Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Sofrito and Plantains

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

Tender slow-cooked pork infused with a vibrant Dominican sofrito and served alongside sweet fried plantains for a comforting Caribbean meal. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 195 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes, olive oil, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 75 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 550 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes with 1 cup Dominican sofrito, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Toss well and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork pieces and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes until the edges are caramelized.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer the pork for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender and easily pulls apart.
  4. Step 4: While the pork cooks, peel the 2 large ripe plantains and slice them diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
  5. Step 5: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Fry the plantain slices in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and caramelized, then drain on paper towels.
  6. Step 6: Serve the tender pork hot alongside the fried plantains for a balanced and flavorful Dominican-inspired dish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Sofrito and Plantains take to make?

Total time is about 195 minutes (75 min prep + 120 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 Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Sofrito and Plantains?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Sofrito and Plantains?

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 Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Sofrito and Plantains 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 Dominican-Style Slow-Cooked Pork with Sofrito and Plantains?

Caribbean 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.

Related recipes