Sugar-Free Bicol Express

Indulge in the rich, spicy flavors of this *Sugar-Free Bicol Express*, a healthier twist on the classic Filipino dish! This recipe features tender pork belly simmered in creamy coconut milk and infused with bold, aromatic shrimp paste (bagoong) for authentic depth and flavor. A medley of red Thai chilies and green chili peppers packs just the right amount of heat, balanced perfectly with a fragrant blend of garlic and onions. With no added sugar, this guilt-free version retains all the savory goodness of the traditional recipe, making it ideal for keto enthusiasts or anyone seeking a low-sugar meal. Ready in just an hour, this hearty dish is best served with steaming white rice to soak up every bit of the luscious sauce.

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Pork belly
• 400 ml Coconut milk
• 5 pieces Red Thai chilies
• 3 pieces Green chili peppers
• 5 pieces Garlic cloves
• 1 medium Onion
• 2 tablespoons Shrimp paste (bagoong)
• 2 tablespoons Fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Cooking oil

Directions

Step 1

Slice the pork belly into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1-inch cubes, and set aside.

Step 2

Mince the garlic and chop the onion finely. Cut the red Thai chilies and green chili peppers into thin slices.

Step 3

Heat a large pan over medium heat and add the cooking oil.

Step 4

Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant and the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Increase the heat to high and add the pork belly cubes to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pork is lightly browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the shrimp paste (bagoong) and cook for another 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors.

Step 7

Add the coconut milk to the pan and stir to combine all ingredients.

Step 8

Once the mixture begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low, allowing it to cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 9

Add the red Thai chilies and green chili peppers, along with the fish sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 10

Let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and the pork is tender.

Step 11

Adjust seasoning to taste and remove from heat.

Step 12

Serve hot with freshly steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1323.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3211.0

Total Fat 296.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 101.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 420mg	0%
Sodium 8333.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 74.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.2g	0%
Total Sugars 44.8g
Protein 62.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 210.6mg	0%
Iron 6.1mg	0%
Potassium 2173.0mg	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: 83.0%

Protein: 7.8%

Carbs: 9.2%