Smith's Southern Sweet Potato & Pork Shoulder Stew
A comforting one-pot stew blending Southern heritage with modern diversity, featuring slow-simmered pork shoulder and vibrant sweet potatoes. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 175 minutes pairs pork shoulder, medium sweet potatoes, large onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 1.5 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 large onions
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim excess fat from pork shoulder and cut into 1-inch cubes. Pat dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork cubes in a single layer and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and slightly caramelized, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Step 4: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in paprika and thyme to coat the onions.
- Step 5: Return pork to the pot, add chicken broth and diced tomatoes, and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 6: Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until pork is fork-tender.
- Step 7: Peel and dice sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Add to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until potatoes are tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Southern Sweet Potato & Pork Shoulder Stew take to make?
Total time is about 175 minutes (25 min prep + 150 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 Smith's Southern Sweet Potato & Pork Shoulder Stew?
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 Smith's Southern Sweet Potato & Pork Shoulder Stew?
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 Smith's Southern Sweet Potato & Pork Shoulder Stew 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 Smith's Southern Sweet Potato & Pork Shoulder Stew?
American 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
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 150-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
