust seasoning—add sugar to balance if desired.

💬 Why You’ll Love This Dish

This dish is a soul-warming blend of savory tomato, nutty peanut butter, and rich coconut cream—traditional caldereta with a creamy, tropical twist. I love how the tender pork just falls off the bone and soaks up every bit of that delicious sauce. It’s perfect for weekends, holidays, or when you need to feed a hungry crew with love and flavor.

🥥 Ingredient Tips & Swaps

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Pork ribs & belly A mix of textures—use all ribs or belly if preferred.
Coconut cream Adds richness; sub with full-fat coconut milk if needed.
Peanut butter Creamy is best; avoid sweetened versions. Use cashew butter for a twist.
Fish sauce Adds umami—use soy sauce for a vegetarian alternative.
Red chilies Optional! Add more or use long green chilies for a milder heat.

🍚 Serving Suggestions

  • Serve with steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice

  • Pair with a side of grilled eggplant or cucumber salad

  • Add a wedge of calamansi or lemon for brightness

🧊 Storage & Reheating

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

  • Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months.

  • Reheat: Gently on the stovetop or microwave until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

📊 Nutrition Info (Per Serving – Estimate)

  • Calories: ~520

  • Protein: 26g

  • Carbs: 18g

  • Fat: 38g

  • Fiber: 3g

  • Sodium: Moderate to high (based on fish sauce)

Allergens: Contains peanuts, coconut

❓FAQs

Q: Can I make this with beef or chicken?
A: Absolutely! Beef stew cuts or chicken thighs work well. Adjust cooking time accordingly (chicken cooks faster).

Q: Can I skip the coconut cream?
A: You can—just increase the water and peanut butter slightly. It will be less creamy but still flavorful.

Q: Is this the same as Kare-Kare?
A: Similar, but not quite! Kare-Kare uses more peanut butter and no tomato. Caldereta is tomato-based with spicy notes and often includes cheese or liver spread (we skipped those here!).

👩‍🍳 Kristy’s Note

This Pork Caldereta with coconut milk brings together bold Filipino flavors with comforting, creamy textures that feel like a hug in a bowl. Whether you’re trying this for the first time or grew up with caldereta on Sundays, it’s a dish that hits all the nostalgic notes—and smells amazing as it simmers away on your stove.

More Filipino-Inspired Dishes to Try

  • Skinny Chicken Adobo with Cauliflower Rice

  • W-W Friendly Sinigang-Inspired Soup

  • Filipino-Style Lumpiang Shanghai (Baked Option!)

  • Garlic Fried Rice with Egg & Pickled Papaya

💌 Let’s Simmer Together!

Tried this caldereta recipe? Share your story!
📸 Tag @KristyCookRecipes on Instagram or comment below.
Let’s bring more global comfort food into our kitchens—with health-conscious, flavor-forward joy.

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