Whole30 Bicol Express

Indulge in the rich, creamy flavors of Whole30 Bicol Express, a wholesome twist on the classic Filipino dish. This paleo-friendly version is brimming with tender pork shoulder simmered in velvety coconut cream, aromatic ginger, garlic, and a medley of red and green chili peppers for that signature spicy kick. Perfect for Whole30 enthusiasts, this recipe swaps sugar-heavy ingredients for clean, simple substitutes like fish sauce and coconut oil, ensuring every bite is both satisfying and compliant. Ready in just over an hour, it's a hearty and flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with cauliflower rice or your favorite Whole30-approved side. Whether you're meal-prepping or serving family-style, this guilt-free take on a Filipino favorite is sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams pork shoulder
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 medium onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 3 pieces red chili peppers
• 2 pieces green chili peppers
• 400 ml coconut cream
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 2 pieces scallions

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork shoulder into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2

Slice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger.

Step 3

Deseed and slice the red and green chili peppers according to your heat preference.

Step 4

Heat the coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the onion to the pan and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Add the garlic and ginger, stirring continuously, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 7

Stir in the chili peppers and sauté for another 2 minutes.

Step 8

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the pork pieces. Brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 9

Pour in the coconut cream and water, stirring to combine everything.

Step 10

Add the fish sauce, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 11

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 40-45 minutes, or until the pork is tender.

Step 12

Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 13

Finely chop the scallions and sprinkle them over the top before serving.

Step 14

Serve hot with cauliflower rice or any Whole30-approved side dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1545.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2908.4

Total Fat 152.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 105.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g
Cholesterol 441.2mg	0%
Sodium 5375.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 249.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.9g	0%
Total Sugars 222.5g
Protein 130.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 270.1mg	0%
Iron 8.3mg	0%
Potassium 3163.4mg	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: 47.5%

Protein: 18.0%

Carbs: 34.5%