Braised Spanish Pork with Saffron and White Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pork shoulder braised with fragrant saffron, tomatoes, and creamy white beans for a hearty Spanish-inspired stew. This spanish-inspired pork ready in about 105 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder, large, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 90 min Serves 6 Spanish cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until onions are soft and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, soaked saffron with 2 tbsp water, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme. Bring to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and braise gently for 1 hour.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) drained white beans and cook uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until sauce thickens and pork is tender. Adjust seasoning before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Spanish Pork with Saffron and White Beans take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 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 Braised Spanish Pork with Saffron and White Beans?

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 large, diced onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Spanish Pork with Saffron and White Beans?

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 Braised Spanish Pork with Saffron and White Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Braised Spanish Pork with Saffron and White Beans?

Spanish pork 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.

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