Mofongo con Puerco
Crispy plantain mashed with garlic and pork, a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine. This puerto rican-inspired mediterranean ready in about 55 minutes pairs cubed pork belly, small, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 medium, fried until golden green plantains
- 1 cup, cubed pork belly
- 1 small, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup cubed pork belly and 1 tsp salt. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is browned.
- Step 3: Add 4 fried green plantains, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup water. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring, until plantains are tender and mixture is creamy.
- Step 4: Mash with a fork or potato masher until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mofongo con Puerco take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 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 Mofongo con Puerco?
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 cubed pork belly from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mofongo con Puerco?
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 Mofongo con Puerco 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 Mofongo con Puerco?
Puerto Rican mediterranean 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
