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Linda

Pozole Recipe

This pozole recipe is a rich and comforting Mexican soup made with tender pork shoulder, hominy, and a flavorful red chile broth. Finished with shredded cabbage, radishes, onion, cilantro, lime, avocado, and crispy tostadas, it is hearty enough for family dinner and special enough for gatherings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 8 bowls
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 438

Ingredients
  

For the Soup
  • 2 pounds pork shoulder cut into large chunks
  • 1 large onion halved
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 8 cups water or chicken broth
  • 2 cans hominy drained and rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
For the Red Chile Sauce
  • 3 dried guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
  • 2 dried ancho chiles stems and seeds removed
  • hot water for soaking the chiles
For Serving
  • shredded green cabbage
  • radishes sliced
  • white onion diced
  • fresh cilantro chopped
  • lime wedges
  • avocado sliced or diced
  • tostadas or tortilla chips for serving

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Blender
  • Fine mesh sieve
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Ladle

Method
 

  1. Place the pork shoulder, onion, garlic, and water or chicken broth in a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
  2. Simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the pork is tender enough to pull apart easily with a fork.
  3. While the pork cooks, place the guajillo and ancho chiles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for 15 to 20 minutes, or until softened.
  4. Transfer the softened chiles to a blender with a little of the soaking liquid and blend until smooth. For a silkier broth, strain the chile sauce through a fine mesh sieve.
  5. Remove the tender pork from the pot and shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Return the pork to the pot. Discard the cooked onion and garlic if desired.
  6. Pour the chile sauce into the broth and stir well. Add the hominy and oregano, then simmer for 25 to 30 minutes more. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
  7. Ladle the pozole into bowls and top with cabbage, radishes, diced onion, cilantro, lime, avocado, and tostadas or tortilla chips. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Pork shoulder gives the best flavor and texture because it stays tender during a long simmer.
  • Straining the chile sauce creates a smoother, more polished broth.
  • Pozole often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to develop.
  • Store the toppings separately so they stay fresh and crisp.