Mofongo-Style Garlic Mashed Plantains with Crispy Pork
A traditional Puerto Rican-inspired dish featuring mashed green plantains infused with garlic and served with crispy pan-fried pork belly. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 45 minutes pairs peeled garlic cloves, cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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
- 3 large, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces green plantains
- 6, peeled garlic cloves
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- for frying vegetable oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 3 large peeled and cut green plantains in a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain thoroughly.
- Step 2: While plantains cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb cubed pork belly seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Fry for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until pork is golden and crispy on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 6 peeled garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove garlic and mash together with the cooked plantains in a large bowl.
- Step 4: Gradually add 1/4 cup chicken broth to the plantain and garlic mash, stirring until smooth and moist but still chunky.
- Step 5: Serve the garlic mashed plantains topped with the crispy pork belly cubes for a hearty, traditional dish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mofongo-Style Garlic Mashed Plantains with Crispy Pork take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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-Style Garlic Mashed Plantains with Crispy Pork?
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 peeled garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mofongo-Style Garlic Mashed Plantains with Crispy Pork?
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-Style Garlic Mashed Plantains with Crispy Pork 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-Style Garlic Mashed Plantains with Crispy Pork?
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.
