Carne de Porco à Alentejana (Portuguese Pork with Clams)

Carne de Porco à Alentejana is one of Portugal’s most distinctive surf-and-turf dishes, pairing paprika-scented pork with fresh clams and crisp fried potatoes. The pork brings savoury depth after a short garlic, vinegar and bay marinade, while the clams open directly into the pan, enriching the white wine juices with briny sweetness. Finished with fresh coriander, it is hearty without feeling heavy: golden potatoes soak up the garlicky sauce, the pork stays juicy, and the seafood gives the dish its unmistakable character. Serve it straight away, with plenty of pan juices spooned over each portion.
Cuisine style Portuguese pork and seafood
Spice level Mild
Cooking style One-pot cooking

Why this recipe works

  • Built-in depth: A short garlic, paprika and vinegar marinade seasons the pork before browning adds savoury richness.
  • Bright, savoury balance: Dry white wine and vinegar cut through the pork while the clams bring natural briny depth.
  • Contrasting textures: Golden potatoes, juicy pork and tender clams give the dish its recognisable mix of crisp, meaty and delicate elements.

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Timing notes

  • Keep the marinade brief: The short marinade is enough to flavour the bite-size pork pieces without slowing the recipe down.
  • Serve immediately: This dish is best as soon as the clams open, while the pork is juicy and the potatoes still have some texture.

Ingredient notes

  • Use live clams: Choose fresh, live clams and discard any that are cracked or remain open when tapped before cooking.
  • Pork shoulder suits the method: Boneless pork shoulder has enough fat and structure to stay succulent through searing and a short simmer.
  • Rinse clams just before cooking: Keeping the clams cold and rinsing them at the last moment helps preserve freshness before they go into the pot.

Common mistakes

  • Do not crowd the pork: If the pot is packed, the pork will steam rather than brown; sear in batches if needed.
  • Stop once the clams open: Clams turn tough if cooked for too long, so remove the pot from the heat as soon as they have opened.
  • Treat leftovers carefully: Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate, reheat gently until piping hot, and never keep clams that failed to open during cooking.

Authenticity notes

  • Portuguese pork-and-clam style: The dish is closely associated with Portuguese cooking and its distinctive combination of marinated pork, shellfish and wine.
  • Fried potatoes are part of the dish: The potatoes are not just a side; they soak up the garlicky wine juices and help define the finished plate.
  • Coriander finish: Fresh coriander gives the dish its typical herbal lift, though parsley makes a milder alternative.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Cut the pork into bite-size cubes. Crush or finely chop the garlic. In a bowl, mix the pork with the garlic, sweet paprika, white wine vinegar, bay leaves, fine sea salt and black pepper, then leave to marinate for 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, scrub the potatoes and cut into 2 cm cubes. Rinse the clams well under cold running water, discarding any that are cracked or stay open when tapped. Roughly chop the fresh coriander.
  3. Heat most of the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Fry the potatoes for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and tender. Lift out to a plate and season lightly with a pinch of the fine sea salt.
  4. Pour off all but 2 tbsp of oil from the pot and return it to medium-high heat. Add the pork (leave the bay leaves behind) and sear for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring now and then, until well browned. If the pot looks dry, add a little more of the remaining olive oil.
  5. Add the white wine and bring to a lively simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes to reduce slightly. Taste and adjust with a little more fine sea salt and black pepper if needed.
  6. Add the clams, cover, and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, shaking the pot once or twice, until the clams open. Discard any clams that do not open. Tip the fried potatoes back in and toss gently to coat in the garlicky wine juices.
  7. Take off the heat and scatter over the fresh coriander. Serve straight away, spooning plenty of the sauce over each portion.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the clams cold until needed, and rinse them just before cooking so they stay lively.
  • Do not overcook once the clams go in: as soon as they open, the dish is ready and the pork stays juicy.
  • Food safety: clams should be alive before cooking and must be cooked until their shells open; discard any that remain closed.

Substitutions

  • Replace White wine vinegar with the same amount of White wine for a softer, less tangy marinade.
  • Replace Fresh coriander with a smaller amount of Fresh parsley for a milder herbal finish.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 1 days
  • Best eaten fresh. If you have leftovers, cool quickly and refrigerate; reheat gently in a covered pan with a splash of water until piping hot, and discard any clams that were not opened during the original cooking.

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Carne de Porco à Alentejana (Portuguese Pork with Clams)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h (40min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Portuguese
  • Allergens:
    Molluscs
One pot

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