Presa de cerdo ibérico al Pedro Ximénez is one of those Spanish dishes that looks and tastes far more elegant than its short ingredient list suggests. The presa is a richly marbled cut from the Iberian pig's shoulder, seared hard on a grill pan until deeply browned outside and juicy within, then finished with a glossy, caramelized Pedro Ximénez sauce.
It is a dish built for celebrations, yet it comes together in about half an hour. Sweet roasted sweet potato purée and warm piquillo peppers round out the plate, and every element can be prepared while the meat rests.
Because the sauce is so simple, the quality of the pork and the wine really shows. Use a good Pedro Ximénez, keep the pan hot, and let the meat rest before slicing so it stays tender and releases its juices.


Ingredients for Presa Iberica in Pedro Ximenez Sauce
This makes 4 servings.
- 1 Iberian pork presa (about 700 g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 150 ml beef stock
- 50 ml Pedro Ximénez
- Flaky sea salt
- 1 large sweet potato (optional)
- 5-8 piquillo peppers (optional)

How to Make Presa Iberica in Pedro Ximenez Sauce Step by Step
1. Sear the Iberian Pork Presa
First, brush 1 Iberian pork presa with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat a frying pan, preferably a grill pan, over high heat, and once it is very hot, brown the presa for 5-8 minutes on each side. Set it aside on a covered plate for 10 minutes.

2. Make the Pedro Ximenez Sauce
Next, pour 150 ml of beef stock and 50 ml of Pedro Ximénez into the same grill pan, stir, and reduce for 4-5 minutes until you have a caramelized sauce.

3. Cook the Sweet Potato Purée
To prepare the side for the meat, prick 1 washed sweet potato with a fork and cook it in the microwave for 8-10 minutes. Cut it in half, scoop out the flesh, mash it, and season lightly with salt. You can also cook the sweet potato in the oven or air fryer for 30 minutes at 180 °C, though if you choose those methods it is best to make the side first.

4. Warm the Piquillo Peppers
Meanwhile, in another frying pan, warm 5-8 piquillo peppers for a few minutes.

5. Slice the Pork
Cut the Iberian presa into slices that are not too thick. At this point you can pass the meat through the Pedro Ximénez sauce in the pan, which also helps serve it hotter, though this is optional — you can simply spoon the sauce over the meat, serve it on the side, or pour it over the purée.

6. Plate and Serve
Serve the sliced Iberian presa with flaky sea salt, the hot Pedro Ximénez sauce spooned on top, and accompany the dish with the sweet potato purée and the warm peppers as a side.

Tips for the Best Presa Iberica in Pedro Ximenez Sauce
Keep the Pan Very Hot
It is important that the frying pan is very hot, and so the oil does not burn, brush the meat with the oil instead of pouring it into the pan. Take the meat out of the fridge a few minutes before cooking so it comes to room temperature, and once cooked, let it rest for 10 minutes so it releases its juices and slices beautifully.
Other Side Dish Ideas
Other great garnishes for this dish could be the classic mashed potatoes, crispy fried potatoes, or slow-roasted cherry tomatoes.
How to Serve It
When taking the dish to the table, you can serve the sliced meat with the sauce on the side so each guest helps themselves. You can also serve the sauce over the sweet potato purée, or pass the sliced meat through the sauce while it is still in the pan without letting it soak, so the meat keeps its flavor and the sauce adds just a subtle touch.
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 30 minutes |
| Servings | 4 |
| Category | Main course |
| Cuisine | Spanish |
| Calories per serving | 565 kcal |
30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a rotation that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.
Some nights I want something luxuriously rich, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I'm after something fruity and soothing, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.
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Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for Your Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes boil down to three things: straightforward methods, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.
Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more celebratory for friends and family.
On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.
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I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots in other countries, such as the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.
Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it cuts down on time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.
And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.
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