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    Home » Soups, Chilis & Stews » Easy Pork Stew

    Published: Dec 13, 2022 by Carolyn

    Easy Pork Stew

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    851 shares
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    Hearty and comforting, with bold Southwestern flavor, this pork stew warms you right down to your toes. It’s easy to make in the Instant Pot, the crock pot, or on the stovetop!

    Pork stew in a rustic blue and brown bowl, in front of cilantro, avocado, and lime.

    As I write this, I sit here enjoying a bowl of this satisfying pork stew, and I think to myself… I wish everything in life was this easy!

    You need to add this recipe to your easy keto dinners list. Because it gets top marks both for flavor and for simplicity. It’s what I like to call a dump-and-run recipe. It has minimal prep time, and all you need to do is pop everything into the pot. Turn it on, walk away, and it practically cooks itself!

    The addition of spices like chili powder, cumin, and cayenne make this pork stew a flavorful meal the whole family loves.

    Two bowls of pork stew in front of an Instant Pot.

    Easy keto stew recipe

    When you think of stew, you most likely picture something more like my Keto Beef Stew, with larger chunks of meat and vegetables. But stew can mean many things to many people.

    For this hearty pork stew, the meat is shredded after cooking. This cuts down on prep time and also distributes the meat throughout the entire dish. But it still features a rich broth and chunks of delicious low carb vegetables. So it’s perfect one-pot comfort food!

    I’ve made it my slow cooker, I’ve made in my Instant Pot, and I’ve made it on the stove. The only thing that really changes is the cooking time.And with only 5.5g net carbs per serving, this pork stew recipe is perfect for keto and low carb diets.

    Easy low carb comfort food, just when you need it most.

    Ingredients you need

    A photo of the ingredients for pork stew.
    • Boneless pork chops: I like boneless chops in this pork stew because they cook quickly and shred easily. You can use other cuts here, including roasts, but I recommend cutting them down to size so they cook through faster. I get all of my pasture-raised pork from Wild Pastures.
    • Diced tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes adds to the Southwestern flair of this recipe. Feel free to use fire-roasted for even more depth!
    • Chicken broth: How much broth you need depends on what method of cooking you choose. Instant Pot recipes require less liquid, since the pressure extracts so much liquid from the meat and vegetables.
    • Turnip: This is my favorite potato replacement in all sorts of keto soups and stews. But you can also try rutabaga or celeriac if you prefer.
    • Zucchini: I added chunks of zucchini to the stew to boost the veggie content without raising the carb count.
    • Onion and garlic: A little onion and garlic go a long way to boosting flavor.
    • Spices: I added chili powder, cumin, and a touch of cayenne. It’s not enough to make the stew spicy but it tastes fabulous! You can adjust to your liking.
    • Garnish: Add a little lime and chopped cilantro as you serve.
    • Pantry staples: Avocado or olive oil, salt, and pepper.

    Step by Step Directions

    A collage of four images showing how to make Easy Pork Stew.
    1. Place all the ingredients except for the lime and cilantro in a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker. Stir to combine. (See Expert Tips for Instant Pot and Stovetop directions).
    2. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. When cooking is complete, remove the pork to a plate and shred with two forks.
    3. Add the pork back into the pot and stir to combine. Season with additional salt, pepper, and chili powder as desired.
    4. Serve with a wedge of lime and chopped cilantro.
    A hand squeezing lime into a bowl of southwestern Pork Stew.

    Expert Tips

    If you use boneless pork chops, there is no need to cut the meat any smaller. It will cook through and shred easily in the allotted time. But larger cuts like a shoulder roast should be cut down into more manageable chunks of about 2 inches across.

    Cut the vegetables into 1 inch pieces. You don’t want them too small as they get very soft during cooking. If you prefer them firmer, consider adding them halfway through the cooking process.

    Instant Pot Method: Reduce the broth to 2 cups. Place all of the ingredients except for the lime and cilantro in an Instant Pot and stir to combine. Seal the lid and set to the stew function for 35 minutes. Proceed as directed.

    Stovetop Method: Place all of the ingredients except for the lime and cilantro in a 5 to 8 quart Dutch oven over medium high heat. Stir to combine. Once the liquid comes to a strong simmer, reduce the heat to medium low. Cook 3 to 4 hours, until the pork can be easily shredded. Proceed as directed.

    Close up shot of pork stew in a rustic blue bowl.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What cut of pork is best for stew?

    Boneless pork chops, country pork ribs, pork loin, and pork butt all make good cuts for this easy pork stew recipe. If you are using larger pieces like loins or roasts, cut them into smaller 2 inch pieces for faster cooking.

    Why is my stew meat tough?

    Stew takes tougher cuts of meat because the long, slow braising method breaks down the tough fibers. If your meat is tough, it usually means you didn’t cook the stew long enough. It’s also important not to let your stew come to a boil as boiling can toughen the meat.

    Can you freeze pork stew?

    You can freeze this keto stew but do note that the vegetables will soften even more in the freezing and thawing process.

    Is this pork stew spicy?

    The chili powder and cumin add flavor but the stew is quite mild. If you don’t like a lot of heat, skip the cayenne. Alternatively, if you want a bit more of a kick, double the cayenne or add 2 teaspoons of chipotle powder.

    Two bowls of pork stew over a colorful napkin, with avocado and lime in the background.

    More delicious keto comfort food

    • Tuscan Chicken Soup
    • Instant Pot Pulled Pork
    • Keto Meatloaf
    • Keto Stuffed Peppers
    • Tomato Basil Chicken
    • Short Rib Chili
    Pork stew in a rustic blue and brown bowl, in front of cilantro, avocado, and lime.

    Easy Pork Stew Recipe

    Hearty and comforting, with bold Southwestern flavor, this pork stew warms you right down to your toes. It's easy to make in the Instant Pot, the crock pot, or on the stovetop!
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: pork stew
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours hours
    Total Time: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 338kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon avocado oil
    • 3 lbs boneless pork chops or country-style ribs
    • 3 cups chicken broth
    • 15 oz canned diced tomatoes
    • 1 medium turnip (120g) cut into 1 inch pieces
    • 1 medium zucchini (196g) chopped into 1 inch pieces
    • ½ cup chopped onion
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder
    • ½ tablespoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • Lime wedges
    • Chopped cilantro
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients in a large 5 or 6 quart slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
    • Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. When cooking is complete, remove the pork to a plate and shred with two forks.
    • Add the pork back into the pot and stir to combine. Season with additional salt, pepper, and chili powder as desired.
    • Serve with a wedge of lime and chopped cilantro.

    Notes

    Instant Pot Method: Reduce the broth to 2 cups. Place all of the ingredients except for the lime and cilantro in an Instant Pot and stir to combine. Seal the lid and set to the stew function for 35 minutes. Proceed as directed.
    Stovetop Method: Place all of the ingredients except for the lime and cilantro in a 5 to 8 quart Dutch oven over medium high heat. Stir to combine. Once the liquid comes to a strong simmer, reduce the heat to medium low. Cook 3 to 4 hours, until the pork can be easily shredded. Proceed as directed.
    Storage Information: Store this stew in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the stew for several months. 
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Pork Stew Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving = about 1 cup)
    Calories 338 Calories from Fat 112
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 12.4g19%
    Carbohydrates 7.8g3%
    Fiber 2.4g10%
    Protein 38.7g77%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    851 shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. John says

      January 09, 2023 at 10:36 pm

      5 stars
      OMG this is so hearty! I used some leftover Maple bourbon dry rub pork loin as the meat. The spices are spot on👍 Perfect winter meal. Slow cooker meals are about as easy as it gets.

      Reply
    2. Judy Morin says

      January 08, 2023 at 1:11 pm

      4 stars
      Can I substitute tomato sauce for the diced tomatoes? I react (acid reflux) to any pieces of tomato.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 08, 2023 at 8:08 pm

        If you like!

        Reply
    3. Laura says

      January 05, 2023 at 9:11 pm

      I want to make this….is there a way to thicken it a bit? My bf like thicker stews and I want to pass this off not as a low carb/keto until he loves it!!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 06, 2023 at 6:58 pm

        Try glucomannan.

        Reply
    4. Mandi says

      December 29, 2022 at 10:43 pm

      5 stars
      SO EASY and DELICIOUS!
      TY

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        December 30, 2022 at 8:57 am

        Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    5. Susan says

      December 13, 2022 at 12:19 pm

      This stew sounds wonderful except for one thing: the addition of tomatoes. I can’t stand the flavor of canned tomatoes, so I’m thinking that some roasted tomatillos would be a good substitute. I would also definitely use rutabaga in place of the turnip.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        December 13, 2022 at 3:50 pm

        Sure!

        Reply
    6. Jennifer Bailey says

      December 13, 2022 at 10:51 am

      If I am using cooked pork, how long would I cook it all together in the instant pot?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        December 13, 2022 at 11:24 am

        I honestly don’t know. I didn’t make mine that way. I would suggest just doing it on a stovetop, as I think the IP would be unnecessary. Cook until veggies are tender to your liking.

        Reply
    7. Dee Gee says

      March 14, 2017 at 12:28 pm

      My husband and I LOVE it. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        March 14, 2017 at 5:29 pm

        Wonderful!

        Reply
    8. Lila says

      September 05, 2016 at 4:08 pm

      Made this recipe yesterday; it went over very well with everyone who tried it, it’s definitely a keeper! Also, first time I’ve tried rutabaga. Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
    9. Debra says

      November 25, 2014 at 9:23 pm

      Hopefully everything went smoothy after the movers finally arrived. I hope you are settling nicely in youf new space although not sure when the movers are scheduled to arrive so you can start settling in!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 26, 2014 at 9:38 am

        Thank you! We won’t have our stuff for at least a week yet.

        Reply
    10. Melanie says

      November 22, 2014 at 7:58 pm

      This recipe looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing in the midst of everything going on in your life. I thought I heard you were moving to my neck of the woods. Would I sound like a crazy stalker if I offered to bring you a housewarming/welcome to the area gift? 😉 In any case, I hope things go more smoothly for you all and that you get settled without a hitch. You deserve a break!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 23, 2014 at 5:53 am

        Thank you! Not stalkerish at all. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Sarah G says

      November 22, 2014 at 11:42 am

      Did the movers ever get there??

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 22, 2014 at 12:32 pm

        They did and now we are camping out in an empty house until we fly out on Monday!

        Reply
        • Sarah G says

          November 22, 2014 at 10:55 pm

          Scary but exciting! Hoping all goes great!

          Reply
    12. janet says

      November 21, 2014 at 4:25 pm

      Yep! Movers are late, that is just par for the course. : )
      We moved so much when I was a child my mother had it down to an art. One room a day throw out everything you didn’t absolutely need and it would all fit in one truck. The one time she was ill and we didn’t get all the rooms done it took 2 trucks! She could laugh about it later but I’m sure it was not easy. My father was a type A personality and he never turned down a job, so the longest we ever lived anywhere was 4 years, and the shortest was 6 weeks. I never even saw that house cause I was spending the summer with my Grandmother! I guess what I’m trying to say is try not to sweat it, it all works out!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 21, 2014 at 4:56 pm

        Thanks, Janet!

        Reply
    13. Robin says

      November 21, 2014 at 10:01 am

      Carolyn
      I think you are wonderful to keep blogging even when your family is in the middle of such a big move. I wish there was a way to help you — as much as you have helped me. Your recipes are what I make everyday to keep me going on low carb.

      Please tell us if there is anything you need.

      Robin

      Reply
    14. Sandra says

      November 21, 2014 at 9:27 am

      Maybe this lateness right off the bat will ensure that everything else about the move will run like clock work!

      Reply
    15. Monica says

      November 21, 2014 at 8:03 am

      Good luck on your move. Can’t wait to hear about all your new adventures. This recipe looks great. I have so many in my folder to make now I don’t know where to start. 🙂

      Reply
    16. Susan says

      November 21, 2014 at 6:34 am

      My experience with movers is that the only time they show up on time is when you are not ready for them. Then they are apt to show up early. I think it’s a law of the universe that physicists have yet to discover. Good luck!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        November 21, 2014 at 6:37 am

        I would wager that you are correct, Susan!

        Reply

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