Serves 8
135 min
Pork in Adobo Sauce
Recipe GLPR162c5c20c76e4d
A rich Mediterranean-inspired braise of tender pork shoulder and ribs simmered in a deeply savory adobo sauce made from roasted garlic, smoky paprika, cumin, and oregano. The pork becomes fall-apart tender as it cooks gently in the aromatic sauce, creating a dish perfect for feeding a crowd.
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Ingredients
1 head of garlic, cloves peeled and halved
1/3 cup sweet paprika
1/4 cup ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 1/3 cups sherry vinegar
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 1/4 pounds boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2-by-1-inch strips
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
4 pounds baby back ribs, cut into individual ribs
6 cup About 6 cups water
Directions
Combine the paprika, cumin, and oregano in a small bowl to create the spice blend.
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the halved garlic cloves and toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and lightly golden.
Add the spice blend to the pot and stir constantly for about 1 minute to bloom the spices and deepen their flavor.
Pour in the sherry vinegar and scrape the bottom of the pot to lift any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Add the pork shoulder strips and individual baby back ribs to the pot. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Add about 6 cups of water, enough to barely cover the pork. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
Cover the pot and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the pork is extremely tender and easily pierces with a fork. Stir occasionally and adjust the liquid level if needed—the pork should remain mostly submerged.
Once the pork is fall-apart tender and internal temperature reaches 190°F at the thickest point, remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Serve the pork in bowls with the adobo sauce spooned over the top. The sauce will have reduced and concentrated, coating the tender meat in rich, aromatic flavor.
