Nitrate & Nitrite Free Pork and Apple Stew

Total time2 hr

Prep time20 min

Cook time1 hr 40 min

4.6

(10)

Nitrate & Nitrite Free Pork and Apple Stew

Pork stew is one of those deeply satisfying cold-weather dishes that can be surprisingly tricky to make at home without reaching for cured meats, smoked sausage, or store-bought broths loaded with preservatives. This version keeps everything clean and whole, building its rich, savory depth from properly seared pork shoulder, aromatic vegetables, and a long, gentle simmer. The Granny Smith apples are a quiet star here — they melt into the broth and add a gentle tartness that balances the warmth of turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon, and fresh ginger beautifully. Bone broth and a splash of apple cider vinegar round out the liquid base, giving the stew a silky, complex body that tastes like it took far more effort than it did. Every ingredient is straightforward and unprocessed, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or worry about hidden additives sneaking into your bowl. The pork shoulder becomes genuinely fork-tender after its low-and-slow simmer, practically falling apart when you press it with a spoon. Scatter some fresh parsley on top before serving and you've got a bowl that looks as good as it tastes.

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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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