Slow-Cooked Goan Pork Vindaloo with Red Chilies and Vinegar

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

A fiery, tangy pork curry slow-cooked with traditional Goan spices, red chilies, and vinegar for a deeply flavorful and tender dish. This indian-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cubed, dried red chilies, white vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 Indian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Soak 6 dried red chilies in warm water for 15 minutes until soft, then grind them with 3 tbsp white vinegar, 6 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 2 tsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp black peppercorns, 1 cinnamon stick, and 4 cloves into a smooth paste. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and sauté 1 medium finely chopped onion for 5-6 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the prepared spice paste and cook for 5 minutes, stirring continuously until the oil starts to separate and the paste thickens.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb cubed pork shoulder to the pot, stirring well to coat each piece with the paste. Cook over medium-high heat for 7 minutes until the pork is browned on all sides.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp brown sugar, and salt to taste. Pour in 1 cup water, stir to combine, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened, stirring occasionally.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Goan Pork Vindaloo with Red Chilies and Vinegar take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 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 Slow-Cooked Goan Pork Vindaloo with Red Chilies and Vinegar?

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, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Goan Pork Vindaloo with Red Chilies and Vinegar?

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 Goan Pork Vindaloo with Red Chilies and Vinegar 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 Goan Pork Vindaloo with Red Chilies and Vinegar?

Indian 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.