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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
