Thai Basil Marinated Pork Shoulder with Caramelized Pineapple

Name: Thai Basil Marinated Pork Shoulder with Caramelized Pineapple
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 600 g pork shoulder, thinly sliced; 4 tbsp tamarind paste; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp palm sugar, grated; 3 cloves garlic, finely minced; 1 small red chili, finely sliced; 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, roughly chopped; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 small pineapple (about 500 g), peeled and sliced into 1 cm thick rings; 1 tsp sea salt; 1 lime, cut into wedges; Cooked jasmine rice, to serve (optional)

Tender pork shoulder marinated in fragrant Thai basil and tamarind, seared to a caramelized crust, served with sweet-savory caramelized pineapple slices for a balanced midday meal.

Prep25 minCook20 minTotal45 minServes4Difficultymedium

Method

How to make it

01
In a mixing bowl, combine tamarind paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, palm sugar, garlic, chili, and half the Thai basil. Stir until sugar dissolves.
02
Add the sliced pork shoulder to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
03
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove pork from marinade, letting excess drip off, then sear in batches without crowding until deeply browned and caramelized, about 3 minutes per side. Set aside.
04
Wipe the skillet clean, then add remaining oil. Arrange pineapple slices in the skillet, sprinkle with sea salt, and cook over medium heat until golden and caramelized on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
05
Return the pork to the skillet with pineapple just to warm through and meld flavors for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
06
Serve pork and caramelized pineapple garnished with remaining fresh Thai basil and lime wedges. Accompany with jasmine rice if desired.

From the editor

Cooking tips

Marinate pork for at least 20 minutes but up to 2 hours to allow the tamarind's acidity to tenderize the meat without making it mushy.
Sear the pork in batches to ensure it browns properly instead of steaming, which preserves texture and flavor.
Use fresh pineapple for caramelizing to add brightness; canned pineapple won’t caramelize as well and will be overly sweet.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid drying out the pork.

Published August 14, 2026