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Meat, South and mountains

Pork with chestnuts and potatoes

Pork with chestnuts is a slow simmered stew served with potatoes, for 4 people, ready in 1h30, rated easy, at €3.40 per serving. The key to success is cooking the pork gently and adding the chestnuts late, so they hold their shape instead of breaking apart in the sauce.

A pork stew simmered with chestnuts, onions and a splash of red wine, it smells like fall through and through.

Pork with chestnuts and potatoes
Total time
1 h 30
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.40
Calories per person
590 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

This dish pairs slow cooked pork with the soft, slightly sweet bite of chestnuts, all tied together by a red wine sauce that coats the potatoes. The pork turns tender after nearly an hour of gentle simmering, while the chestnuts stay firmer and add a mellow sweetness that balances the whole plate.

It works well for a lazy Sunday or a calm weeknight when you have time to let it simmer on its own. Kids tend to like it because the pork stays soft and the chestnuts taste mild, nothing unfamiliar. It also makes an easy dish for having people over, with no tricky technique involved.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Pork stew meat 900 g

Pantry

  • Vacuum packed cooked chestnuts 250 g
  • Red wineoften in the pantry 20 cl
  • Chicken broth 30 cl
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Thyme 3 sprigs
  • Potatoes 800 g

The step by step recipe

  1. Brown the pork in a Dutch oven with the oil, then set it aside. 10 min

    A good sear builds the flavor of the whole dish, don't rush the meat.

  2. Cook the onions and garlic, deglaze with the red wine and let it reduce by half. 6 min

    Let the wine reduce by half so it loses its sharpness.

  3. Return the pork to the pot, add the broth and thyme, cover and let it simmer gently. 45 min

    A gentle simmer keeps the pork tender.

  4. Add the chestnuts for the last ten minutes. 10 min

    They break apart if you stir them too much.

  5. Cook the potatoes in salted water and serve them alongside the stew. 20 min

    Mash a few potato pieces into the sauce to thicken it.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick pork stew meat with a good mix of lean and fat, it will stay juicier after the long simmer.
  • If the sauce looks too thin at the end, remove the lid for the last ten minutes so it reduces on its own.
  • Cut the potatoes into even pieces so they all finish cooking at the same time in the salted water.

The variations

  • Swap the pork for chicken pieces, the simmering time will then be shorter, around 30 minutes.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the pork with mushrooms and carrots, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • For a quicker version, use pre-cooked potatoes and cut the pork into smaller pieces to shorten simmering to about 25 minutes.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with vinaigrette
  • Crusty country bread
  • A light glass of red wine

Storage

This dish keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, ideally without the potatoes, for up to 2 months. Reheat it gently in a pot, adding a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Questions about this dish

Can you use fresh chestnuts instead of vacuum packed ones?

Yes, but you'll need to cook and peel them yourself before adding them to the stew. This takes more time, since vacuum packed chestnuts come already cooked and ready to use.

Can this dish be made ahead of time?

Yes, the pork stew actually tastes better reheated the next day, once the flavors have had time to blend. Make the pork and sauce ahead, then add the chestnuts only when reheating.

What cut of pork works best for this stew?

A classic pork stew cut from the shoulder or neck works best, since it stays tender through a long simmer. Avoid very lean cuts like tenderloin, which can dry out.

Can you replace the red wine in this recipe?

Yes, you can swap it for the same amount of chicken broth, though the dish will taste a bit less rich. The wine mainly adds depth to the sauce once it reduces.

How long does it take to make a pork stew with chestnuts and potatoes?

Count 1 h 30 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a pork stew with chestnuts and potatoes?

About 590 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a pork stew with chestnuts and potatoes cost?

About €3.40 per serving, or €13.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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