I love this recipe because, by incorporating a few culinary techniques, we can layer flavors while keeping the process simple. This dish is perfect for family gatherings and weeknight dinners.
There are three main cooking steps in this recipe: First, we sear the pork bites to build a beautiful brown crust and develop incredible texture. Then, we sauté the aromatics such as onions, shallots and garlic for layers of flavor. Finally, we cook and tenderize the pork bites in an Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make these tender and flavorful Stella Pork Bites:
• Stella’s Sweet Fire – This blend of over eight spices and ingredients delivers bold flavor without the need for measuring or blending half your pantry 🙂 .
• 1.5 to 2 pounds of bone-in country-style ribs – You can experiment with different pork cuts, but country-style ribs have good marbling, which contributes to both tenderness and flavor.
• 1 whole shallot, finely chopped
• 1/4 white onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Instructions
1. Prep the Pork:
Trim any excess fat from the pork and cut the ribs into uniform, bite-sized cubes. How big or how small, completely up to you, is your dish 🙂
2. Season the Meat:
Place the pork bites in a large bowl and generously sprinkle with Stella’s Sweet Fire. Toss to coat evenly. You want the seasoning to adhere to the meat without overcoating, as too much seasoning can burn during searing.
3. Sear the Pork Bites:
Heat 1/2 a tablespoon in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add more vegetable oil if needed. Once shimmering, carefully add the pork bites in batches, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan. Sear each side until a deep, golden-brown crust forms, about 3–4 minutes per side but flip the meat often to ensure proper caramelization. Remove the pork and set aside.
4. Sauté the Aromatics:
In the same pot, add the chopped onion, shallot, and red bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat until softened and the onions are lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant—be careful not to burn it.
5. Deglaze:
Pour in 1 cup of water to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Stella’s Sweet Fire and bring the mixture to a simmer.
6. Pressure Cook:
Carefully transfer the liquid mixture to the Instant Pot. Pour away from yourself to avoid splatter, as the mixture will be hot. Add the seared pork bites to the pot, ensuring they are partially submerged but not fully covered by the liquid.
7. Cook:
Set the Instant Pot to “pressure cook” for 30 minutes. Once done, check the pork for tenderness. If you prefer it more tender, flip the pork bites and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
8. Serve:
Once the pork is tender, remove it from the Instant Pot. Strain the remaining sauce if desired, and drizzle it over the pork bites. You can also serve the softened red bell peppers as a garnish.
Pairing Suggestions:
Serve with cilantro rice, fried rice, or even noodles for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Chef Tip:
Pork bites can also shine as an incredible BBQ dish, though cooking them solely on a smoker or grill doesn’t achieve the same level of tenderness as a pressure cooker. Plus, the final result is quite a different dish.
However, to add a deeper layer of flavor, you can smoke the pork bites on a smoker or pellet grill at 225 to 250 degrees for at least 30 minutes before searing them in a Dutch oven for that perfect caramelized crust.
Last Word
You can make amazing food at home, free of junk, chemicals and preservatives. It all starts with high quality seasoning. These Pork Braised Pork bites are a delicious treat and simple to make. Enjoy!
