Jamaican Pork Belly Stew with Sweet Potatoes
A rich and flavorful stew featuring tender pork belly simmered in a savory Jamaican-inspired sauce with sweet potatoes, aromatic spices, and a hint of scotch bonnet pepper for warmth.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Pork belly(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 6 minced Garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp Ginger(freshly grated)
- 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper(seeded and minced (optional, for heat))
- 4 fresh Thyme sprigs
- 1 tsp Allspice berries(crushed)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 4 cups Chicken broth
- 700 g Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into 1.5-inch chunks)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 chopped Scallions(for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the pork belly cubes dry and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Sear the pork belly in batches until browned on all sides. Remove pork and set aside.
- 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and minced scotch bonnet pepper (if using), and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. Return the seared pork belly to the pot.
- 5
Add the thyme sprigs and crushed allspice berries. Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the pork is mostly submerged. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 2 hours, or until the pork is very tender.
- 6
Add the sweet potato chunks to the pot. Stir to combine, cover, and continue to simmer for another 30-40 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- 7
Remove thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with chopped scallions.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For an even richer flavor, you can marinate the pork belly overnight in a mixture of allspice, thyme, and a little soy sauce.
- ✓If the sauce is too thin, you can remove the pork and sweet potatoes and simmer the sauce uncovered for a few minutes to reduce.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your preferred level of heat.
🔄 Variations
- Add other root vegetables like yams or dasheen for a heartier stew.
- Stir in a can of coconut milk during the last 30 minutes of cooking for a creamier sauce.