Mexican pork and black bean stew. This is one of those crazy satisfying recipes that insinuates itself into your list of favourites.
This is not just another chili recipe. It’s different. Really good in that sneak up on you sort of way.
This is old school Mexican cooking
I learned to cook Mexican reading Diana Kennedy. She unlocked Mexican cooking for me in her “Cuisines of Mexico” way back when nobody had a clue. Kind of the Julia Child of Mexican back in the day.
She taught me about getting away from that nasty grocery store chili powder. The differences between different types of chilies. That Mexican oregano is not the same as European oregano. When to use epazote.
I learned chipotles are the thing of absolute wonder (this was a long time ago – way before there were restaurants called Chipotle). Fundamentals of Mexican cooking. It was completely mind blowing for this Northern boy.
Rick Bayless brought it into focus for me though. I have watched every episode of Mexico One Plate at a Time at least twice. Read at least two of his books cover to cover.
This black bean stew is about layering flavours
Dry roasting the onion and garlic. The fire roasted tomatoes. Frying the onion mixture. That’s Rick Bayless.
He would be mad I didn’t use pork lard instead of oil. Sorry about that Mr. Bayless. Next time. I was out and the butcher was closed… But at least this black bean stew brings all those lessons into one big bowl of delicious.
Mexican pork and black bean stew is all about layering flavours. That’s what makes it work.
The deeply browned pork. The charred onions. Earthy black beans. A bit of acid from the fire roasted tomatoes. A bit more from the lime. Bright notes from the cilantro and jalapeño.
These are complex and satisfying flavours. Just good. Crowd pleasing. It’s a family favourite waiting to happen…
mexican pork and black bean stew
Ingredients
- 4 lbs boneless pork shoulder cut into one inch cubes
- 2 1/4 cups dried black beans or 3 15 ounce cans, drained
- 2 large white onions sliced into one inch thick slices
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1 28 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes - I like Muir Glen if you can get them
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp New Mexican red chili powder - any mild pure chili powder works. Cayenne is not mild!
- 2 tsp salt (plus more at the end to season to taste)
- 1/2 cup diced jalapeno - seeded with all membranes removed
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil - any neutral oil will do
- 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano - don't substitute Italian oregano. If you don't have it, leave it out.
- 4 cups low sodium chicken stock
- 1/2 lime, juiced
- 1 handful chopped cilantro
Instructions
- If using dried black beans cook until tender. I use a pressure cooker with lots of water for 22 minutes. After they pressure cook I let them simmer another 15-20 minutes until just tender. You can cook them any way you like or just use canned.
- If you think of it, salt the pork liberally the night before. If not, no big deal. But it's a nice touch if you do.
- Heat the oil in a large (like 6-7 quart) pot or dutch oven. Brown the pork in batches. It will take 3 or 4 batches to get through all of them. Don't crowd your pork. Add more oil as required. Remove the pork and set aside.
- While the pork is browning, heat a comal or cast iron frying pan over medium heat. Dry roast the onion slices and garlic. You want them to be a bit charred. Not full on burned. Just a bit of dark brown and softened through. This adds a nice depth of flavour.
- Coarsely chop the onion. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, salt and half the tomatoes with half the juices to a blender. Puree until smooth. Put the tomatoes and their juices in the bottom. This will make it easier on the blender. Add a bit of water if it won't go.
- Add enough oil to get to about 4 Tbsp if needed. You should already have enough but if you don't top it up a bit. Add the jalapeño and fry gently until softened, about 1 minute. Add the onion mixture, turn the heat up to medium and fry for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Return the pork to the pot along with any accumulated juices. Add the chicken stock. Dice the remaining tomatoes and add them to the pot. Don't add the remaining tomato juice in the can. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the pork is tender, about an hour to 70 minutes.
- Add the black beans and simmer 10 minutes.
- Add a squeeze of lime and the cilantro and simmer another 5 minutes. Adjust salt. You will probably need to add somewhere around another tsp or so.
- Serve with additional lime wedges, a bit of finely diced jalapeño and corn tortillas.
Made this last weekend. It was delicious. I did alter one thing. I cut up my pork and used the fat pieces to render down for my oil. One it’s fee drippings and second it makes delicious little crunchy snacks. The chilis I used were a morita chili. A little smokey but not hot. They were absolutely excellent. Also I simmered lid off for about 2 hrs. My final product is thick enough to add to an egg taco with a bit of cilantro.
Sounds awesome. Nothing like a little rendered pork fat!
Fantastic! The flavors are wonderful. Will definitely make this again and pass it on.
Please do! This one is one of my all time favourites and I want everyone to try it:-)
I’ve hated beans all my life and recently discovered bean dip can be really good so wanted to try another bean recipe. This recipe was my first experiment, but I used giant fava beans, and OMG it is so so good. I went for seconds and once finished immediately write it into my favourite recipe collection. I cannot believe how delicious this meal is.
I love beans so very happy to hear I’m helping!
This is the sleeper recipe on the blog. I make this one for guests (and for myself:-) quite often and it’s always a hit.
This is what I did. I added Mexican sausage made in meatballs in place of the pork, and I added pasta at the very end, and I made it all in the instant pot. It was so delicious.
For the Instant Pot, Only If using dried black beans:
Use an instant pot with the dried beans, water and baking Soda for 5 minutes. QPR. Then drain and rinse. Re-add the beans and broth or fresh water + 4 to 6 pork bouillons to the IP, add the sausage, and jalapeño, the onion mixture, 6 cups water, 3 pork bouillon and cover, seal and cook 40 minutes. NPR UNTIL SEAL LOWERS, QPR. Add pasta, cover, seal and cook 4 minutes. QPR. Stir in tomatoes, lime juice and cilantro. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of your favorite cheese
Okay, I made mine in the instant pot from beginning to end with dried beans, and I used Mexican sausage made into little meatballs and then I added hominy and at the end added pasta to it also, but everything else was the same. It took 45 minutes to make it the instant pot, mostly for the dried beans, + 4 minutes more for The gluten-free pasta. It was so delicious.
Fun twist! I am going to have to try this one in my pressure cooker. This one is a house favourite and if I could make it work in 45 minutes I’d eat even more of it!
Just made this and it is wonderful! Mom and I are huge fans of Diana Kennedy also! We use her molè recipe quite often…. we love her cookbook …
Thank you for this recipe, it is now one of our favorites!
I keep coming back to this one over and over. House favourite here too!
Hi, my favorite black beans just got better, delicious! One question, do you add the black beans with the water were they were cooked?
Delighted you enjoyed it. This is one of my favourite things on the whole blog so I’m always happy when people discover it.
The black beans are drained.
Just made this, followed the recipe exactly, and turned out delicious!! Thank you!
Delighted you enjoyed it. It’s one of my favourites.
I’ve looked this recipe up online because the recipe on the bean bag wasn’t all that and oh my God this is so heavenly it will be a monthly staple in my household! Thank you so very much for the fiesta in my mouth!!!
I am delighted to hear you enjoyed it. I’ve just picked up the ingredients to make it myself. It’s turning to braising season here.
I just made this and oh my! No substitutions. It is amazing! My husband was telling me how when he was a kid his mom used to make a dish for him with black beans and pork so I took to the web and found this recipe. Thank you so much. You just took my husband back to his childhood.
Delighted to hear that. I love the combo of flavours in this one too!
This recipe hits so many great notes from the flavorful sauce to the tender pork. It’s exactly what you need on a cold winters night! Thank you for sharing 🙂
You are very welcome. It’s one I keep coming back to again and again. In fact, I think I need to make it this weekend!
Making now but flavor and smell omg!!
Awesome!
I love this recipe! Made it the first time while living in the Yucatan. Making it again tonight! I serve with a side of rice just to soak up all the lovely sauce and of course corn tortillas!
That’s great to hear! It’s a house favourite around here. In fact, I think it’s going to be on the menu next week:-)
We loved this recipe! I didn’t change anything. Served them on low-carb flour tortillas, cheese, and sour cream. It’s a keeper! Thanks
It’s one of my favourite recipes. Doesn’t seem to get much love on the blog (I suspect because it isn’t an Asian/Indian recipe) so I’m super happy to hear you liked it!