Tanzanian Pork & Coconut Skillet

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Zanzibar spice farms

📍 Where this dish comes from: Zanzibar, Tanzania · Zanzibar spice farms
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Tanzanian Pork & Coconut Skillet, plated and ready to serve

Pork isn’t part of the everyday plate across most of East Africa, but along Tanzania’s coast — particularly among smaller communities on Zanzibar and the mainland shoreline — it shows up in dishes built on the same coconut-and-spice pantry that defines the region’s more famous seafood curries. This skillet borrows that pantry directly: coconut milk, ginger, garlic, and curry spice turn pork shoulder tender and richly flavored in under half an hour.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Tanzanian Pork & Coconut Skillet

Tanzanian Pork & Coconut Skillet

Zanzibar's coastal answer to pork — coconut milk and warming spice turn a minority tradition into something genuinely craveable.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: East African
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 410kcal

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb pork shoulder cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 2 tomatoes diced
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season pork with salt, brown in batches, 4–5 minutes per side. Set aside.
  • In the same skillet, sauté onion 5 minutes until softened.
  • Add garlic and ginger, cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in curry powder, cook 1 minute more.
  • Add tomatoes, cook 4 minutes until they break down.
  • Pour in coconut milk, return pork to the skillet, and bring to a simmer.
  • Cover and cook 15–18 minutes until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened.
  • Season with salt, top with cilantro, and serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 410kcal | Protein: 32g | Fat: 30g | Fiber: 2g
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Cooking Tanzanian Pork & Coconut Skillet in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Pork shoulder is a strong source of thiamine (vitamin B1) and zinc, both important for energy metabolism.
  • Coconut milk delivers MCTs, a fast-burning fat source popular in ketogenic diets.
  • Ginger contributes gingerol, a compound studied for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Pairs Well With

  • Tanzanian Coconut & Herb Salad, Zanzibar Style
  • Tanzanian Grilled Vegetables, Coconut Marinade
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