Mild Peruvian Pork Adobo with Roasted Sweet Potato and Cilantro Avocado Salad
Peruvian Food
Intermediate

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.

25 minPrep
70 minCook
95 minTotal
4Servings
Gluten-FreeDairy-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 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

536 kcal
Calories
33 g
Protein
26 g
Carbs
33 g
Fat
5 g
Fiber
21 g
Net carbs

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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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 image: Air fryerIllustrative image

    Cosori 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
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Digital kitchen thermometerIllustrative image

    TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer

    Checking doneness of meat and chicken

    • Checks doneness of meat and chicken
    • Quick reading
    • Clean the probe after each use
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Chef’s knifeIllustrative image

    Victorinox 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
    View on Amazon

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