Slow-Cooked Adobo Pork with Caramelized Plantains

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

Tender pork shoulder simmered in a smoky adobo sauce, paired with golden plantains for a sweet-savory balance. This mexican ready in about 120 minutes pairs pork shoulder, soy sauce, white vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 542 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: 30 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 542 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: Whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp dried oregano in a bowl. Season 1.5 lbs cubed pork shoulder with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then toss with 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 chopped yellow onion until coated. Marinate 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sear pork cubes for 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove pork and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/2 cup adobo sauce mixture and 1 cup chicken broth to the pot, scraping up browned bits. Return pork to pot, cover, and simmer on low heat for 90 minutes until fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: While pork cooks, heat a skillet over medium-high. Add 4 sliced plantains and cook 4 minutes per side until caramelized and golden. Serve pork with plantains on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Adobo Pork with Caramelized Plantains take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (30 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 Slow-Cooked Adobo Pork with Caramelized 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Adobo Pork with Caramelized 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 Slow-Cooked Adobo Pork with Caramelized 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 Slow-Cooked Adobo Pork with Caramelized Plantains?

Mexican mexican 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

Related recipes