Slow-Cooked Venezuelan Hallaca Stew with Pork and Olives

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich and flavorful slow-cooked pork stew inspired by Venezuela’s traditional hallaca filling, featuring olives, raisins, and warm spices. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cubed, medium onion, finely chopped, green bell pepper, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed pork shoulder and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes, then transfer to a slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground annatto or paprika, cooking for 2 minutes until spices release aroma.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the sautéed mixture to the slow cooker with pork. Add 1/2 cup sliced green olives, 1/4 cup raisins, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until pork is tender and stew is thick and flavorful.
  6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the hallaca-inspired stew with white rice or warm corn tortillas.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Venezuelan Hallaca Stew with Pork and Olives take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Venezuelan Hallaca Stew with Pork and Olives?

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 Venezuelan Hallaca Stew with Pork and Olives?

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 Venezuelan Hallaca Stew with Pork and Olives 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 Venezuelan Hallaca Stew with Pork and Olives?

Latin American 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.

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