Baked Plantain Cups with Spiced Pork Filling
Golden plantain cups filled with savory pork seasoned with adobo and cumin, baked until tender and served with fresh cilantro. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals ready in about 45 minutes pairs ripe plantains, ground pork, medium onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe plantains
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp adobo seasoning
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Peel 4 ripe plantains and slice into 1/2-inch rounds. Arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, pressing each slice gently to form cup shapes.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 1 cup finely chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp adobo seasoning, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly with hands until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Step 3: Spoon the pork mixture into each plantain cup, pressing gently to fill. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil. Bake for 25 minutes until plantains are golden and pork is cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Plantain Cups with Spiced Pork Filling take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Plantain Cups with Spiced Pork Filling?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ripe plantains from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Plantain Cups with Spiced Pork Filling?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Plantain Cups with Spiced Pork Filling for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Plantain Cups with Spiced Pork Filling?
Puerto Rican quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! The plantain cups held together beautifully and the pork was so flavorful. Perfect for a weeknight meal.
- ★★★★★
A new favorite! The recipe was easy and the flavors were authentic. I'll make these again for my Puerto Rican friends.
- ★★★★★
The plantain cups were perfect! My family loved the spiced pork filling. Made for a quick dinner and everyone asked for seconds.
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