Hearty Caribbean Pork & Red Bean Chili
This Hearty Caribbean Pork & Red Bean Chili is a delicious twist on a classic vegetarian dish, perfect for using up leftover pork shoulder or any cut of pork you have on hand. Rich in flavor and packed with protein, this chili is an excellent comfort food that's sure to please. Starting off with a vibrant sofrito, the dish incorporates spices and fresh ingredients that create deep, aromatic flavors. The addition of red lentils and creamy kidney beans makes it a filling one-pot meal. Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice mixed with sweet corn for a wholesome experience. Whether you're serving it at a family gathering or enjoying a cozy night in, this chili will warm you from the inside out.
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Achiote oil or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (Measured)
Sofrito sauce or finely chopped onion
1/2 cup (Prepared or chopped)
Diced tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can (Leave whole or puree)
Garlic cloves
2 (Crushed)
Dry white wine or beer
1 1/4 cups (Measured)
Chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 1/4 cups (Measured)
Red lentil
1 cup (Measured)
Fresh thyme or dried thyme
2 sprigs or 1 teaspoon (Fresh or dried)
Ground cumin
2 teaspoons (Measured)
Soy sauce
3 tablespoons (Measured)
Hot chili peppers or jalapeno pepper
1/2 (Seeded and minced)
Chinese five spice powder or spice blend
1 teaspoon or a mix of 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (Measured)
Oyster sauce (optional)
1 tablespoon (Measured)
Canned red kidney beans
15 1/2 ounces (Rinsed and drained)
Sugar (or Splenda)
2 teaspoons (Measured or one packet)
Salt
to taste (Seasoning)
Cooked pork
1/2 lb (Cubed)
Cooked rice
for serving (With corn)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, heat the achiote oil (or vegetable oil) over medium heat. Add the sofrito or finely chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
2
Add the diced tomatoes and crushed garlic to the pot, cooking for an additional 10 minutes until the tomatoes are slightly broken down.
3
Pour in the white wine (or beer) and chicken broth, stirring well to combine.
4
Incorporate the red lentils, fresh thyme (or dried), ground cumin, soy sauce, minced chili pepper, Chinese five spice (or your spice blend), and oyster sauce, if using. Stir everything together until well mixed.
5
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low, letting it simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the lentils – if they dry out, add a bit of water.
6
After 40 minutes, stir in the rinsed and drained kidney beans along with the sugar (or Splenda), and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes to heat through.
7
Season with salt to taste, then fold in the cubed cooked pork, heating until all ingredients are warm.
8
Serve the hearty chili over cooked rice mixed with corn for a delightful meal.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
22.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Caribbean Pork & Red Bean Chili?
It is a flavorful twist on a classic vegetarian dish, using leftover pork shoulder or any cooked pork, enriched with a vibrant sofrito, spices, red lentils, and kidney beans.
What kind of oil should I use for this chili?
You can use either 2 tablespoons of achiote oil or standard vegetable oil.
How much sofrito is needed for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of sofrito sauce or finely chopped onion.
Should the diced tomatoes be pureed or left whole?
You can leave the 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes whole or puree them depending on your texture preference.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The recipe requires 2 cloves of garlic that have been crushed.
Can I use alcohol in the cooking liquid?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 1 1/4 cups of dry white wine or beer.
What type of broth is recommended?
You can use either 1 1/4 cups of chicken broth or vegetable broth.
What kind of lentils are used in this chili?
The recipe uses 1 cup of red lentils.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use either 2 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
How much cumin is added to the dish?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of ground cumin.
Is soy sauce included in this Caribbean chili?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce are added for depth of flavor.
What type of peppers should I use for heat?
Use 1/2 of a hot chili pepper or a jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced.
What is the substitute for Chinese five spice powder?
If you don't have Chinese five spice, you can use a mix of 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
Is oyster sauce a mandatory ingredient?
No, the 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce is optional.
How should I prepare the kidney beans before adding them?
The 15 1/2 ounces of canned red kidney beans should be rinsed and drained.
Can I use a sugar substitute?
Yes, you can use 2 teaspoons of sugar or one packet of Splenda.
How should the pork be prepared?
Use 1/2 lb of cooked pork that has been cut into cubes.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the chili over a bed of cooked rice mixed with sweet corn.
How long should the tomatoes and garlic cook?
Cook the tomatoes and garlic for about 10 minutes until the tomatoes are slightly broken down.
How long do the lentils need to simmer?
The lentils should simmer for about 40 minutes on low heat while covered.
What should I do if the lentils dry out during cooking?
Keep an eye on them and add a bit of water if the mixture becomes too dry.
When do I add the kidney beans to the pot?
After the lentils have simmered for 40 minutes, stir in the kidney beans and cook for 10 more minutes.
When is the pork added to the recipe?
The cubed cooked pork is folded in at the very end and heated until all ingredients are warm.
How many calories are in a serving of this chili?
A serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
The dish provides about 22.5g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are approximately 10g of fat per serving.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are a total of 18 ingredients listed for this recipe.
Can this recipe be adapted for vegetarians?
Yes, by omitting the pork and using vegetable broth, it returns to its classic vegetarian roots.
Is this dish considered a one-pot meal?
Yes, it is a filling one-pot meal that incorporates protein, legumes, and aromatics in one saucepan.
What are the primary flavors in this chili?
The flavor profile includes aromatic sofrito, earthy cumin, Chinese five spice, and savory soy sauce with a touch of sweetness.