Frijol con Puerco Yucateco (Yucatan Pork and Black Bean Stew)
Tender pork shoulder simmered with black beans, served with radish, onion, coriander and a fiery habanero salsa.
Made with Habanero salsa and Mexican black beans. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.85 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
Put the pork, water, the whole half onion, garlic, oregano and salt in a large pot. Bring to the boil, skim the foam, then cover and simmer gently for 1 hour 15 minutes until the pork is tender.
75 min - 2
Lift the pork out with a slotted spoon and keep the broth. Heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the pork for 6 minutes.
6 min - 3
Return the pork to the pot with 300 ml of the broth and your ready made frijoles negros (see the base recipe). Simmer for 15 minutes until the broth is slightly thickened.
15 min - 4
Taste and season. Serve in deep bowls with the chopped onion, radish, coriander and lime on top.
- 5
Bring your ready made habanero salsa (see the base recipe) to the table in a small bowl. It is very hot, so add a little at a time.
Tips
- Pork shoulder suits the long simmer. Lean loin turns dry and stringy.
- Brown the cooked pork before adding the beans for deeper flavour.
- Serve the radish, onion and coriander raw. Their crunch lifts the soft stew.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is this a traditional dish?
Yes. Frijol con puerco is a classic Yucatecan stew, traditionally served on Mondays in Merida with radish, coriander, onion and lime.
What should I serve it with?
Warm corn tortillas and plain white rice are usual. A squeeze of lime and a little habanero salsa finish it.
Can I use a slow cooker?
Yes. Simmer the pork in the slow cooker for 6 to 7 hours on low, then add the beans for the last 30 minutes.
More made with habanero salsa
Panuchos de Cazón (Yucatecan Stuffed Masa Cakes with Fish)
DFEFNFPanuchos Yucatecos (Stuffed Fried Tortillas with Chicken)
DFEFNFCerdo al Pastor al Horno (Oven Roasted Pastor Pork Stack)
DFEFNFTacos de Hongos al Ajillo con Habanero (Garlic Mushroom Tacos)
DFEFNFDouble 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.