Spanish Pork Stew with Pancetta and Potatoes (Super Easy - 10 Minutes Prep)
This recipe is the ideal Sunday stew, prep work is minimal, simply chop your veg and meat, prep a herb bundle, and add all the ingredients to a large pot to simmer away for a few hours, stirring occasionally. This easy stew recipe can also be cooked in a crockpot or slow cooker.
Equipment
- Large pot with lid
- Wooden cutting board
- Chef knife
- Clay dish (for serving)
- Ladle
Ingredients
- 28 oz. 800g potatoes, cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 21 oz. 600g pork, cubed into 1-inch (2.5cm ) pieces
- 5 oz. 150g Pancetta Ibérico, cut into small chunks
- 3.5 oz. 100g Serrano Ham (either slices or a large piece)
- 1 large red onion sliced fine
- 4 carrots cut into 1-inch pieces
- ⅓ cup green Olives optional
- 1 jar roasted Piquillo Peppers 200ml
- Can of crushed tomatoes approx. 250ml
- 4 garlic cloves loosely chopped
- 150 ml white wine or red wine
- 10 threads of Saffron
- 1 tablespoon Jerez Sherry Vinegar for the saffron
- 1 Tbsp Spanish La Vera smoked paprika
- 6 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1 - Prep Veggies and Meat
- Cut all the veg into bite-size pieces, around 1 inch (2.5cm). Slice the onion into rounds or half rounds and add to a large pot.28 oz. 800g potatoes, cubed into 1-inch pieces, 1 large red onion, 4 carrots, ⅓ cup green Olives, 1 jar roasted Piquillo Peppers
- Loosely chop the garlic and add to the pot.4 garlic cloves
- Cube the pork into pieces of the same size as the veg and add them to the pot.21 oz. 600g pork, cubed into 1-inch (2.5cm ) pieces
- Slice the pancetta into small ¼ inch strips and stred the Serrano ham slices, add them to the pot.5 oz. 150g Pancetta Ibérico, cut into small chunks, 3.5 oz. 100g Serrano Ham (either slices or a large piece)
- (Note: If using a whole piece of serrano ham, cut into small ¼-inch cubes).
Step 2 - Add herbs, wine, and liquids
- Bundle the fresh rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves and tie together with string. (This tip makes removing the herb bundle easier once the cooking is finished).6 sprigs of fresh thyme, 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary, 2 bay leaves
- Add the smoked paprika, wine, water or chicken broth, and crushed tomatoes.Can of crushed tomatoes, 150 ml white wine, 1 Tbsp Spanish La Vera smoked paprika, 4 cups water, Salt and pepper
Step 3 - infuse the saffron
- Add the saffron threads and one tablespoon of Sherry vinegar to a small bowl.10 threads of Saffron, 1 tablespoon Jerez Sherry Vinegar
- Swirl the bowl and once the vinegar has infused with the saffron (around 2 minutes) it will be a rich yellow color. Add it all to the pot.
Step 4 - Simmer and serve
- Cover pot and bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat and leave to simmer covered for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once the stew is ready, serve in large bowls and garnish with some freshly chopped parsley. Best served alongside some fresh bread to mop up the delicious stew.Fresh chopped parsley
Notes
Cooking Tips:
Simmering time Simmer for at least 1-2 hours, or longer for best results. If you have the time, this recipe works great when simmered 4-5 hours as the fat in the pancetta reduces and makes the pork very tender and flavorful. If using a crockpot or slow cooker, use a low setting and cook for 7-8 hours. Go easy on the seasoning Serrano ham is a cured ham that has a strong flavor. It is very salty; when added to this recipe, you won't need to add much more salt for seasoning. Be sure to taste it before seasoning with any additional salt. Use chicken or Pork stock/broth instead of water Add layers of flavor with a rich homemade chicken stock or broth. Infuse the saffron Use vinegar or lemon juice to infuse the saffron before adding to any recipe. It only takes around 2-3 minutes for the saffron threads to release their vibrant color. Pancetta Ibérico Pancetta Ibérico is thre Spanish version of Italian Pancetta. It is prepared in the same way as Italian-style pancetta however it uses the prized Iberian pork from the Iberico pig breed (also used to make delicious jamon Ibérico). If you can’t source Spanish Pancetta Ibérico, ask your local butcher for some good quality Italian Pancetta instead.Cooking times for crockpots and slow cookers
- Low: Cook for 7–8 hours.
- High: Cook for 4–5 hours.
Cooking time for Stovetop simmer
- Very low simmer: 3-4 hours
- Medium simmer: 1-2 hours