Low Carb Pinakbet

Experience the vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine with this Low Carb Pinakbet—a hearty and nutritious twist on the classic dish! Packed with tender pork belly, fresh vegetables like cauliflower, bitter melon, eggplant, and green beans, and the savory punch of shrimp paste, this recipe is a perfect balance of rich umami and wholesome goodness. By swapping out starchy elements, this keto-friendly version retains all the character of traditional Pinakbet while keeping it low in carbs. Simmered to perfection in a flavorful broth and ready in just 45 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for a quick yet satisfying weeknight dinner. Serve it on its own or pair with grilled meat or fish for a truly authentic Filipino dining experience!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams Pork belly, sliced into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Bagong alamang (shrimp paste)
• 2 medium Tomatoes, chopped
• 1 large Eggplant, chopped
• 1 medium Radish, sliced thinly
• 1 medium Bitter melon (ampalaya), sliced
• 100 grams Green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 200 grams Cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 cup Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the pork belly pieces and cook until they are browned and crispy.

Step 2

Remove the pork from the pan and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

Step 3

In the same pan, add minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the shrimp paste and cook for another minute to combine the flavors.

Step 5

Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes are softened.

Step 6

Return the pork to the pan. Then, add the eggplant, radish, bitter melon, and green beans. Stir everything well to coat the vegetables with the mixture.

Step 7

Pour in a cup of water and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 8

Add the cauliflower florets. Cover and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but not mushy.

Step 9

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 10

Serve warm as a main dish or alongside grilled meat or fish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1577.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1838.5

Total Fat 163.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 52.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 200mg	0%
Sodium 2987.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 57.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.3g	0%
Total Sugars 25.9g
Protein 40.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 294.1mg	0%
Iron 6.7mg	0%
Potassium 3037.3mg	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: 79.1%

Protein: 8.7%

Carbs: 12.2%