Every Monday in Yucatán, pots of Frijol con Puerco simmer on stoves across the peninsula — black beans and pork shoulder cooked with epazote until the broth turns rich and glossy. The ritual is as much about the accompaniments as the stew: rice, tortillas, radishes, lime and scorching habanero salsa. It is comfort food with a weekly appointment.
Frijol con Puerco
Every Monday in Yucatán, pots of Frijol con Puerco simmer on stoves across the peninsula — black beans and pork shoulder cooked with epazote until the broth turns rich and glossy.

Step by stepInstructions
- Rinse the beans and soak them overnight, or quick-soak by boiling for 2 minutes and resting for 1 hour.
- Simmer the beans in 8 cups (2 L) of water with the onion, garlic, epazote and oregano until they begin to soften, about 1 hour.
- Add the pork and continue simmering for 1 to 1½ hours, until the meat is very tender and the broth is rich and dark.
- Season generously with salt only at the end, once the beans are fully soft.
- Serve the beans and pork in deep bowls with their broth, alongside rice, tortillas, habanero salsa, lime wedges and radishes.
💡 Chef tips & storage
This is the traditional Yucatecan Monday meal, and the leftovers improve overnight. Salt the pot late; early salt toughens the beans' skins.

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