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Delicious Pork and Sweet Potato Stew Recipe

Warm up your dinner table with a comforting bowl of Pork and Sweet Potato Stew, a dish that’s sure to become a family favorite!

This hearty stew combines tender pork chunks with sweet potatoes, creating a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors. As it simmers, the ingredients meld together, allowing the spices to infuse every bite with warmth and depth. 

Check out our other delicious recipes for pork to discover more ways to enjoy this versatile meat!

Perfect for chilly evenings, this stew not only satisfies your hunger but also fills your home with a mouthwatering aroma. 

What is the best cut of pork for stew?

The best cut of pork for stew is typically pork shoulder (aka: also known as pork butt or Boston butt). This cut is well-marbled with fat, which helps keep the meat tender and juicy during the slow cooking process. It becomes incredibly flavorful and easy to shred as it cooks down. 

Pork tenderloin can also be used, but it’s leaner and may dry out if cooked for too long. 

pork and sweet potato stew


What are the ingredients for pork stew?

  • Chunks of pork shoulder or pork loin are commonly used for their tenderness.
  • Peeled and diced sweet potatoes
  • Vegetables – common choices are carrots, celery, and onions to add flavor and texture.
  • Minced garlic for added depth of flavor.
  • Chicken or vegetable broth to provide a flavorful base.
  • Herbs and Spices – Common additions include thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
  • Diced tomatoes (canned or fresh) for a touch of acidity and sweetness.
  • For browning the pork and sautéing the vegetables.
  • Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand!
pork and sweet potato stew

How to Cook Pork Stew Meat on the Stove

  • To cook pork stew meat on the stove, start by searing cubes of pork in a pot with olive oil until browned. Then, sauté chopped onion and minced garlic in the same pot, followed by deglazing it with broth.
  • Finally, add the seared pork back in along with carrots, potatoes, celery, herbs and remaining ingredients. 
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the pork is tender and the flavors are well combined.
  • Stir occasionally, adding more broth or water if needed. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for longer storage.

What are some tips for making pork stew?

  • Choose the right cut of meat.  
  • Sear the pork in batches to develop a rich flavor before adding other ingredients.
  • After browning the meat, deglaze the pot with broth or wine to scrape up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom.
  • Fresh herbs and vegetables enhance the flavor; consider adding thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
  • Allow the stew to simmer gently for a few hours, letting the flavors meld and the meat tenderize.

What to Serve with Pork Sweet Potato Stew 

Warm, crusty bread or rolls are ideal for soaking up the flavorful broth, while serving the stew over rice, egg noodles or quinoa creates a hearty meal. Creamy mashed potatoes also make a comforting side that complements the stew’s flavors.

Mix and match these sides to create a well-rounded meal that suits your taste!

Does pork get more tender the longer you simmer it? 

Yes, pork does get more tender the longer you simmer it, especially tougher cuts like pork shoulder.

If you’re loving the hearty goodness this stew, try more delicious options like our collection of comforting dinner recipes or savor some delightful soup recipes perfect for chilly nights. Don’t miss out on our Slow Cooker Beef Stew for an effortless meal that fills the home with mouthwatering aromas. And for a classic favorite, check out our juicy pork chops recipes that promise to impress at any dinner table.

Pork and Sweet Potato Stew

Pork and Sweet Potato Stew

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

This Pork and Sweet Potato Stew is the perfect way to warm up your dinner table!

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium red onion, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1¼ lb pork tenderloin, cut into 1” cubes
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” cubes
  • 1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp italian seasonings
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 14-oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, divided

Instructions

    1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
    2. Add red onion, celery, and garlic. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine.
    3. Cook, stirring frequently, until the veggies soften and develop a bit of color, approximately 3-4 minutes. 
    4. Add pork tenderloin and sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat begins to brown, around 2-3 minutes. 
    5. Add black beans and spices and stir to combine. Cook for another 30 seconds, or just until the spices become fragrant. Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
    6. Add crushed tomatoes and chicken stock and increase heat to high. Bring to boil, and then reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until pork is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are fork-tender, approximately 13-15 minutes.
    7. Remove your Pork and Sweet Potato Stew Recipe from heat and discard bay leaves.
    8. Stir in 3 tablespoons of fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings, as desired. 
    9. Top pork and sweet potato stew with remaining fresh parsley for garnish and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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Oskar

Saturday 22nd of October 2022

This was really good with a couple of changes. I made some changes, but I believe that the recipe as written would be really good as well. Instead of tenderloin, I used pork loin. To make sure that it was well-cooked, I used an Instapot to cook the pork for 10 minutes (in the presence of all the other stuff). Also, I used less than the suggested amount of pork and used half a ring of kielbasa sliced into rings (because I needed to use it up). Also threw in some kale, again because it needed to be used. Didn't use any parsley because I didn't have any. Bottom line - really tasty.

Angela MacRae

Thursday 11th of October 2018

Im not a sweet pottoatoe lover but I have friends that would liek this recipe

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