Spiced Dominican-Style Pork Stew with Plantains
A hearty pork stew infused with warm spices and simmered with sweet plantains, delivering rich Caribbean flavors in every bite. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 95 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced ripe plantains
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed pork shoulder and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1 tsp paprika. Cook for 1 minute to toast spices.
- Step 4: Return pork to the pot and add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 1 hour until pork is tender.
- Step 5: Add 2 medium sliced ripe plantains to the stew, cover, and cook for an additional 15 minutes until plantains are soft.
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro just before serving to brighten flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Dominican-Style Pork Stew with Plantains take to make?
Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 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 Spiced Dominican-Style Pork Stew with 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Dominican-Style Pork Stew with 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 Spiced Dominican-Style Pork Stew with 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 Spiced Dominican-Style Pork Stew with Plantains?
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.
