Pork Guisantes is a comforting Filipino tomato-based stew featuring tender pork strips, sweet peas, and bell peppers. “Guisantes” means peas in Spanish, reflecting the dish’s colonial roots. It’s a simple, flavorful one-pan meal that’s ready in under an hour—perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or fiestas. Served with steamed rice, this hearty dish is satisfying and budget-friendly.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 500g pork tenderloin, cut into 2-inch strips

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

• 2 bay leaves

• 1 cup water (or pork/beef broth)

• 1 large or 2 small red bell peppers, sliced into strips

• 1 cup frozen sweet peas or green peas (thawed)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a deep skillet, sauté onion and garlic in oil over medium heat until soft and aromatic.

2. Add pork and fish sauce. Cook until pork is no longer pink.

3. Stir in diced tomatoes and bay leaves. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes, until tomatoes can be mashed.

4. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Add water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10–15 minutes until pork is fork-tender and sauce is reduced.

6. Stir in bell peppers and peas. Simmer for another 5 minutes, just until vegetables are tender.

7. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Nutrients

Per Serving (Serves 4):

• Calories: 440 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 42g

• Protein: 41g

• Fat: 12g

• Saturated Fat: 2g

• Cholesterol: 81mg

• Sodium: 806mg

• Potassium: 1360mg

• Fiber: 16g

• Sugar: 10g

• Vitamin A: 1517 IU

• Vitamin C: 66mg

• Calcium: 91mg

• Iron: 5mg

The Heritage Behind the Dish

Filipino cuisine is heavily influenced by centuries of Spanish colonization, and Pork Guisantes is one of many examples where local tastes met European culinary traditions. The use of tomato-based sauces, the inclusion of peas (guisantes), and simmered meats are hallmarks of Spanish cooking that the Filipinos adapted to suit native ingredients and daily mealtime practices.

Over time, Pork Guisantes became a staple in many Filipino homes due to its simplicity, affordability, and versatility. It mirrors dishes like Afritada or Menudo but is more streamlined—fewer ingredients, quicker cooking time, yet still rich in flavor and heartiness.

A One-Pan Wonder

One of the standout features of Pork Guisantes is its simplicity. It’s made using just one pan, which means less cleanup and faster preparation—a major win for busy households. The steps are intuitive: sauté aromatics, sear the pork, build the tomato base, simmer, and finish with vibrant vegetables. In less than an hour, you have a dish that tastes like it’s been slowly stewed all afternoon.

Using pork tenderloin ensures the meat cooks quickly while staying moist and tender. The bell peppers add a natural sweetness, while peas bring a pleasant burst of texture and color. It’s a well-rounded dish that manages to be both hearty and refreshing.

Flavors That Are Familiar Yet Distinct

The flavor profile of Pork Guisantes is rich and savory, with just the right amount of brightness from tomatoes and sweetness from the vegetables. Unlike heavier stews that rely on butter or cream, this one keeps it light yet satisfying with the use of fish sauce for depth and diced tomatoes for tang and umami.

The addition of bay leaves infuses the dish with a subtle herbal aroma, complementing the sweet and acidic components. It’s a dish that doesn’t need a long list of spices or exotic ingredients to stand out—its charm lies in its balance and wholesomeness.

Why It’s a Family Favorite

Pork Guisantes hits all the right notes for a family meal. It’s:

• Quick to make, ideal for weeknights

• Budget-friendly, using accessible ingredients

• Kid-approved, with its tender pork and colorful vegetables

• Nutritious, offering a solid mix of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals

Its naturally thick sauce clings beautifully to a spoonful of rice, making it one of those dishes you want to savor to the last bite. Plus, leftovers reheat wonderfully, making it great for lunch the next day.

Customizable to Your Taste

While the classic Pork Guisantes recipe is straightforward, it’s also wonderfully flexible:

• Switch the protein: Instead of pork tenderloin, try pork shoulder, ground pork, chicken, or even tofu for a plant-forward option.

• Add more vegetables: Carrots, potatoes, and green beans all work well and make the dish even heartier.

• Spice it up: A pinch of chili flakes or a sliced red chili pepper can introduce a mild heat for those who enjoy spice.

• Try fresh tomatoes: In summer months, replace canned tomatoes with chopped fresh tomatoes for a fresher finish.

Many Filipino home cooks treat this dish as a base recipe—something they can tweak depending on what’s in the fridge or who they’re serving.

Perfect Pairings

Steamed white rice is the natural companion to Pork Guisantes. The mild flavor of the rice soaks up the rich tomato sauce and brings balance to each bite. If you’re looking for more options, consider pairing it with:

• Garlic fried rice (sinangag) for a more flavorful base

• Pandesal (Filipino bread rolls) to scoop up the stew

• Pickled papaya (atchara) for a tart contrast that cuts through the richness

• Sautéed greens like kangkong (water spinach) or bok choy to round out the meal

Whether it’s served simply with rice or as part of a larger spread, Pork Guisantes always holds its own.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

Pork Guisantes is an excellent dish to prepare ahead of time. As with many tomato-based stews, the flavors deepen and improve after resting. Here are a few storage notes:

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Freezing: It freezes well, especially if you leave out the peas and bell peppers (add them fresh when reheating for best texture).

• Reheating: Warm gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

This makes it a practical choice for meal prepping or cooking in batches for busy weeks.

Nutritional and Health Benefits

Pork Guisantes is not only delicious but also fairly balanced:

• Lean pork tenderloin provides high-quality protein and B-vitamins

• Peas are a good source of fiber, plant protein, and essential nutrients like Vitamin K, folate, and manganese

• Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants like lycopene

• Bell peppers add a significant dose of Vitamin C and color to your plate

It’s a satisfying meal that fills you up without being overly rich or greasy. By using modest amounts of oil and incorporating a variety of vegetables, it strikes a great balance between indulgence and nourishment.

Cultural Connections

Like many Filipino recipes, Pork Guisantes is a dish that reflects history, adaptation, and homegrown flavor. It shows how Spanish influence merged seamlessly with native ingredients, resulting in a uniquely Filipino creation.

It’s also a dish that invites family connections. Whether you’re preparing it for a weeknight dinner or a festive potluck, there’s a sense of warmth and tradition that comes with every serving. In Filipino households across the globe, it’s one of those dishes that tastes like home—no matter how far from home you are.

Conclusion

Pork Guisantes is a dish that embodies what Filipino comfort food is all about—flavorful, practical, and deeply satisfying. Its mix of tender pork, sweet peas, and tomato-based sauce creates a harmonious blend that’s both simple and special. It’s a dish that doesn’t need a holiday to be enjoyed but still feels worthy of celebration.

From its colonial roots to its modern-day place on the Filipino table, Pork Guisantes continues to bring people together around a warm, hearty meal. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or rediscovering an old favorite, this stew will quickly earn a spot in your recipe rotation—one that delights, comforts, and brings the taste of tradition with every bite.