Pork Guisantes with tender pork, green peas, and bell peppers in thick tomato gravy is hearty, delicious and best served with steamed rice. Easy to make with a handful of ingredients and in an hour or less, this pork stew is perfect for busy weeknights.
When I am craving for the comfort flavors of pork menudo but not in the mood to do all the peeling and dicing, I go for the simpler pork guisantes instead. Made of tender pork, sweet green peas, crisp bell peppers, and rich tomato gravy, it’s just as hearty and tasty, yet requires fewer ingredients and less work.
If you’re looking for meals that are short on prep yet big on taste, this Filipino pork and peas dish needs to be on your dinner rotation. Quick and easy to make in under an hour and in one pan, it’s the perfect back pocket recipe for busy weeknights!
Tips on How to Make Pork Guisantes
- Cut the pork against the grain and in uniform size for a more tender chew and to ensure even cooking.
- Although this pork stew is traditionally made with canned green peas, I suggest using the frozen variety which has a sweeter taste and is less briny.
- I prefer the leaner pork sirloin in this stew, but picnic would work as well. You can also use Boston butt if you like a fattier cut.
- For a fresher flavor, swap the tomato sauce with about 2 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes and stir in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste to the broth.
Pork guisantes is not only an easy and delicious weeknight meal, but it’s also budget-friendly and makes excellent leftovers.
To store for future use, cool completely and transfer to airtight containers. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Pork Stew Recipes
Pork Guisantes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1/2 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch thick strips
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 pounds pork sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a wide pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add bell peppers and cook for about 30 to 40 seconds. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the pan, add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
- Add pork and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Add fish and sauce and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add tomato sauce, water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
- Lower heat, cover and continue to cook for about 20 to 30 minutes or until pork is fork-tender and sauce is reduced.
- Add sweet peas and bell peppers cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add bell peppers and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes or until tender yet crisp. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Carol Aplaca says
July 19, 2018 at 4:25 pmAloha Lalaine
I just got done making your Pork Guisantes recipe. I wanted to let you know that it turned out just like my ex-husband use to make. I am caring for him, he’s 71 & has stage three cancer, so I am making dishes from his past to keep him eating & put on weight. I asked him if it tasted like the Pork & Peas he use to make, and he smiled and nodded his head YES!! We really appreciate your cooking expertise. Mahalo
Lalaine says
December 20, 2018 at 9:32 pmHello Carol,
You touched my heart 🙂 Thank you so much for your feedback. I am glad you find this recipe helpful.
Lynna says
January 24, 2018 at 8:08 pmHow much os 1 can of tomato sauce? There are some packaged in the big can size and some the miniature 8oz can size.
Lalaine says
January 24, 2018 at 11:03 pmIt’s one cup of tomato sauce, 8-ounce can size perfect 🙂
Lani says
June 23, 2016 at 11:22 pmPlease explain “Yields: 4 Servings” for 2lbs of pork butt, which means each person is eating 1/2lb pork.
Lalaine says
June 23, 2016 at 11:46 pmHello Lani
The pounds for ingredients are for RAW meat which is not your actual yield when cooked. You need to allow for shrinkage during cooking which can be around 30% to 50%, especially for meat that has higher fat percentage like pork butt. Meat serving for average appetite is about 4 to 5 ounces of COOKED meat, so if you figure about 30% to 50% loss during cooking, 2 pounds of raw pork butt will comfortably feed 4 people. 🙂
Ruby says
February 25, 2016 at 12:48 pmHi Lalaine,
Commenting here so that I can rate this. This turned out really great when I made it last night! Thanks for the recipe.
Tomorrow night I plan on making your shrimp stir fry. I bought shrimps with the head. You think the stir fry will taste good with it? If not, what could I do with the heads? I don’t want it to go to waste! Thanks!
Lalaine says
February 25, 2016 at 1:58 pmI like using shrimps with head, too, as they taste fresher. I usually save the heads and shells in the freezer to make shrimp stock, which I use for palabok sauces 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful feedback. I am glad you enjoyed this pork dish.
Helma says
January 21, 2016 at 5:25 amI like the honey shrimp walnut super yummy. Thank you.
Lalaine says
January 22, 2016 at 2:43 pmYou’re welcome 🙂