Chipotle Pork and Sweet Potato Stew
A smoky, slightly spicy stew featuring tender pork and sweet potatoes in a rich chipotle-tomato sauce. Quick, nutritious, and freezer-friendly, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Equipment
- 1 blender
- 1 Pressure cooker or Instant Pot
- 1 Medium Skillet (optional)
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Zip-Top Freezer Bag or Container (if freezing)
Ingredients
- 1 large white onion peeled and quartered
- 3 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 14-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo plus 2 tsp sauce
- 1½ lb pork tenderloin cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large sweet potato peeled and diced into 1-inch chunks
- 1 small handful cilantro roughly chopped
- 1 –2 limes for juice and serving
- Pickled jalapeños optional, for serving
- Avocado slices optional, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Aromatic Vegetables: Start by prepping your vegetables. Peel and quarter the large white onion, then peel the garlic cloves. If you prefer a slightly milder garlic flavor, you can slice the cloves instead of leaving them whole. Having your vegetables ready ensures the flavors infuse evenly in the stew and speeds up cooking.
- Blend the Flavor Base: Place the prepared onion and garlic into a blender. Add the smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, and sea salt. Next, pour in the can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes along with the chipotle pepper and two teaspoons of adobo sauce. Blend everything on high until you achieve a mostly smooth, vibrant sauce. This forms a smoky, spicy base that will coat the pork and sweet potatoes perfectly.
- Optional Sauté for Extra Depth: For added flavor, you can sauté the aromatics before blending. Heat one teaspoon of avocado or olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the quartered onion and cook until golden brown, about 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, and coriander, and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Then transfer the sautéed mixture into the blender with the tomatoes, chipotle, and adobo sauce. Blend until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients for Cooking: If cooking immediately, pour the blended sauce into the insert of your pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Add the cubed pork tenderloin and diced sweet potato, gently stirring to ensure everything is evenly coated. If freezing for later, combine the sauce, pork, and sweet potatoes in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container. Label with the date, then store in the freezer. When ready to cook, simply transfer frozen contents directly to the pressure cooker—no need to thaw.
- Pressure Cook the Stew: Secure the lid of the pressure cooker and ensure the valve is set to “sealing.” Set the cooker to high pressure for 8 minutes. This brief but intense cooking will tenderize the pork and cook the sweet potatoes to a perfect consistency without turning them mushy.
- Release Pressure Safely: Once the 8-minute cook time is complete, turn off the cooker. Using a thick kitchen towel to protect your hand and keeping your face away from the valve, carefully turn the valve to “venting” to release the pressure naturally. This step prevents any sudden steam bursts and keeps the stew intact.
- Add Fresh Finishing Touches: Open the pressure cooker and stir in a small handful of roughly chopped fresh cilantro. Squeeze the juice of one lime directly into the stew, tasting to see if you want more brightness. These fresh ingredients enhance the flavor profile, balancing the smoky heat with herbal and citrus notes.
- Serve with Optional Toppings: Ladle the stew into bowls and offer optional toppings such as sliced avocado, pickled jalapeños, and additional lime wedges. These not only add texture and color but also elevate the flavors with creamy, tangy, and spicy contrasts.
- Storage and Meal Prep: Leftover stew can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. This makes the stew excellent for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.
- Tips for Perfect Results: Ensure pork pieces are roughly uniform in size to cook evenly.Don’t over-blend the sauce; a few small chunks of onion or tomato add texture.Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chipotle depending on your heat preference.Sautéing the aromatics is optional but adds a deeper, roasted flavor.
Notes
- This stew is versatile: you can cook it immediately or freeze it for later without affecting flavor or texture.
- Sweet potatoes add natural sweetness, fiber, and nutrients, balancing the smoky, spicy chipotle flavor.
- Pork tenderloin cooks quickly under pressure and remains juicy; avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.
- For a deeper flavor, sautéing the onion and garlic before blending is optional but recommended.
- The recipe is naturally gluten-free and high in protein, making it ideal for balanced, healthy meals.
