The Art of Ultimate Pork Stew with Bacon, Apples, and Prunes Perfection

Perfect Meat Browning Mastery

Master the technique of properly searing pork to develop deep, caramelized flavor.

Bacon Rendering Excellence

Learn the skill of rendering bacon to perfect crispiness while preserving flavorful fat.

Braising Perfection

Perfect the method of slow-simmering for tender, fall-apart meat in rich sauce.

Sweet-Savory Balance Technique

Master the art of balancing fruit sweetness with savory pork and smoky bacon.

Flavor Layering Strategy

Learn optimal timing for adding ingredients to build complex, harmonious flavors.

Hearty Stew Mastery Secrets for Perfect Pork, Bacon, Apple & Prune Combination

Browning Matters: Don't skip browning the pork - it creates essential flavor depth and color.

Bacon Quality: Use thick-cut, quality bacon for better texture and more pronounced smoky flavor.

Apple Choice: Tart apples like Granny Smith hold shape better and balance the sweetness of prunes.

Low and Slow: Gentle simmering ensures tender pork - avoid boiling which toughens meat.

Make Ahead: This stew tastes even better the next day as flavors meld and develop.

Wine Selection: Choose a dry white wine you'd drink - cooking doesn't hide poor quality.

Hearty Pork Stew with Smoky Bacon, Sweet Apples, and Tender Prunes in Rich Broth

Name: Hearty Pork Stew with Smoky Bacon, Sweet Apples, and Tender Prunes in Rich Broth
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: For the Perfect Pork:; 2.5 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; For the Smoky Bacon:; 8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; For the Aromatic Base:; 2 large yellow onions, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 carrots, peeled and sliced; 2 celery stalks, diced; For the Liquid Foundation:; 3 cups chicken or beef broth; 1 cup dry white wine; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 bay leaf; For the Sweet Components:; 2 large tart apples, peeled and cubed; 1 cup pitted prunes; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon honey; For the Herb Blend:; 3 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 sprigs fresh rosemary; 1 teaspoon dried sage; 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram; For the Flavor Enhancers:; 2 tablespoons tomato paste

The ultimate pork stew featuring tender chunks of pork, crispy smoky bacon, sweet apples, and plump prunes simmered in a rich, savory broth. This comforting one-pot masterpiece combines the hearty richness of premium pork with the smoky depth of bacon, balanced perfectly by the natural sweetness of apples and prunes, creating an unforgettable stew experience that elevates classic comfort food to extraordinary heights perfect for cool evenings, family dinners, or any time you crave the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and satisfying flavors.

Prep Time

20 Minutes

Cook Time

Total Time

2H20 Minutes

Chef

RUY

Ingredients

Custard Cream

For the Perfect Pork:

2.5 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Smoky Bacon:

8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

For the Aromatic Base:

2 large yellow onions, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 celery stalks, diced

For the Liquid Foundation:

3 cups chicken or beef broth

1 cup dry white wine

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 bay leaf

For the Sweet Components:

2 large tart apples, peeled and cubed

1 cup pitted prunes

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon honey

For the Herb Blend:

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

1 teaspoon dried sage

1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

For the Flavor Enhancers:

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For the Vegetable Additions:

1 pound baby potatoes, halved (optional)

8 ounces mushrooms, quartered

For the Final Touches:

2 tablespoons butter

Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Coarse sea salt

Freshly cracked black pepper

For the Thickening:

2 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons cold water

For Special Equipment:

Large Dutch oven or heavy pot

Wooden spoon

Tongs

Slotted spoon

Instructions

Pat pork cubes dry with paper towels for better browning.

Season pork generously with salt, pepper, and dredge lightly in flour.

Cook chopped bacon in large Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy.

Remove bacon with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in pot.

Working in batches, brown pork cubes on all sides in bacon fat.

Transfer browned pork to plate and set aside with bacon.

Add diced onions, carrots, and celery to pot, sauté for 5-7 minutes.

Stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.

Deglaze pot with white wine, scraping up browned bits from bottom.

Return pork and bacon to pot along with any accumulated juices.

Add chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, bay leaf, and herb bundle.

Stir in Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce for depth of flavor.

Bring stew to boil, then reduce heat to low for gentle simmer.

Cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Add cubed apples, prunes, brown sugar, and honey to stew.

Add mushrooms and potatoes if using for heartier meal.

Continue simmering uncovered for 45-60 minutes until pork is fork-tender.

Remove bay leaf and herb sprigs from finished stew.

Mix cornstarch with cold water to create slurry for thickening.

Stir cornstarch slurry into stew and simmer 5 minutes until thickened.

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Stir in butter for extra richness and glossy finish.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot.

Serve in deep bowls with crusty bread for soaking up rich broth.

Hearty Pork Stew with Smoky Bacon, Sweet Apples, and Tender Prunes in Rich Broth

RUY

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

The Art of Ultimate Pork Stew with Bacon, Apples, and Prunes Perfection

Hearty Pork Stew with Smoky Bacon, Sweet Apples, and Tender Prunes in Rich Broth

Ingredients

Instructions