Meats and oven dishes

Carne de porco à alentejana

Marinated pork, fried and served with clams, potatoes and cilantro.

RegionAlentejo / Algarve
DifficultyMedium
Total time1 h 05 min + marinating
Servings4 servings
Photo of Carne de porco à alentejana — traditional Portuguese recipe
Photo of the traditional Portuguese recipe.

Editorial content from Empório Portugal. Traditional recipes may vary by region, family and cook.

About the recipe

Carne de porco à alentejana brings land and sea together in one of Portugal’s most striking recipes.

The meat is marinated with garlic, red pepper paste and wine, then meets the clams at the end.

Despite the name, the dish is also strongly linked to the Algarve in many culinary narratives.

Ingredients

  • 700 g pork, cut into cubes
  • 500 g clams or cockles
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 tablespoons red pepper paste
  • 150 ml white wine
  • 700 g potatoes, diced and fried
  • 80 ml olive oil or lard
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Pickles or lemon, optional

Method

  1. Marinate the meat with garlic, red pepper paste, wine and pepper for a few hours.
  2. Drain the meat, reserving the marinade.
  3. Brown the cubes in olive oil or lard.
  4. Add part of the marinade and cook until the meat is tender.
  5. Add the clams and cover until they open.
  6. Serve with diced potatoes and cilantro.

Tips from Empório Portugal

  • Red pepper paste is already salty; season carefully.
  • The clams go in at the end.
  • The potatoes should stay crisp to contrast with the sauce.

Possible substitutions in Brazil

  • Cockles can replace clams in Brazil.
  • Pork shoulder or leg works well in cubes.

Pairing

A young Alentejo red or a fuller-bodied white. Content intended for adults 18+. Drink responsibly.

Editorial note from Empório Portugal

This recipe is an Empório Portugal editorial version inspired by Portuguese culinary tradition. Regional and family variations exist, especially in seasoning, quantities and method.

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Quick facts

Prep
30 min + marinating
Cooking
35 min
Total time
1 h 05 min + marinating
Yield
4 servings
Difficulty
Medium
Occasion
Regional lunch

Pairing

A young Alentejo red or a fuller-bodied white. Content intended for adults 18+. Drink responsibly.

Empório tip

Red pepper paste is already salty; season carefully.

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