Commfort Cooking with Pork & Beef: Easy Recipes with Pork Jowls, Pork Shoulder, and Bulalo Shank

Commfort Cooking with Pork & Beef: Easy Recipes with Pork Jowls, Pork Shoulder, and Bulalo Shank

When it comes to hearty, flavor-packed meals, few cuts can match the richness of pork jowls, pork shoulder, and the ever-popular bulalo shank. These cuts may not always be the first you think of when planning dinner, but they’re some of the most versatile and rewarding to cook with. Whether you’re craving a slow-cooked pork dish or a beefy steak-style meal, these recipes will help you turn humble cuts into show-stoppers.

Easy Pork Jowls & Pork Shoulder Rice Bowl

Why it works: Pork jowls are naturally fatty, while pork shoulder has the perfect balance of lean and fat. Together, they create tender, juicy bites with a crispy edge when pan-seared or roasted.

Ingredients

  • 300g pork jowls (thinly sliced)

  • 300g pork shoulder (cubed)

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or calamansi juice

  • 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar

  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)

  • 1 medium onion (sliced)

  • 1 thumb ginger (sliced)

  • Cooked white rice, for serving

  • Chopped spring onions & sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Marinate the pork: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, and honey. Add garlic, onion, and ginger. Toss pork jowls and shoulder into the marinade. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

  2. Cook: Heat a pan on medium-high. First sear the pork jowls until crisp and golden (fat will render beautifully). Remove and set aside. Then cook the pork shoulder cubes in the same pan until browned and tender.

  3. Combine: Add back the pork jowls, stir everything together, and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.

  4. Serve: Spoon over steamed rice and top with spring onions and sesame seeds.

Perfect for busy nights—this meal is ready in under an hour and hits that sweet-salty-savory balance we all love in Filipino home cooking.

Bulalo Shank Steak with Garlic Butter

Why it works: Bulalo is often enjoyed in soups, but the shank cut has a beefy richness and marrow center that makes it fantastic when treated like a steak. By pan-searing or grilling it, you get all the flavor of a classic bulalo in a steak-style dish.

Ingredients

  • 2 pieces bulalo shank (about 1-inch thick, like steaks)

  • Salt & freshly ground pepper

  • 2 tbsp oil (canola or olive oil)

  • 4 tbsp butter

  • 6 cloves garlic (crushed)

  • 2 sprigs rosemary or thyme

  • Optional: calamansi or lemon wedges, for finishing

Instructions

  1. Season: Pat the bulalo shanks dry with a paper towel. Season generously with salt and pepper.

  2. Sear: Heat oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. Sear the shanks 3–4 minutes per side until deeply browned.

  3. Butter-baste: Lower the heat, add butter, garlic, and herbs to the pan. Tilt the pan slightly and spoon the melted butter over the shank repeatedly for 2–3 minutes.

  4. Finish: For medium doneness, cook about 10–12 minutes total (depending on thickness). For fall-off-the-bone tenderness, you can transfer to a 160°C (325°F) oven and roast for 45–60 minutes.

  5. Serve: Plate with garlic butter sauce and a wedge of calamansi or lemon to brighten the richness.

Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even plain rice to soak up that buttery pan sauce.

Final Thoughts

Cuts like pork jowls, pork shoulder, and bulalo shank prove that delicious meals don’t need to be complicated. With simple seasonings and the right cooking method, you can bring out their best qualities—crispy, juicy pork for rice bowls, and buttery, steak-style bulalo for a weekend treat.

If you love experimenting with underappreciated cuts, these recipes are a great place to start. Try them out and discover how easy it is to make comfort food at home with restaurant-level flavor.

Back to blog