Citric Acid 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. For anyone navigating a citric acid sensitivity, packaged broths, spice blends, and even canned goods can be full of hidden additives — this recipe sidesteps all of that by building its flavor entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients. The liquid base is bone broth and water, brightened with a small splash of apple cider vinegar, which gives you that gentle tang without any synthetic acidulants to worry about. Turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon, fresh ginger, and a pair of herb sprigs do the heavy lifting on flavor, creating a broth that tastes like it simmered all day — because it did. The pork shoulder gets seared first for a deep golden crust, then braises low and slow until it's completely fork-tender and practically falling apart. Chunks of apple soften into the stew and add a natural sweetness that balances the savory, earthy spices beautifully. It's a genuinely satisfying bowl that proves you don't need a single shortcut ingredient to get serious depth of flavor.

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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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