Asado de Puerco (Pork in Red Chilli Sauce) with Pot Beans
Tender pork shoulder braised in smoky red chilli sauce and served with a ladle of brothy pot beans.
Made with Red enchilada sauce and Frijoles de la olla (pot beans). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.61 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large heavy pan over a medium-high heat. Brown the pork in two batches for 5 minutes each, until golden, and lift out.
10 min - 2
Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook for 4 minutes. Stir in the oregano.
4 min - 3
Return the pork with your ready made red enchilada sauce (see the base recipe), the water and the salt. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes, until the pork is very tender.
75 min - 4
Uncover and simmer for 10 minutes, until the sauce clings to the meat. Taste and adjust the salt.
10 min - 5
Warm your ready made pot beans (see the base recipe) in a small pan until steaming hot all the way through.
4 min - 6
Serve the pork in bowls with a ladle of beans and broth alongside, with coriander and lime wedges.
Tips
- Do not trim all the fat from the pork shoulder. It keeps the meat succulent and flavours the sauce.
- Skim excess oil from the sauce at the end for a cleaner finish.
- Serve with warm tortillas or rice to mop up the sauce.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use pork belly or leg?
Shoulder gives the best result. Belly is richer and needs trimming. Lean leg can dry out, so shorten the cooking time and check for tenderness.
How spicy is this?
Mild to medium. Add a dried chile de arbol or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce while it simmers for more heat.
More made with red enchilada sauce
Mejillones en Salsa Roja (Mussels in Red Chilli Sauce)
GFDFEFAlbóndigas en Chile Rojo con Arroz Rojo (Meatballs in Red Chilli Sauce)
GFNFPastel Azteca de Res (Aztec Beef Tortilla Bake)
GFEFNFBurritos Mojados (Smothered Bean and Cheese Burritos)
VEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.