Black Pepper Free Pork and Apple Stew

Total time2 hr

Prep time20 min

Cook time1 hr 40 min

4.6

(10)

Warm, deeply savory, and just a little sweet from the Granny Smith apples, this pork shoulder stew is the kind of slow-cooked comfort food that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. Skipping black pepper doesn't mean skipping depth — here, ground turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon, fresh ginger, and fragrant thyme and rosemary do all the heavy lifting, building a broth that's complex and satisfying without a single peppercorn in sight. The pork is seared in coconut oil until deeply golden before it ever hits the liquid, which locks in flavor and gives the finished stew that rich, restaurant-worthy quality. Bone broth and a splash of apple cider vinegar add body and a subtle brightness that keeps the dish from feeling heavy. The apples soften into the stew as it simmers low and slow, lending a gentle tartness that plays beautifully against the savory pork and earthy spices. By the time the lid comes off after an hour and a half, the meat is fall-apart tender and the vegetables are silky and sweet. A scatter of fresh parsley at the end adds a pop of color and freshness that ties everything together.

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Ingredients

4 servings

2 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
2 medium granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cups bone broth
1 cup water
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary

For serving

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Pat the pork cubes dry with paper towels and season all over with 1 tsp salt.
2
Heat the coconut oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in two batches to avoid crowding, add the pork in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3–4 minutes per side, until deep golden brown on at least two sides. Transfer the seared pork to a plate and set aside.

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