Craving Comfort? Easy Pork Caldereta Recipe You'll Devour!
Dive into the rich and savory flavors of this Ultimate Pork Caldereta Recipe! This classic Filipino stew features tender pork simmered in a vibrant tomato sauce with potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, and olives. Perfect for family dinners and special occasions, this easy-to-follow recipe guarantees a delicious and authentic taste of Filipino comfort food. Get ready to impress with this flavorful and satisfying Pork Caldereta!
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven For simmering the stew
- 1 Large Skillet For searing the pork (optional)
- 1 Chopping Board For prepping vegetables and pork
- 1 Knife For chopping ingredients
Ingredients
Pork Caldereta Ingredients
- 2 lbs Pork Shoulder or Butt cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp Cooking Oil vegetable or canola oil
- 1 large Onion chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 inch Ginger grated (optional)
- 1 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes canned
- 1 cup Tomato Sauce canned or boxed
- 1/2 cup Liver Spread or pate
- 1/4 cup Soy Sauce low sodium
- 1 cup Water or Beef Broth adjust as needed
- 2 medium Potatoes peeled and cubed
- 2 medium Carrots peeled and sliced
- 1 large Red Bell Pepper sliced
- 1 large Green Bell Pepper sliced
- 1/2 cup Green Olives pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup Raisins optional, for sweetness
- 2 tbsp Vinegar white or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Fish Sauce (Patis) or salt to taste
- 1 tsp Sugar or to taste, optional
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
- 2-3 pcs Bay Leaves optional
Instructions
- If desired, sear the pork for richer flavor: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork cubes in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot or Dutch oven, heat remaining oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened, then add garlic and ginger (if using) and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce to the pot. Stir in liver spread and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer, stirring until liver spread is dissolved.
- Return the seared pork (or raw pork) to the pot. Add vinegar, fish sauce, sugar (if using), black pepper, and bay leaves (if using). Pour in water or beef broth, enough to almost cover the pork. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until pork is very tender.
- Add potatoes and carrots to the stew. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes and carrots are almost tender. Add bell peppers, green olives, and raisins (if using). Cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp and sauce has thickened slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more fish sauce, sugar, or vinegar to your preference. Simmer uncovered for a few more minutes if you want to thicken the sauce further. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Notes
Chef's Tip: For an extra layer of flavor, marinate the pork in soy sauce and calamansi juice for at least 30 minutes before cooking. You can also add a splash of red wine vinegar for added tanginess.
Spice Level: For a spicier Caldereta, add a chopped chili or a pinch of chili flakes along with the aromatics.
Serving Suggestions: Pork Caldereta is best served with hot steamed rice. It's also delicious with crusty bread for soaking up the flavorful sauce.