Papas Guisadas (Mexican Stewed Potatoes)

Tender pork belly and potatoes simmer in a silky tomato-and-guajillo chile sauce for a comforting Mexican dish.

Serious Eats / Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Abby Armstrong

Why It Works

Simmering the pork belly first allows its collagen to break down into gelatin, yielding tender meat and a rich cooking liquid before the potatoes are added.

Stirring the potatoes at the end releases their starch, naturally thickening the sauce further and giving the stew a creamier consistency.

You're unlikely to find papas guisadas—stewed potatoes—on a restaurant menu. It's a dish you'll find in Mexican and Mexican-American home kitchens, especially on nights when the fridge is running low, and a bag of potatoes is still sitting on the counter. It's simple, filling, and made with ingredients most people already have on hand.…