Spice Pork Recipe
Make Spice Pork Recipe in just 55m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pork and Marinade
Cooking & Finishing
Method
Pork and Marinade
Prepare Pork
Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut into roughly 1-inch cubes. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels—dry meat sears better.
Make Marinade
In a large bowl combine kosher salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, minced garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, and brown sugar. Whisk until sugar dissolves and spices are evenly distributed.
Marinate
Add the cubed pork to the marinade and stir to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. If short on time, marinate 30 minutes; for best flavor, marinate 2–4 hours.
Cooking & Finishing
Preheat and Sear
Heat a large heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the vegetable oil and swirl. Remove pork from marinade (reserve marinade) and working in a single layer (do not overcrowd), sear pork cubes until well browned on all sides, about 2–3 minutes per side. Transfer seared pieces to a plate and repeat until all pork is browned.
Sauté Onion
Reduce heat to medium. Add the sliced onion to the same pan and sauté for 4–5 minutes, scraping up browned bits, until softened and beginning to caramelize. If pan is dry, add the measured broth tablespoon by tablespoon to deglaze and loosen fond.
Simmer Pork
Return the seared pork and any accumulated juices to the pan. Pour the reserved marinade over the pork and add the remaining 3 tablespoons of chicken or pork broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until pork is tender and internal pieces reach at least 145°F (63°C) and are fork-tender, about 12–18 minutes depending on cube size. Stir once halfway through.
Finish and Glaze
Uncover and increase heat to medium-high to reduce the sauce slightly, about 2–4 minutes. If using honey, stir it in now for a shine and slight glaze, tasting and adjusting seasoning with additional salt or lime juice if needed.
Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the pork and serve with lime wedges. Serve immediately with rice, flatbreads, or roasted vegetables.