Dairy-Free Pork Pastil

Elevate your meal prep with this irresistible Dairy-Free Pork Pastil, a fragrant and hearty Filipino-inspired dish wrapped in aromatic banana leaves. Perfectly seasoned pork shoulder is marinated in soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, then caramelized with a touch of brown sugar for a savory-sweet balance. Paired with fluffy steamed rice and bundled in banana leaves, this dish is gently steamed to infuse all the flavors while keeping it dairy-free and wonderfully tender. The lime wedges and spring onion garnish add a refreshing pop, making it an enticing choice for weeknight dinners or special occasions. This recipe is not only simple but also a delightful way to explore a unique, cultural cooking technique—perfect for anyone looking for vibrant, gluten-free, and dairy-free meal ideas!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams pork shoulder
• 4 sheets banana leaves
• 60 ml soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 medium onion
• 3 large garlic cloves
• 2 inches ginger
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups rice
• 4 cups water
• 4 pieces lime wedges
• 2 stalks spring onions

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing your banana leaves. Cut them into roughly 12-inch square pieces and wipe them clean with a damp cloth. Set aside.

Step 2

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil, then add the rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until the rice is tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Step 3

Cut the pork shoulder into small, bite-sized pieces.

Step 4

In a bowl, combine the pork with soy sauce, half of the salt, and black pepper. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes.

Step 5

While the pork is marinating, finely chop the onion, garlic, and ginger.

Step 6

Heat the coconut oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork and brown it on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 7

Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger to the pan with the pork. Sauté until the onions become translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Step 8

Stir in the brown sugar and cook for another 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved into the mixture.

Step 9

Add the remaining salt and adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 10

To assemble the pastil, lay a banana leaf square flat on your work surface. Scoop about 1/2 cup of cooked rice in the center of each banana leaf. Top with a portion of the cooked pork mixture.

Step 11

Fold the sides of the banana leaf over the filling, then fold the ends to create a sealed packet. Secure with a small strip of banana leaf or kitchen twine if necessary.

Step 12

Steam the banana leaf packets in a steamer basket over boiling water for about 10 minutes to heat through and allow the flavors to meld.

Step 13

Carefully remove the packets from the steamer. Serve warm with lime wedges and a garnish of chopped spring onions.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2548.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1955.6

Total Fat 88.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 44.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 441.2mg	0%
Sodium 5874.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 141.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.8g	0%
Total Sugars 26.5g
Protein 136.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 343.0mg	0%
Iron 11.1mg	0%
Potassium 2669.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.7%

Protein: 28.6%

Carbs: 29.7%