Pork Marengo
Pork Marengo is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender pork simmered with tomatoes, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs, perfect for comforting family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. boneless pork shoulder, cut in 1-inch cubes ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped onions
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz.) can tomatoes, cut up ⓘ
- 1 tsp. instant chicken bouillon granules ⓘ
- 1 tsp. dried marjoram, crushed ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed ⓘ
- dash of pepper ⓘ
- 1 (3 oz.) can chopped mushrooms, drained ⓘ
- 1/3 c. cold water ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. flour ⓘ
Instructions
- In a skillet, brown half of the pork cubes and chopped onions in hot oil.
- Drain off the fat.
- Transfer the meat and onions to a crockery cooker.
- In the same skillet, combine undrained tomatoes, bouillon granules, marjoram, salt, thyme, and pepper. Stir together, scraping browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Pour the tomato mixture over the pork in the crockery cooker.
- Cover and cook on low heat setting for 8 to 10 hours.
- Turn to high heat setting. Stir in drained mushrooms.
- Blend cold water slowly into the flour to make a slurry.
- Stir the flour mixture into the pork casserole.
- Cook uncovered on high heat for 15 to 20 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Serve over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, marinate the pork cubes in your choice of spices overnight before cooking. You can substitute the boneless pork shoulder with chicken thighs for a lighter option or use a mix of fresh and canned tomatoes for a richer sauce. If fresh mushrooms are available, feel free to use them instead of canned for better texture and taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Pork Marengo over a bed of rice to soak up the delicious sauce. A side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad pairs nicely. For a heartier meal, consider serving with crusty bread to mop up the sauce. This dish also complements well with any chicken recipes you might enjoy.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in a saucepan over low heat until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally. The dish also freezes well; just ensure it's fully cooled before freezing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pork Marengo contains roughly 780 calories, with 7g protein, 19g carbohydrates, and 77g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (52% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1380mg per serving (60% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?
Yes, you can use pork loin or pork tenderloin, but keep in mind that they may cook faster than shoulder. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat remains tender and juicy.
Is it possible to make this dish in a pressure cooker?
Absolutely! To adapt this recipe for a pressure cooker, brown the pork and onions as directed, then add all ingredients and cook on high pressure for about 30 minutes. Allow for a natural release before serving.
What can I do if the sauce is too thin?
If the sauce doesn't thicken to your liking, mix a little cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry and stir it into the dish. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).