Recipe: Chunky Pork and Apple Stew (2024)

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Sheri Castle

Sheri Castle

Sheri Castle is a professional food writer, recipe developer, recipetester, and culinary instructor. She is known for melding storytelling, humor, and culinary expertise, so she can tell a tale while making a memorable meal.

updated Jan 29, 2020

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Recipe: Chunky Pork and Apple Stew (1)

Serves8

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Recipe: Chunky Pork and Apple Stew (2)

When the temperature drops in January, what we really want is food that fills us up and nourishes at the same time. So start your day with a hearty smoothie, but finish it with a wholesome stew. This is one of a series of stews designed to make you feel good in every possible way. Brimming with veggies and spices, each of these wholesome stews will support and reward your best New Year’s intentions.

This stew is hearty because of the delicious bacon and pork, but it still feels prudent because of all the nutrient- and fiber-rich apples and sweet potatoes. It delivers the classic flavor combos we crave, but feels updated.

For another smart turn, consider sides other than potatoes, pasta, and white rice that can satisfy and soak up sauce, such as cauliflower “rice.” Many grocery stores now sell packages of riced cauliflower in the produce department, but you can make your own by pulsing fresh florets in the food processor until finely chopped.

The Secret’s in the (Hard) Cider

Have you ever wondered why so many stews and braises use alcohol (it’s hard cider in this recipe) to deglaze the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot? Sure, the alcohol adds some flavor, but the main reason is that many of the flavors created by searing the meat and caramelizing the vegetables are alcohol-soluble, which means that they are released into the stew only when alcohol cooks away. It’s double-duty flavor enhancement.

Mustard, a Stand-in for Flour

Another key ingredient in this stew is the mustard. Mustard is an ingenious way to add a big wallop of flavor that is practically calorie-free. In this recipe, the lecithin in the mustard helps thicken the sauce in lieu of flour and adds taste and texture to both the gravy and the amazing cauliflower accompaniment.

Smart cooks should keep a few mustards on hand to add to recipes, but if you can choose only one, you won’t go wrong with a seedy whole-grain Dijon that works in everything from vinaigrettes to sandwiches to stews.

Comments

Serves 8

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

For the stew:

  • 4

    thick-cut bacon slices (about 4 ounces), chopped

  • 3 pounds

    boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt, plus more as needed

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

  • 1

    large red onion, halved and thinly sliced

  • 1

    medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced, a few pretty fronds reserved

  • 1 teaspoon

    dried sage

  • 1 teaspoon

    granulated garlic (no salt)

  • 1 teaspoon

    ground ginger

  • 1 teaspoon

    ground mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    ground cayenne

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    ground mace or nutmeg

  • 4 cups

    (1 quart) low-sodium chicken broth or stock, plus more as needed

  • 1 1/4 cups

    hard apple cider, divided

  • 3 tablespoons

    apple cider vinegar

  • 1 pound

    sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large dice

  • 3

    medium Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored and each cut into 8 wedges

  • 2 tablespoons

    cornstarch

  • 1 tablespoon

    finely chopped fresh sage leaves

  • 2 tablespoons

    whole-grain mustard, for serving

For the cauliflower rice:

  • 2 tablespoons

    bacon fat or butter

  • 6 cups

    riced or very finely chopped cauliflower (about 1 1/2 pounds)

  • 1/2 cup

    low-sodium chicken broth or stock

  • 1/3 cup

    sour cream or crème fraîche

  • 2 tablespoons

    whole-grain mustard

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 3/4 cup

    finely diced unpeeled Honeycrisp apple

Instructions

Make the stew:

  1. Cook the bacon in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the fat in the pot.

  2. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season with the measured salt and pepper. Working in batches, add the pork to the pot and sear on all sides over medium-high heat, turning with tongs, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the seared meat to a bowl.

  3. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the pot. Add the onion and fennel and use a wooden spoon to loosen the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the dried sage, garlic, ginger, ground mustard, cayenne, and mace or nutmeg. Cook until fragrant, stirring continuously, about 1 minute.

  4. Add the broth and 1 cup of the cider. Stir to loosen any bits from the bottom of the pot.

  5. Return the pork and any accumulated juices to the pot. The braising liquid should be level with the meat, so add more broth if needed. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook at a bare simmer until the pork is fork-tender, about 2 hours.

  6. Stir in the vinegar, sweet potatoes, and apples. Increase the heat to medium and simmer uncovered until tender but not falling apart, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the cauliflower rice.

Make the cauliflower rice:

  1. Heat the bacon fat or butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add the cauliflower and stir to coat. Stir in the broth. Simmer, stirring often, until the cauliflower is barely tender and most of the liquid has cooked away, about 8 minutes. Stir in the sour cream or crème fraîche and mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the apple. Keep warm over very low heat.

Finish the stew:

  1. Whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup cider in a small bowl until smooth. Stir into the stew. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes.

  2. Stir in the reserved bacon and fresh sage. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve over the cauliflower rice, topped with a spoonful of mustard and a few of the reserved fennel fronds.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Store the leftover stew and cauliflower rice separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Filed in:

autumn

Beer

dinner

Gluten-Free

herbs

Ingredient

Recipe: Chunky Pork and Apple Stew (2024)

FAQs

Does pork and apple go well together? ›

Pork and apples are a match made in heaven. Try this seasonal flavor combo in roasts, skillet suppers, sandwiches and more.

What cut of pork is used for stew? ›

Pork tenderloin is the traditional pork stew meat, thanks to its high percentage of fat. It's the quintessential low-and-slow cut, turning fall-apart tender as it infuses the surrounding broth with deep pork flavor.

What part of pig is best for stew? ›

Shoulder: Cuts from the upper portion of the shoulder (called the blade shoulder) are well marbled with fat and contain a lot of connective tissue, making them ideal candidates for slow-cooking methods like braising, stewing, or barbecuing.

Can you substitute pork for beef in stew? ›

You can also substitute cubed lamb shoulder or pork shoulder roast for the beef. As long as the meat is cut into 1½- to 2-inch cubes, the cooking time will remain the same—even if you increase the amount of meat. Also, feel free to vary the vegetables depending on what's in season.

Why do people put apples in pork? ›

Pork has a meaty, slightly sweet, and very savory flavor, but it is also quite oily. Apples have a sweet, relatively dry, slightly acidic flavor, and the dry acidity is a good complement to the oiliness of pork. People have served pork with apples for at least a couple thousand years.

What is the best combination with apple? ›

9 Things to Pair with an Apple
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
  • Almond Butter + Orange Marmalade.
  • Plain Yogurt + Honey + Cinnamon.
  • Cream Cheese + Sweet Pickle Relish.
  • Ricotta + Lemon Zest + Chopped Pistachios.
  • Balsamic Vinegar + Brown Sugar + Ground Pepper.
  • Berry Vinaigrette + Walnuts.
  • Arugula + Bacon.
Sep 10, 2020

Can you overcook pork stew meat? ›

It absolutely overcooks it if you cook it too long. You don't want to cook your stew for half a day, because it will end up with very dry meat. Good stew meat has a lot of connective tissue. When you cook it, the connective tissue starts to break down, the most easily-reached first.

Why is my pork stew meat tough? ›

Tough cuts of any animal need time to break down. It's ok to braise meat for at least four hours on a low setting, prior to adding veggies for another two hours.

What is the tastiest pig part? ›

Roasted pork loin is probably one of the best parts of the pig. pork loin can be made bone-in or boneless, Grilled, smoked or slow-roasted on a barbecue with whatever spices and sauces you like, the roasted pork loin is a firm favorite among chefs.

What is the most flavorful part of a pig? ›

Pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt, is a beloved cut for slow cooking and barbecue enthusiasts. This well-marbled and flavorful cut is ideal for pulled pork, stews, and roasts. As it cooks low and slow, the connective tissue breaks down, resulting in tender, juicy, and flavorful meat.

Should I brown stew meat first? ›

"The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish." If you are making a slow-cooked recipe that calls for ground beef, like chili, beef stew, or meat sauce, browning the meat beforehand makes a huge difference.

How do you thicken pork stew? ›

Toss meat pieces in flour prior to browning. The flour helps to thicken a stew as it cooks. Whisk a teaspoon of flour in a little cold water to make a slurry, then stir into the stew as it's cooking. Don't add dry flour directly to the stew as it may clump.

How do you soften pork stew meat? ›

Using the gradual, moist heat of a stew pot, pressure cooker, or slow cooker can give you pork so tender that you don't need a knife to eat it. Stewing generally involves cooking the meat for long periods of time at low heat while it's submerged in a mixture of liquid and solid ingredients.

What fruits go with pork? ›

Pork is friendly to fruits like apples, cranberries, strawberries, currants, dried cherries, dried figs, mangoes, quince, plums, pineapple, pears, peaches, and apricots. See how lemon brightens up pork in Citrus Spiced Roasted Pork Loin Roast.

What mixes well with pork? ›

Hot Apple Cider with Rum

Apple and pork are a classic combination in culinary traditions. This drink compliments pork tenderloin recipes having subtle spices. The hot drink accentuates the meat and also keeps you warm on a cold winter's night.

What flavors go well with pork? ›

Great cooking is all about experimenting with flavours. Traditionally, pork pairs best with these herbs and Spices: Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Caraway Seeds, Mustard Seeds, Fennel, Cloves, Garlic and Parsley.

Do people eat pork with applesauce? ›

Pork chops and apple sauce is a traditional dish in American cuisine consisting of cooked pork chops and apple sauce. The pork chops can be pan-fried, baked or broiled, and the meat is sometimes breaded prior to cooking. Some people consider the dish to be a comfort food.

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