Make an authentic Mexican pork stew that’s full of deeply comforting flavors.
Fans of authentic Mexican cuisine and hearty comfort food, rejoice! I have a fantastic recipe you’ll want to try: asado de puerco, a traditional pork stew from northern Mexico. This flavorful dish is still a favorite in that region, often served during special occasions like weddings, baptisms, and weekend family gatherings. It is usually accompanied by tortillas or rice and beans. Some people also serve it with a squeeze of lime or sliced avocado.
I first tried asado de puerco at an authentic Mexican restaurant in my city, and my taste buds were instantly captivated by its complex and comforting flavors. After one bite, I immediately knew this was a dish I had to try and recreate at home. It’s exactly the kind of meal that chases away the cold—perfect for slowly savoring on a blustery winter’s day, preferably with a glass of red wine and a roaring fire nearby.
This rich stew features guajillo and ancho chiles, which may sound intimidating if you’re sensitive to spice. But don’t worry, these dried chiles are more smoky than fiery, lending a robust, earthy flavor without overwhelming heat. The subtle spice is beautifully balanced by aromatic herbs like oregano and thyme, while cumin adds a nutty touch and fresh-squeezed orange juice lends sweet, citrusy brightness. The result is a layered dish that’s flavorful and bound to become a favorite.
Make it your own
Though I love this dish as is, there is definitely plenty of room to make it your own. Asado de puerco is mainly meat-based, but if you want to create a more substantial meal, you can add cubed potatoes or chunks of carrot to cook alongside the pork. Sometimes I’ll throw in some corn, green bell peppers, chopped green beans, peas, or zucchini for some color. Adding a can of fire-roasted tomatoes always lends this dish incredible depth.
It may not be very traditional or do the name justice, but you can always replace the pork with beef, chicken, or even tofu. Bear in mind, however, that the cooking times will vary depending on what you use.
How do I store leftovers?
Once cooked, the leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. This dish also freezes well. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove until piping hot.
Serving suggestions
As mentioned, a traditional side dish that’s served with asado de puerco is rice and beans. Great options include this Mexican Rice Recipe, a simple Black Beans & Rice Recipe, or Spanish Rice And Beans. You can also serve asado de puerco as a taco or burrito filling, so whip up a batch of Keto Tortillas or Gluten-Free Tortillas With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and fill them with this tasty pork stew, plenty of chopped lettuce, and a good dollop of salsa or sour cream.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork shoulder cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 dried guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
- 3 dried ancho chiles stems and seeds removed
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 medium white onion chopped
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- Juice of 1 orange
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Place the pork in a large pot. Add water to cover the pork, and add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour until pork is tender.
- In a separate bowl, cover the guajillo and ancho chiles with boiling water. Let them steep for 20 minutes to soften.
- Drain the chiles and transfer to a blender. Add garlic, cumin, oregano, thyme, chopped onion, and 1 cup of fresh water. Blend until smooth.
- In the pot with the tender pork, increase heat to medium-high and add vegetable oil. Pour the chile sauce over the pork. Add orange juice and salt to taste. Simmer for 30 minutes, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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