• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Beyond Mere Sustenance logo
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home • Main Dishes • Pork Adobo

    Pork Adobo

    Published: Aug 30, 2022 · Last Modified: Jan 24, 2023 by Beyond Mere Sustenance with 2 Comments· This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

    Share this post!

    137 shares
    • Share74
    • Twitter

    This post may contain affiliate links, see my Privacy Policy and Disclosure Statement

    Peruvian Pork Adobo - adobo de chancho - is a traditional dish from southern Peru. My version of this spicy pork stew features pork loin, ají panca paste (a Peruvian pepper paste), and Peruvian chicha de jora (corn beer). Served with rice and sweet potatoes, it's spicy, Peruvian comfort food!

    Two black stoneware bowls of Peruvian pork adobo with Peruvian rice and sweet potatoes.
    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - About Peruvian Adobo
    • 📋 Ingredients You'll Need
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 💭 Tips
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 🥘 More Peruvian Mains
    • 💬 Comments

    👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - About Peruvian Adobo

    A bowl of adobo de chancho at El Rey in Cuzco.

    This was our fourth trip to Peru, and though our guides (Jim and Gladys) had talked up Peruvian adobo on all of them, it wasn't until our last full day in Peru that we finally walked to the far side of Cuzco with our friends to a local picanteria to try it. We ended up at El Rey, a noisy (and very busy!) place full of local Cuzqueños.

    We LOVED our first experience with Peruvian pork adobo, and I was highly motivated to try making it at home. My only concern was finding the chicha de jora. I initially ordered this chicha from Amazon. It's $11.99 a bottle - a price I was willing to pay given my very strong desire to make this Peruvian stew. Imagine my delight when I texted my friend Ruben at Ruben's Grocery, and he told me they carry it! We got 4 huge bottles for $20.00!

    So, I was super excited to get working on this pork adobo recipe, and really pleased with the results. It's more like a "labor of love." This Peruvian pork adobo recipe is NOT AN IMPULSE RECIPE! Marinating the pork overnight (24 hours ideally!) is key to developing the flavor in the dish.

    If you love to try new recipes, with emphasis on global and somewhat unique recipes, this is a recipe for you! BONUS: Three pounds of pork serves 12 people (8 or 9 big appetites)! It freezes well. We've got a few more meals coming out of this one cooking session!

    What is chicha?

    Chicha is an ancient fermented drink indigenous to many cultures ranging from the Andes up to what is now the southwestern United States, and is not to be confused with chicha morada (a nonalcoholic purple corn drink).I've spent a lot of time in the Peruvian Andes, and it's definitely "a thing." You're more likely to find chicha in a village than a store; chicherias are often (if not mostly) identified by a red flag hanging outside the establishment.

    📋 Ingredients You'll Need

    Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

    Pork Marinade

    Ingredients for the pork adobo: Pork, chicha, onion, garlic, spices.
    • pork - I prefer a boneless cut, and use pork loin in the interest of reducing fat and calories. I do need to mention that pork loin tends to be a little dry even when braised. If you are looking for melt-in-your-mouth succulence, go for pork shoulder instead.
    • chicha de jora - You may find chicha de jora (Peruvian corn beer) at your local Latin foods market, but if not, you can order chicha on Amazon. If neither is a good option for you, substitute hard cider or kombucha. You want a tart, fruity flavor with a hint of spice.
    • ají panca paste - Ají panca paste is another item that is likely to be found at a Latin foods market, and you can buy ají panca paste on Amazon. There really is no substitute. It has a rich, earthy flavor with very subtle heat...
    • red onions - Peruvians use a LOT of red onions, but you can substitute yellow, sweet, or white.
    • garlic
    • peppercorns
    • oregano leaves
    • ground cumin
    • cinnamon stick
    • cloves
    • bay leaves

    For the Pork Adobo

    • cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaves, and marinade - Reserve after marinating. Don't discard!
    • red onion - Yes, you need red onions twice for this adobo recipe - In the marinade, they get puréed, and in the finished dish, red onion wedges get simmered with the pork.
    • rocoto pepper - I buy frozen rocoto peppers at Ruben's - our local Latin foods market. For a few weeks each year, I can get fresh manzano peppers (nearly identical to rocoto). I have also used these rocoto peppers in a jar. A little of these spicy peppers goes a long way. I use one frozen rocoto in the entire pot! If you can't find them, substitute a Scotch bonnet/habanero (if you dare!), serrano, etc.

    To Finish and Serve

    • chicken broth/stock - If the adobo is dry, add chicken broth or stock. This is not a soup, but there should be a generous amount of liquid.
    • rice - Peruvians love their carbs! Serve this with simple Peruvian rice or white rice.
    • boiled sweet potatoes - Boil hunks of sweet potato until tender.
    • salsa criolla - I love salsa criolla with just about any Peruvian meat or poultry. I didn't make it on photo day, but trust me, it's good.

    🔪 Instructions

    Ingredients for the adobo marinade in a cast iron Dutch oven.
    • Make the marinade - I make the marinade in the pot that I plan to cook the adobo in. This is up to you! Add the marinade ingredients to the pot. Stir well to combine.
    Step 2 - Add the pork loin pieces to the adobo marinade.
    • Marinate the pork - Add the pork chunks. I cut them in fairly large pieces as this is a rustic dish, and I'm looking to recreate the dish I had in Cuzco... Marinate at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
    Step 3 - Blend the marinade ingredients until smooth.
    • Purée the marinade - Remove the pork pieces from the marinade, pat them dry, and set them aside. Before adding the marinade to the blender, remove the bay leaves. Pulse until smooth. The peppercorns will require a little extra time.
    Step 4 - Brown the pork, then pour the marinade over top. Simmer.
    • Cook the pork - After patting excess marinade from the pork, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the pork on two sides, then pour the puréed marinade over top. Add the bay leaves back in, along with the cloves and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover, and cook about 75 minutes. NOTE: Check the liquid level periodically. Add chicken broth if it appears dry.
    Step 5 - Add the cloves, cinnamon stick, onion wedges, and bay leaves to the Dutch oven with pork and marinade.
    • Finish the pork adobo - Add the onion wedges, the rocoto pepper (or substitute), and salt. Simmer covered until pork is tender - about 45 minutes. Check seasoning. NOTE: We witnessed this in Cuzco - Use a ladle to smash the rocoto into the pot to spread the heat around. If you prefer a milder adobo, avoid this step! My husband and I like the heat, and 1 rocoto was plenty! We did smoosh it into the adobo...
    The completed pot of pork adobo in the cast iron Dutch oven.
    • To serve - I like shallow bowls for this dish. If serving with rice, plate a scoop of rice. Add the sweet potatoes (if using), and then ladle pork and onions with plenty of liquid. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro, mint, oregano, etc.
    A plated bowl of pork adobo with rice and sweet potatoes.
    Serving suggestion: Peruvian rice with the pork adobo, and boiled sweet potatoes...

    ❓ FAQ

    What can I substitute for chicha de jora?

    The best substitute is hard cider. It has the tartness like corn beer. A dry kombucha is another decent option. If all else fails, use a light lager (like Corona) and add ¼ cup vinegar.

    What can I substitute for the rocoto pepper?

    Ají rocoto peppers are HOT! If you're not a fan of spicy peppers, omit them entirely. Otherwise, you can substitute jalapeños, serranos, or Fresno chiles depending on your preferred heat level.

    💭 Tips

    If you can't get chicha, all is not lost! Hard apple cider and apple kombucha are good substitutes. You can also use a lager beer and ¼ cup of red wine vinegar.

    Leftovers are awesome! I'm cooking for two, and we will get several meals out of the 3 pounds of pork loin. Store in freezer bags for up to 3 months with plenty of the marinade/liquid.

    If you're concerned about fishing out the whole spices, wrap them up in a cheesecloth bag for easy removal. The 3 bay leaves are easy to remove from the marinade (return them for cooking). My food processor makes quick work of the peppercorns. You do want to remove the bay leaves, cloves, and cinnamon stick before serving!

    I hope this recipe doesn't look intimidating? The marinade takes just minutes to make, and the bulk of the time is inactive. The ingredients may be more challenging to find, but if you're interested in cooking Peruvian food, this is a winner!

    Signature in red and green with chiles and limes. Healthyish Latin cuisine.

    📖 Recipe

    A bowl of pork adobo (adobo de chancho) with rice and sweet potatoes, flatware, and a print napkin.

    Peruvian Pork Adobo (adobo de chancho)

    Tamara Andersen
    This Peruvian-style adobo features tender pork in a flavorful broth based on chicha (corn beer) and ají panca (a mild, earthy Peruvian pepper). Delicioso!
    Dairy Free
    Gluten Free
    5 from 4 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSave Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 hrs
    Cook Time 2 hrs
    Marinate 12 hrs
    Total Time 1 d 10 hrs
    Course Main Dishes
    Cuisine Peruvian
    Servings 9 servings
    Calories 317 kcal

    Useful Equipment

    • cast iron Dutch oven

    Ingredients

    Marinate the Pork

    • 16 ounces chicha de jora - see Ingredients in Post for substitutions
    • 2 red onions - sliced thin
    • 3 tablespoons ají panca paste
    • 16 ounces chicha de jora - see Ingredients in Post for substitutions
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoons garlic - minced (about 6 cloves)
    • 3 pounds boneless pork - cut in chunks; see Ingredients in Post

    Pork Adobo

    • 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
    • marinade - puréed
    • marinated pork chunks - patted dry
    • 3 whole cloves
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 3 bay leaves - fresh if possible!
    • 2 red onions - cut in wedges
    • 1 rocoto pepper - see Ingredients in Post for substitutions
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt and fresh ground pepper - to taste

    Instructions

    Marinate the Pork

    • Add all marinade ingredients to a large pot/Dutch oven. Stir to combine.
    • Add the prepared pork chunks. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate 8 to 24 hours. Overnight is ideal.

    Making the Pork Adobo

    • Remove the pork pieces from the marinade, pat them dry, and set them aside. Before adding the marinade to the blender, remove the bay leaves. Pulse until smooth.
    • Wipe out the liquid from the pot. Add vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the pork on two sides, then pour the puréed marinade over top. Add the bay leaves back in, along with the cloves and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover, and cook about 75 minutes.
    • Add the onion wedges, the rocoto pepper (or substitute), and salt. Simmer covered until pork is tender - about 45 minutes. Check seasoning. 
    • To serve: Remove bay leaves, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Mash the rocoto if more heat is desired; remove if not. Serve with rice and sweet potatoes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 8g

    NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or star rating! Email us with any questions: tamara@beyondmeresustenance.com

    🥘 More Peruvian Mains

    • Peruvian Roasted Chicken with Spicy Cilantro Sauce
    • The Best Arroz Chaufa
    • Tacu Tacu Recipe
    • Quinoa Chaufa
    • Peruvian Beef Stew (Seco de Carne)
    • Pollo Saltado
    • Slow Cooker Peruvian Lamb Stew
    • Peruvian Beans
    • Peruvian Scallops
    • Ají de Gallina (Spicy Peruvian Chicken Stew)
    • Peruvian Chicken and Rice
    • Baked Peruvian Meatballs

    More Healthy and Healthyish Main Dish Recipes

    • Easy Mexican Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
    • Spicy Gochujang Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
    • Spanish Stuffed Mini Peppers
    • Creamy Green Chile Chicken Soup

    Share this post!

    137 shares
    • Share74
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mark says

      September 24, 2022 at 8:16 am

      This really does come very close to what we had al El Rey in Cuzco. This is traditionally a lunch dish, and lunch is the big meal of the day in Peru.

      Reply
      • Beyond Mere Sustenance says

        September 25, 2022 at 5:52 pm

        It's definitely a favorite at Andersen casa!

        Reply

    I'd love to hear from you! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Tamara Andersen in floral top in front of ficus tree.
    Cuzco, Peru in 2022...

    A Little About Me

    Hola from the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas! I'm Tamara, the recipe developer, cocktail mixologist, photographer, and writer behind Beyond Mere Sustenance. Read more→

    Popular Recipes

    • Homemade Tajín Recipe (Copy Cat)
    • Peruvian Beans
    • Moroccan Carrot Salad With Lemon Dressing
    • Curried Okra and Eggplant with Chick Peas

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy and Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Get in Touch

    Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset the costs of maintaining my blog and creating awesome content! 😊

    Copyright © 2022 Beyond Mere Sustenance