A mouthwatering pork dish, simmered in a rich and tangy tomato sauce.
Afritada is a Filipino dish that typically features a tomato-based sauce sweetened with carrots and bell peppers. Some versions even include pineapple chunks for an added touch of sweetness. The dish is infused with the flavors of the Philippines through the use of fragrant onions, abundant garlic, and the distinctive taste of fish sauce or soy sauce.
You can add veggies like potatoes, green peas, hotdogs, or sausages to this pork afritada recipe to make it even more filling and colorful. The meat, whether it's chicken, pork, or beef, is slow-cooked until it becomes incredibly tender and is then paired with a generous portion of steaming white rice.
With its Spanish roots, the word fritada derives from the term “fried”.
The first step of the dish involves browning the meat to achieve a nice golden brown color. With its rich and savory taste, Pork Afritada, or Afritadang Baboy, has become a beloved favorite in Filipino households, a dish that brings back cherished memories from childhood.
It's a crowd-pleaser with its yummy tomato sauce, veggies, and tender meat. A must-have for fiestas, birthdays, and family hangouts. Trust me, this dish is a winner!
Step by Step photos
Step 1: Season the pork cubes with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Fry the carrots and potatoes in oil until lightly browned, then set them aside.
Step 3: In the same pan, sear the pork cubes until all sides are browned.
Step 4: Sauté the garlic, onions, and fish sauce in the pan with the pork.
Step 5: Pour tomato sauce into the pan, aloing with the tomato paste, hot dogs, green peas, bay leaves, water or broth, and soy sauce. Stir and bring to a boil. Simmer for 40-45 minutes.
Step 6: Add the fried carrots and potatoes. Simmer for another 5-7 minutes.
Step 7: Toss in the bell peppers and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
Step 8: one final sautée
Step 9: serve hot with rice
Alternatives
Are there any other types of meat I can use besides pork?
Chicken is the most common alternative for afritada. Depending on your taste, you can use beef, mussels, or fish as alternatives.
What can I use instead of tomato sauce?
There are three choices to consider for enhancing the flavor: tomato ketchup, banana ketchup, or simmered diced tomatoes until they become thick. Additionally, some people choose to create their own tomato sauce by gently boiling fresh tomatoes with water until they achieve the desired thickness.
The ingredients list
- Pork shoulder – A versatile cut, ideal for braising and slow cooking.
- Salt, black pepper – For seasoning.
- Oil – To brown the meat and vegetables.
- Carrots, potatoes, hotdogs, green peas, bell peppers– Add color, flavor, and make the dish more filling.
- Onion and garlic – Aromatics that are essential in Filipino cooking.
- Fish sauce – Adds umami and removes any gamey pork odor.
- Tomato sauce – Forms the rich base of the dish.
- Tomato paste – Deepens the flavor of the sauce and thickens it.
- Dried bay leaves – Add a subtle earthy, peppery taste and keep the sauce from being too heavy.
- Water or pork broth – Helps braise the pork and prevent the sauce from thickening too much.
- Dark soy sauce – Adds a touch of umami and depth to the sauce.
Quick tips
- Stir the pork regularly while braising to avoid burning and to keep the sauce from drying out. If the consistency appears too thick, you can adjust it by adding additional water or broth.
- Make sure to check the pork every 20-30 minutes to see if it's tender. Larger pieces will take longer to cook, so adjust the time accordingly.
- If the sauce is too thin, just mix 1 tablespoon of potato starch or flour with 2 tablespoons of water to thicken it up. Mix it in the pot and wait for it to thicken.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container once the dish has cooled to room temperature. Leftovers will keep for about 2 weeks in the fridge and up to a month in the freezer. Thaw before reheating, either in a pan or the microwave, and make sure it’s piping hot before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you add other vegetables to the dish?
Absolutely! Expand your vegetable options beyond the usual potatoes, carrots, and green peas by incorporating chickpeas, beans, or any other root vegetables of your choice.
What’s the difference between Afritada, Kaldereta, Mechado, and Menudo?
While all of these are tomato-based dishes, there are key differences.
- Afritada is Spanish-influenced, typically made with chicken or pork.
- Kaldereta is often made with beef or goat, and includes liver paste, olives, and sometimes hot peppers.
- Mechado features beef, braised with soy sauce and calamansi.
- Menudo is a Filipino stew made with pork liver and potatoes.
How can I make sure the pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender?
The size of your pork cubes will affect the final texture and tenderness of the dish. Larger pieces, measuring around 2 inches, require at least an hour for the meat to become tender, while smaller cubes of about 1 inch size can be cooked to perfection in just 30-40 minutes. To check if it's done, pierce a piece of pork with a fork and feel how easily it falls apart.
Pork Afritada
This Pork Afritada recipe provides simple, step-by-step instructions to help you recreate a classic Filipino dish. With tips like browning the pork and adjusting sauce thickness, it’s perfect for any cook. Though it takes time to simmer, the effort results in a flavorful, hearty meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1.6 kg pork shoulder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 small carrots
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 5-7 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2-3 hotdogs or sausages, sliced
- 10 oz tomato sauce
- 2/3 cup green peas
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 2-3 cups water or pork broth
- 2-3 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped into bite-sized pieces
Instructions
- Chop the pork shoulder into 1-2 inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
- Slice the carrots and potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the carrots and potatoes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, heat another tablespoon of oil. Brown the pork in batches, making sure to sear all sides until charred.
- Add the browned pork back into the pan. Toss in the garlic, onions, and fish sauce. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Add the hotdogs, tomato sauce, green peas, tomato paste, bay leaves, water (or pork broth), and soy sauce. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 40-45 minutes. Stir occasionally and add more water if the sauce thickens too much.
- Add the carrots and potatoes back to the pot and simmer for another 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Stir in the chopped bell peppers and let cook for another 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
