Pote Gallego (Galician Pork, Chorizo and Potato Stew with Kale)

Pote gallego brings together the hallmarks of a robust Galician stew: pork, chorizo, potatoes and leafy greens simmered until the broth turns savoury, smoky and full-bodied. The chorizo lends paprika-rich depth, while browned pork shoulder gives the stew substance without needing complicated technique. Chunky potatoes soften into the liquid, helping thicken it slightly, and kale adds freshness and texture at the end. Served hot with plenty of broth, it is the kind of practical one-pot dinner that feels generous, warming and deeply satisfying.
Cuisine style Galician home cooking
Flavor profile Savoury • Smoky • Rich
Techniques Browning • Gentle simmering
Key equipment Dutch oven
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Slow-cooked

Why this recipe works

  • Deep savoury base: Browning the pork and briefly cooking the chorizo releases rendered fat and smoky paprika flavour before the broth is added.
  • Gentle simmering: A low, steady simmer helps the pork become tender while keeping the broth rich rather than harsh or cloudy.
  • Hearty balance: Potatoes make the stew filling, while kale brings a fresh, slightly earthy contrast to the pork and chorizo.

Get the most out of this recipe

Authenticity notes

  • Galician-style stew: Pote Gallego is associated with Galicia in north-west Spain, where pork, potatoes and greens are commonly simmered into a substantial, broth-based meal.
  • Greens can vary: Kale works well here, but similar sturdy greens are often used depending on availability and preference.

Ingredient notes

  • Use a cooking chorizo: Choose a chorizo that can be sliced and simmered so it releases its paprika-rich oils into the stew.
  • Keep potatoes chunky: Larger pieces hold their shape better during simmering and give the stew a more satisfying texture.
  • Smoked paprika matters: Smoked paprika reinforces the chorizo’s depth and gives the broth its recognisable warmth.

Common mistakes

  • Boiling too hard: Keep the stew at a gentle simmer; a rapid boil can toughen the pork and make the broth less clear.
  • Adding potatoes too early: Add the potatoes once the pork has started to tenderise so they soften without collapsing completely.
  • Cooking the kale too long: Add the kale near the end so it turns tender but still keeps some colour and structure.

Make-ahead tips

  • Flavour improves with time: The broth becomes more rounded after resting, making this a good stew to cook ahead and reheat gently.
  • Reheat slowly: Warm over low heat until piping hot, adding a little water if the potatoes have thickened the broth.
  • Freezes well: Cool completely before freezing, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
Print
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large casserole over medium heat. Finely chop the onion; cut the pork into bite-sized chunks and season with 1 tsp of the salt and the pepper.
  2. Brown the pork in batches until well coloured, 6 to 8 minutes per batch, then return it all to the pot. Slice the chorizo and add it to the pot for 2 minutes to release its oils.
  3. Add the onion and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until softened. Crush in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the smoked paprika for 30 seconds.
  4. Add the bay leaves and pour in the chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the base. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook on low for 45 minutes until the pork is starting to turn tender.
  5. Peel the potatoes and cut into chunky pieces, then add them to the stew with the remaining 1 tsp salt. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender but still holding their shape.
  6. Strip the kale leaves from any tough stems and add to the pot. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the kale is tender and the broth tastes rich; adjust seasoning if needed, then serve hot.

Made this recipe? Rate it — a comment is optional.

Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the stew at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil so the pork stays succulent and the broth remains clear.
  • For a thicker, more traditional texture, lightly crush a few potato pieces against the side of the pot in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Substitutions

  • Replace Kale with Swiss chard for a softer, sweeter green.
  • Replace Chicken stock with Vegetable stock for a lighter, less meaty broth.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the hob over low heat until piping hot, adding a splash of water if it has thickened; freeze for up to 3 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Ratings & reviews

Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.

Tried this recipe?

Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.

If you leave a comment, use 10–500 characters.

Stay inspired

Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.

Pote Gallego (Galician Pork, Chorizo and Potato Stew with Kale)
Image by JustRecipes
Pinterest

Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h 45min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Spanish
Beginner friendly One pot Freezer friendly

Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.

Add to meal planner

Equipment you'll need

Advertisement

Recommended tools for this recipe

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel

Got ingredients left?

Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.

Find recipes with these ingredients →

Make this recipe easier next time

Advertisement

These tools help you get better results with less effort.

Best overall

Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife

Sharp modern chef knife
  • AUS-10 steel
  • Balanced design
  • Less traditional feel
Best value

Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board

Easy-clean double-sided board
  • Separate surfaces for meat and produce
  • Resists odors and stains
  • Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
Top quality

WÜSTHOF Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife

Premium German chef knife
  • Excellent build quality
  • Reliable edge retention
  • Expensive
Best overall

OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set

Practical everyday board set
  • Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
  • Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
  • Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time

Browse alphabetically

Looking for a specific recipe? Choose a letter below to jump directly to recipes starting with that letter or number.

Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?

Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.

Add JustRecipes to Google

Every recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.