
Mild Peruvian Pork Adobo with Roasted Sweet Potato and Cilantro Avocado Salad
An original Peruvian-inspired dish featuring pork marinated with ají panca, garlic, cumin, and vinegar, gently cooked until tender, then served with roasted sweet potato and a fresh avocado, red onion, and cilantro salad. It has a criollo profile, deep flavor, and very mild heat.
Ingredients
- 800 g pork shoulder, cubed (1.5 inch)
- 45 g ají panca paste (ajusta to taste)
- 18 g garlic, minced (fresh)
- 3 g ground cumin
- 1 g dried oregano (lightly frotado entre the dedos)
- 60 ml red wine vinegar
- 360 ml chicken stock or water (for the cocción)
- 180 g red onion, sliced (divided en dos partes)
- 30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 8 g salt (or to taste)
- 2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
- 700 g sweet potato, thick slices (pelado)
- 2 g paprika (for the camote)
- 300 g avocado, diced (ripe pero firme)
- 16 g cilantro, chopped (fresh)
- 30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
No declared allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. In a bowl, mix the pork shoulder with ají panca paste, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Add half of the sliced red onion and massage well so the meat is fully coated. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
- 2
2. Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Place the sweet potato slices on a tray and toss them with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, turning halfway through, until browned on the edges and tender inside.
- 3
3. Heat a wide pot or casserole over medium-high heat. Add the pork with all of its marinade and brown for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally so the onion and ají panca cook without burning.
- 4
4. Pour in the chicken stock or water, stir well, and once it comes to a boil reduce to medium-low heat. Cover partially and cook for 45 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pork is tender and the sauce is slightly thickened.
- 5
5. While the adobo cooks, make the salad by combining the diced avocado, the remaining red onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Toss gently so the avocado keeps its shape.
- 6
6. Taste the pork sauce and adjust with the remaining salt if needed. If you want a more concentrated sauce, cook uncovered for 5 additional minutes.
- 7
7. Serve the mild pork adobo hot with the roasted sweet potato slices on the side, and finish with the cilantro avocado salad on top or alongside.
Chef tips
For deeper flavor, you can marinate the pork for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator. The sweet potato roasts best if the slices are not crowded on the tray.
Substitutions
You can use pork neck or pork leg instead of shoulder. If you do not have ají panca paste, combine smoked paprika with a small amount of tomato paste and a pinch of mild chili powder. Sweet potato can be replaced with roasted yuca.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ratings & reviews
Sign in to rate this recipe
Sign inRelated recipes

Creole Fish Sudado with Tender Corn, Aji Amarillo and Cilantro Yuca
60 min

Peruvian Pork Adobo with Chicha de Jora, Roasted Sweet Potato and Red Onion Relish
120 min

Peruvian Trout Sudado with Creamy Hominy and Huacatay
60 min

Aji Panca Beef Steak with Peruvian Lima Bean Mash and Warm Tomato Oregano Salad
60 min

Creole Turkey Stew with Tender Lima Beans, Chicha de Jora and Mint
75 min

Northern-Style Peruvian Hake Stew with Yuca, Yellow Chili, and Cilantro Corn
55 min