Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe | What Great Grandma Ate (2024)

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This Pork Pozole Verde is my take on an authentic, beloved Mexican dish. Filled with tender pork, vegetables, hominy, and spices and topped with your choice of delicious toppings! A comforting, delicious dish just in time for holiday gatherings or a family dinner.

Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe | What Great Grandma Ate (1)

What is Pozole?

Pozole (or posole) is a traditional Mexican stew packed with hominy (large, dried corn kernels that have been treated with an alkali solution) and typically features meat, most commonly pork.

It’s a beloved and iconic dish in Mexican cuisine, often served during celebrations and special occasions. I personally love Mexican soups because they are always hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor.

There are many versions of pozole, including pozole rojo (red sauce) and pozole verde (green sauce). Today, we’re making the green version, and I couldn’t be more excited!

Watch a Short Video of This Recipe

What Makes This Recipe Great

This is Pork Pozole Verde (or green pozole), and what gives this soup that vibrant green color is the addition of salsa verde, which is made with a roasted, then blended combination of poblano peppers, jalapeño pepper, and tomatillos. It gives the soup an amazing flavor and a delicious kick.

One of my favorite things about this dish is that it feeds the masses, and everyone gets to choose their toppings, which makes for a fun and hands-on dining experience. Beyond the fact that it’s absolutely delicious, it’s also easy to customize for everyone’s preferences!

It’s protein-packed, naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, and such a wonderful comfort food.

Ingredient Notes

Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe | What Great Grandma Ate (2)
  • Pork loin or pork shoulder: You can use pork loin or bone-in pork shoulder. I prefer using bone-in meat because simmering the bones gives the soup a deeper and better flavor. However, boneless meat is much easier to deal with and will still be delicious.
  • Chicken broth
  • Spices: Bay leaves, ground cumin, and dried oregano.
  • Onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Cilantro
  • Hominy: This comes in a can and is pretty easy to find at most grocery stores in the canned aisle or the Hispanic foods section.
  • Tomatillos
  • Poblano peppers
  • Jalapeno peppers
  • Salt and pepper
  • Avocado oil: Or your preferred cooking oil.

How to Make Pork Pozole Verde

Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe | What Great Grandma Ate (3)
Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe | What Great Grandma Ate (4)
  1. ​​Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Season the pork liberally all over with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until golden brown.
  4. Add chicken broth, bay leaves, cumin, and oregano to the pot, and let everything come to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer covered for 1 hour.
  5. While the pork simmers, place tomatillos, poblano peppers, jalapeño peppers, onion, and garlic on a baking sheet and toss with 2 tbsp of oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes until soft.
  6. Cool the veggies for 10 minutes, then add them to a blender (including the juices) with cilantro. Add 1 cup of the broth from the pork to the blender and blend everything until smooth.
  7. Stir the blended sauce with the pork, and simmer for 2 more hours or until the pork shreds easily.
  8. Remove the bay leaves and discard them. Transfer the pork to a bowl and shred. Discard the bone (if any), and add the meat back into the soup.
  9. Stir in hominy and taste to adjust the seasoning.
  10. Serve topped with shredded cabbage, radish slices, avocados, diced onion, cilantro, cotija, lime wedges, and tortilla chips.

Expert Tips

  • You can use pork loin or bone-in pork shoulder. I prefer using bone-in meat because simmering the bones gives the soup a deeper and better flavor. However, boneless meat is much easier to deal with and will still be delicious.
  • You can also use chicken if you wish. This will shorten the cooking time significantly, as the chicken will cook through in about 30 minutes.

How to Serve Pork Pozole Verde

You serve the soup with various garnishes so each person can top with whatever topping they desire.

Traditional Topping Ideas

  • Shredded cabbage
  • Radish slices
  • Avocado
  • Diced onion
  • Cilantro
  • Cotija cheese
  • Lime wedges
  • Jalapeno slices
  • Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
  • Tortilla chips

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

This soup also freezes well. Let the pork pozole verde cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat over the stovetop or in the microwave. I recommend freezing without toppings and serving with fresh toppings when ready to eat.

Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe | What Great Grandma Ate (6)

Recipe FAQs

What is pozole verde made of?

Pozole Verde rocks a brilliant green hue and a fresh, zesty punch. It’s the result of a vibrant green sauce mixed with pork, hominy, and a blend of flavorful spices. A taste explosion in every bite!

What is the difference between pozole and posole?

They’re the same dish, just with two different spellings. “Pozole” in Mexico and “posole” in the U.S.

More Mexican-Inspired Dishes

Cauliflower Mexican Rice

Grilled Mexican Chili Lime Mango

Easy Grilled Pollo Asado Recipe

The Best Homemade Guacamole

Paleo Horchata Recipe

If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on Instagram for even more delicious recipes!

Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe | What Great Grandma Ate (7)

Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe

This Pork Pozole Verde is my take on an authentic, beloved Mexican dish. Filled with tender pork, vegetables, hominy, and spices and topped with your choice of delicious toppings! A comforting, delicious dish just in time for holiday gatherings or a family dinner.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours hours

Total Time: 3 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 398kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 lb pork loin or 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder, cut into 4 pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 tbsp avocado oil or your favorite cooking oil, divided
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 8 tomatillos husks removed and halved
  • 3 poblano peppers stems/seeds removed and halved
  • 2 jalapeño peppers stems/seeds removed and halved
  • 1 large onion quartered
  • 6 garlic cloves peeled
  • 1 cup cilantro leaves and stems tightly packed
  • 25 oz can of hominy strained and rinsed

Topping Suggestions

  • Shredded cabbage
  • Radish slices
  • Diced avocados
  • Diced onion
  • Cilantro
  • Cotija cheese
  • Lime wedges
  • Jalapeño slices
  • Tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

  • Season the pork liberally all over with salt and pepper.

  • Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a large dutch oven or stockpot over medium high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until golden brown.

  • Add chicken broth, bay leaves, cumin, and oregano to the pork, and let everything come to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer covered for 1 hour.

  • While the pork simmers, place tomatillos, poblano peppers, jalapeño peppers, onion, and garlic on a baking pan, and toss with 2 tbsp of oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes until soft.

  • Cool the veggies for 10 minutes, then add them to a blender (including the juices) with cilantro. Add 1 cup of the broth from the pork to the blender and blend everything until smooth.

  • Stir the blended sauce in with the pork, and simmer for 2 more hours, or until the pork shreds easily.

  • Remove the bay leaves and discard them. Transfer the pork to a bowl and shred. Discard the bone (if any), and add the meat back into the soup.

  • Stir in hominy and taste to adjust seasoning,.

  • Serve topped with shredded cabbage, radish slices, diced avocados, diced onion, cilantro, cotija, lime wedges, and tortilla chips.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 8)

Calories 398Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 112mg37%

Sodium 1265mg55%

Potassium 919mg26%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 42g84%

Vitamin A 399IU8%

Vitamin C 46mg56%

Calcium 55mg6%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Video

Notes

Expert Tips

  • You can use pork loin or bone-in pork shoulder. I prefer using bone-in meat because simmering the bones gives the soup a deeper and better flavor. However, boneless meat is much easier to deal with and will still be delicious.
  • You can also use chicken if you wish. This will shorten the cooking time significantly, as the chicken will cook through in about 30 minutes.

How to Serve Pork Pozole Verde

You serve the soup with various garnishes so each person can top with whatever topping they desire.

Traditional Topping Ideas

  • Shredded cabbage
  • Radish slices
  • Avocado
  • Diced onion
  • Cilantro
  • Cotija cheese
  • Lime wedges
  • Jalapeno slices
  • Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
  • Tortilla chips

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

This soup also freezes well. Let the pork pozole verde cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat over the stovetop or in the microwave. I recommend freezing without toppings and serving with fresh toppings when ready to eat.

What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsem*nt, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


Easy Pork Pozole Verde Recipe | What Great Grandma Ate (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between pozole and posole? ›

There's really no big difference between pozole and posole, except a letter. In Mexico, where the brothy, chile-spiked soup originated, it's often spelled with a "z"; near the border and beyond, it's often spelled with an "s." It just depends where you are, and who taught you to cook it.

What are the 3 types of pozole? ›

The three main types of pozole are blanco (white), verde (green) and rojo (red). Pozole blanco—"white pozole"—is the preparation without any additional green or red sauce.

What was old pozole made of? ›

Originally, Pozole was made from the human meat of prisoners whose hearts had been ripped out in ritual sacrifice. Thankfully, after the Spanish conquest in the 1500's, cannibalism was banned and the meat in this dish was replaced with pork.

What is the difference between pozole blanco and verde? ›

Pozole not only has a rojo and verde version but also a blanco (white) as well. The differences between the three are pretty simple: rojo uses dried chiles, verde uses fresh green chiles, and blanco omits chiles altogether.

Is pozole healthy or unhealthy? ›

Conclusion. As we've seen in this post, pozole can be a healthy and nutritious addition to your diet. It is a good source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Do you drain hominy for pozole? ›

If you are using canned hominy, make sure to drain it before adding it to the stew. To cook dried hominy, place 1 cup in a large pot and cover it with cold water. Bring to a boil and add plenty of salt to season it. Reduce heat to maintain a steady simmer, and cook until just tender, about 2 hours.

Why do Mexicans eat pozole? ›

Both soups are also deeply emblematic of their cultures. The roots of pozole pre-date Spanish colonization, and the dish is said to have had ritual significance for the indigenous people of Mexico. Its principal ingredient, corn, was a sacred crop to the Aztecs and Mayans.

What does pozole mean in English? ›

: a thick soup chiefly of Mexico and the U.S. Southwest made with pork, hominy, garlic, and chili.

What makes pozole so good? ›

Pozole is the height of Mexican comfort food. A deep bowl full of steaming broth, scented with cumin, oregano, and chiles, packed with flavorful bites of heirloom corn and tender meat, this hearty soup is flavorful, satiating, and absolutely delicious.

What is a fun fact about pozole? ›

Pozole was mentioned in the 16th century Florentine Codex by Bernardino de Sahagún. Since maize was a sacred plant for the Aztecs and other inhabitants of Mesoamerica, pozole was made to be consumed on special occasions.

What did Mexicans use to make pozole back then? ›

Interestingly, historical records suggest that during special ceremonies, the meat used in pozole was not pork or chicken as we know it today, but rather human flesh. After the arrival of the Spanish, who banned cannibalistic practices, pork was substituted, as its taste was said to be similar.

Did pozole used to be human meat? ›

The indigenous ancestors used human flesh in the stew. Aztec priests would make human sacrifices to their gods, offering up the heart and using the rest of the flesh for a ceremonial pozole. After the Spanish conquest, Spanish rulers outlawed cannibalism, and so pork was used in replacement of human flesh in pozole.

Is menudo or Posole better? ›

Q1: Is posole or menudo healthier? Posole can be made a bit leaner than menudo thanks to the option of making it with chicken, but both dishes are full of vegetables and different groups of nutrients, so honestly, both soups are pretty healthy overall.

Is pozole verde good for you? ›

Therefore, enjoying a cup of pozole may be a comforting way to add more nutrients to your diet. Pozole is a balanced dish rich in protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The content of some nutrients is improved during the nixtamalization process that the corn goes through.

Which pozole is better red or green? ›

Pozole verde usually includes tomatillos and jalapenos instead of red ancho chiles and so did Maria's version. Ben thought it had a fresher taste than the red, probably the result of the tomatillo tastes coming through. Rich said, “The green seems a little thinner; the red was more full-bodied.”

What are the two types of pozole? ›

There are three main types of pozole, each named for the color of the soup: verde, rojo and blanco.

Why is posole called posole? ›

Its name derives from the Náhuatl word “ pozolli ,” which means foam and refers to the foam produced when the corn is boiled. Pozole dates back to pre-colonial times. It was served during a celebration for the god Xipe Tótec , a god who was flayed and protected agriculture, fertility, and love.

Is pozole with an S or Z? ›

First off, is it “pozole” or “posole”? Both are pronounced the same and both spellings are acceptable, the “z” being the preferred spelling in Mexico while the “s” is used more commonly in border towns and in some areas here in the States.

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