Slow-Cooked Pork Adobo with Sweet Plantains
Tender pork shoulder simmered in a savory adobo sauce with caramelized sweet plantains for a traditional Puerto Rican dinner. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 450 minutes pairs soy sauce, white vinegar, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 505 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 2 pounds, cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 6 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds sweet plantains
- 1, chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup chicken broth
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, white vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, and black pepper. Add pork cubes and toss to coat. Marinate for 1 hour at room temperature.
- Step 2: Place chopped onion in the slow cooker. Add marinated pork and pour in chicken broth. Cook on low for 6-7 hours until pork is fork-tender.
- Step 3: During the last hour of cooking, add sweet plantain slices to the slow cooker and stir gently.
- Step 4: Remove pork and plantains. Skim excess fat from the sauce. Return pork to the sauce and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Adobo with Sweet Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 450 minutes (30 min prep + 420 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 Pork Adobo with Sweet 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Pork Adobo with Sweet 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 Pork Adobo with Sweet Plantains for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Pork Adobo with Sweet Plantains?
Puerto Rican one pot 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
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this slow-cooked are incredible.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
