My pozole verde recipe is made from scratch with various cuts of pork for a rich broth with hominy, tomatillos, green chilies, pepitas and fresh herbs.
Pozole Verde Recipe
We're cooking up a big pot of Pozole Verde in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen tonight, my friends. You are in for a seriously flavor filled experience.
If you enjoy Mexican Pozole Rojo, you'll definitely love this dish.
Pozole verde is a mouthwatering Mexican stew with hominy in a rich pork or chicken stock infused with a verde sauce made with tomatillos and green chilies. It's a classic Mexican dish usually made in large batches.
There are different ways to make it, with ingredients and techniques varying from cook to cook.
I've been making pozole a long time, learning from a variety of Mexican cookbooks, and I have perfected my method for some of the best posole verde I've ever had.
I hope you love it as much as I do.
Why You'll Love My Pozole Verde
- I make mine from bone-in cuts of pork, including hock and optional pig's feet, which imbues the broth with richness and flavor.
- The verde sauce includes tangy tomatillos and spicy jalapeno and serrano peppers, but also toasted pumpkin seeds, or pepitas, for a delicious nuttiness.
- You can enjoy your pozole with so many different toppings to make it a new experience every time!
Let's talk about how to make pozole verde, shall we?
Pozole Verde Ingredients
- FOR THE POZOLE STOCK
- Bone-In Pork Shoulder. You can use boneless, but you'll get much more flavor from bone-in.
- Ham Hocks.
- Pig's Feet. Optional. You can use more ham hocks if you prefer or are unable to find pig's feet, though I highly recommend them for richness of the broth. Look for them at Mexican markets or your butcher.
- Vegetables. Onion, carrots, celery, garlic.
- Seasonings. Bay leaves, salt and black pepper.
- Water.
- Hominy. You can use dried hominy soaked overnight, or canned hominy.
- FOR THE SALSA VERDE (Green Sauce)
- Vegetable Oil.
- Vegetables. Onion, jalapenos, serranos, garlic.
- Pepitas. Hulled pumpkin seeds.
- Seasonings. Dried Mexican oregano, thyme, cumin, salt and pepper.
- Tomatillos.
- Radish Leaves. You can use spinach or other greens as a substitute.
- FOR GARNISH/SERVING
- Crushed red chilies, sliced radish, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, chopped onion, hot sauce, avocado, fried pork rinds (chicharrónes), shredded lettuce, shredded cabbage, tortilla chips (as desired)
How to Make Pozole Verde - the Recipe Method
MAKE THE POZOLE STOCK
To a large pot or large Dutch oven, add the pork shoulder, ham hocks, pig's feet (or other pork you’re using), onion, carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaves and salt. Pour in the water. It should cover the ingredients.
This is the base of your stock, so you can incorporate other vegetables that you enjoy.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-2.5 hours, or until the pork is fall apart tender. It could take longer, but start checking it around the 2 hour mark. Skim the fatty foam that rises to the top of the pot periodically.
Remove the pork from the pot and shred it with forks. Cover the shredded meat and set aside.
Strain the stock and discard the solids (spent vegetables and any bones).
Return the strained stock to the large pot and keep at a simmer.
MAKE THE SALA VERDE (GREEN SAUCE)
While the pozole stock is cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a large pan to medium heat. Add the onion and peppers. Cook 4-5 minutes to soften.
Stir in the pumpkin seeds and cook 7-8 minutes, or until the seeds start to brown and some begin to pop.
Stir in the garlic, Mexican oregano, thyme, cumin, and salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute to let the spices bloom.
Transfer to a food processor or blender along with the tomatillos and radish leaves.
Pour in 1 cup of the cooking liquid/stock from the simmering pozole stock. Process until smooth.
Pour the verde sauce back into the pan and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken.
FINISH THE POZOLE VERDE
Swirl the green sauce into the simmering stock. Add the hominy and reserved shredded or chopped pork. Taste and adjust for salt.
Simmer for 10 more minutes to heat through.
FOR SERVING
Serve the pozole verde into bowls and top with your chosen garnish, or serve the garnish on the side for diners to garnish as desired.
Boom! Done! Isn't this the best green pozole recipe ever? It's so good! Ready to serve. How are you going to garnish yours?
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Ham Hock Alternatives. Traditional pozole is made with either pig's feet or pig's head, due to the collagen content, which adds richness and body to the stock. I find it easier to find ham hocks at my local store, though also consider pork neck, pork shank, or pork ribs. You can make this dish with pork shoulder alone. It's still quite delicious.
- Dried Hominy Option. If making your pozole rojo with dried hominy instead of canned, cover with water and soak the dried hominy overnight, then cook it per your packaging instructions before using.
- Canned Hominy can usually be found in the Mexican or International section of your local grocery store.
- Make it with Chicken. Chicken pozole is delicious and lower in calories than pork pozole. Simmer the chicken breasts or whole chicken the same way with vegetables, then shred and strain per the recipe.
Storage & Leftovers
Pozole verde will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. You can enjoy it again by gently warming it in a pot on the stovetop.
You can also freeze it for 6 months in vacuum sealed containers. I freeze larger batches all the time. Works great.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my green posole recipe! Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up!
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.
Pozole Verde Recipe (Mexican Green Posole)
Ingredients
FOR THE POZOLE STOCK
- 3 pounds pork shoulder bone-in preferred, cut into large 2-3 inch chunks
- 1 pound ham hocks
- 1/2 pound pig's feet Or use more ham hocks - see RECIPE NOTES for other options
- 1 large white onion quartered
- 2 carrots rough chopped
- 2 stalks celery rough chopped
- 1 large head garlic peeled
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt to taste
- 4 quarts water
- 3 15- ounce cans white hominy drained and rinsed (or use dried hominy soaked overnight)
FOR THE SALSA VERDE (Green Sauce)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small white onion rough chopped
- 3 jalapeno peppers chopped
- 3 serrano peppers chopped
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 cup hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1.5 pounds tomatillos husks removed, chopped
- ½ cup radish leaves use spinach or other greens as a substitute
FOR GARNISH/SERVING
- Crushed red chilies, sliced radish, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, chopped onion, hot sauce, avocado, fried pork rinds (chicharrónes), shredded lettuce or cabbage (as desired)
Instructions
MAKE THE POZOLE STOCK
- To a large pot, add the pork shoulder, ham hocks (or other pork you’re using), onion, carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaves and salt. Pour in the water. It should cover the ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2-2.5 hours, or until the pork is fall apart tender. Skim the fatty foam that rises to the top of the pot periodically.
- Remove the pork from the pot and shred it with forks. Cover the shredded meat and set aside.
- Strain the stock and discard the solids (spent vegetables and any bones). Return the strained stock to the large pot and keep at a simmer.
MAKE THE SALA VERDE (GREEN SAUCE)
- While the pozole stock is cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a large pan to medium heat. Add the onion and peppers. Cook 4-5 minutes to soften.
- Stir in the pumpkin seeds and cook 7-8 minutes, or until the seeds start to brown and some begin to pop.
- Stir in the garlic, Mexican oregano, thyme, cumin, and salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute to let the spices bloom.
- Transfer to a food processor or blender along with the tomatillos and radish leaves.
- Pour in 1 cup of the stock from the simmering pozole stock. Process until smooth.
- Pour the verde sauce back into the pan and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken.
FINISH THE POZOLE VERDE
- Swirl the green sauce into the simmering stock. Add the hominy and reserved shredded or chopped pork. Taste and adjust for salt.
- Simmer for 10 more minutes to heat through.
FOR SERVING
- Serve the pozole verde into bowls and top with your chosen garnish, or serve the garnish on the side for diners to garnish as desired.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Ashley Motter says
Wow, this recipe is fantastic. I’ve tried many good pozole recipes over the years but this stands out as a favorite. My only alteration was to use bone in chicken breasts since the store was out of pork. It’s been a hit with my whole family. Will definitely make again soon!
Mike H. says
Super happy to hear it, Ashley. Enjoy!
BOO says
Planned ahead & everyone was glad I make a big batch of your Green Pozole, the day after New Years ! Used the pumpkins seeds (nice crunchyness) radishes, fresh limes, cilantro, Mex. Oregano, plenty of your salsa, fresh tortillas, shredded cabbage, Spanish onion, avocado, well, all the delicious trimmings & used pork shoulder (also piggy feet) I thought this would be different from the red pozole, they begged me to pls make that one next week. The aroma in the house is what "woke" everyone up (bleary eyed) but they did say m-m-m-m-m, could not wait to be served. I gotta tell you, this was absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend it, a labor of love, well worth it, so was your Albondigas Soup. Mike, are you sure you're not part Mexican ? All your cookery is spot on. Happy New Year 2025, Dear Amigo
Mike H. says
Happy New Year to you, too, Boo! Thank you very much for your kind words - you made my day! =)
Kit says
Mike, are the tomatillos blended raw or is it preferable to cook them first? Thank you.
Mike Hultquist says
Kit, you can do either way, actually, as they will cook as you simmer. I do like the extra flavor you get by roasting them, but you can skip that to save time if you want. Let me know how it turns out for you. Enjoy!
Matthew Williams says
When you say ham hock are you using a smoked ham hock?
Thanks! This looks amazing.
Mike Hultquist says
I prefer a smoked ham hock, Matthew, but either will work. Enjoy!
Marie says
How much Salsa Verde does this use? A friend of mine makes Salsa Verde from scratch, so I don’t need to make my own I don’t think. But I’m unsure how much to measure out for this if I’m not making the Salsa myself.
Mike Hultquist says
Marie, it uses about 3 cups. You can add more or less to your preference. Enjoy!
Linda MacKenna Ikuta says
Made this recipe with milder green chiles but added some green Hatch chile powder. Had port loin that I cut up. I think I like this type of Pozole over the red type. Made it in the crockpot too. We loved it!
Mike H. says
I am happy to hear that, Linda. Thank you!
Boo says
So satisfying, yes we use to make it with pig's head but these are good subs, pork neck, pork shank, or pork ribs. But the piggy head lent excellent flavor, truly.
Made mine a little more spicy, added the radishes, limes, cilantro, cabbage, freshly made corn tortillas with your salsa recipe. Took my time cooking. Everyone was so happy ! They begged to take some home, was more than happy to oblige. It was a long day but when we sat down to eat, we each recalled our own memories celebrating this wonderful dish. Thank you so much Mike for sharing, inspiring. People please do not be afraid to try this dish, the feast will be marvelous. rate it all the stars above us all.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much, Boo! Sounds outstanding!
Yolanda Chapa says
can we use the instant pot for the pozole verde?
suggestions/tips?
thanks,
Yolanda Chapa
Mike Hultquist says
Yolanda, I have not tested an Instant Pot version of this recipe, but I know you can to make the stock. I would pressure cook for 1 hour, then proceed with the recipe. Make the salsa verde on its own, then simmer it all together to warm and let the flavors meld. Let me know how it goes if you try it.
Elliot Fisch says
Are the tomatillos put in uncooked or can the be roasted first? I think roasting would give them more flavor.
Mike Hultquist says
You can definitely roast them, Elliot, though they do cook when simmering. The choice is yours!
Ron Keller says
Mike, having lived in Albuquerque, for many years and now Cibolo, Texas, I’ve had Green and Red that was cooked for several hours. Personally, I prefer Rojo Vs Verde. Regardless, which ever you like or choose it should never be made with canned Hominy, only dried. The dried adds so much flavor, plus added crunch. There is a method of taking canned, drying or hardening you might include in future post. Love seeing your emails with recipes!
Mike Hultquist says
It is better with dried, Ron, though super convenient for many people to use canned, which work well. I appreciate the comments. Thanks!
Victor Calautti says
Hey mike lov your recipes but I was wondering do they not make a red pozole also, I’d love to see a recipe. Thanks.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Victor! Yes, check out my Pozole Rojo Recipe (Red Posole) here: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/pozole-rojo/