Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Persimmon›Pork Arepas Recipe

Pork Arepas Recipe

Inspired by Persimmon
Time3h
Serves4

corn patties topped with braised pork shoulder and savory hogao (colombian sofrito), finished with avocado, cilantro and serrano sauce.

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Ingredients

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For the Arepas

For the Braised Pork Shoulder

For the Hogao Sauce

For Toppings

Method

For the Arepas

  1. 1

    Prepare the Arepas Dough

    In a large bowl, combine masarepa, water, and salt. Mix until a dough forms. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to hydrate.

  2. 2

    Shape the Arepas

    Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape each portion into a disc about ½ inch thick.

  3. 3

    Cook the Arepas

    Heat a skillet over medium heat and add butter. Cook the arepas for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and slightly crispy.

For the Braised Pork Shoulder

  1. 4

    Sear the Pork

    In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Season the pork shoulder with salt, black pepper, cumin, and paprika. Sear on all sides until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

  2. 5

    Add Aromatics

    Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent.

  3. 6

    Braised Cooking

    Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat. Cook for about 2-3 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shredded.

  4. 7

    Shred the Pork

    Once cooked, remove the pork shoulder from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the pot and mix with the juices.

For the Hogao Sauce

  1. 8

    Prepare the Hogao

    In a skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for about 4-5 minutes until translucent.

  2. 9

    Add Tomatoes and Season

    Add diced tomatoes, minced garlic, and salt. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until tomatoes are softened and the mixture is fragrant.

  3. 10

    Finish with Cilantro

    Stir in the chopped cilantro and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

To Assemble

  1. 11

    Serve the Arepas

    Place the cooked arepas on a plate. Top each arepa generously with the braised pork, spoon over the hogao sauce, and finish with sliced avocado, fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of serrano sauce.

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