The Heartwarming Homemade Pozole Recipe Everyone Loves

Steaming bowls of hearty pozole recipe burst with vibrant Mexican flavors that dance on your palate.

This traditional soup carries generations of culinary heritage from central Mexico.

Tender meat and hominy simmer together in a rich, deeply seasoned broth that warms every sense.

Chili peppers and fragrant spices create a complex layering of taste that feels both comforting and exciting.

Crisp toppings like radishes, cabbage, and lime add bright, fresh contrasts to the robust base.

Each spoonful tells a story of family gatherings and time-honored cooking traditions.

You’ll want to gather your ingredients and start this delicious culinary adventure right away.

Ingredient Checklist for Hearty Mexican Soup

• Pork: A tender and flavorful meat that forms the hearty foundation of this Mexican soup.

• Dried Chiles, Garlic: Provides deep, complex flavor and authentic Mexican warmth to the soup.
• Bay Leaves, Salt, Bouillon: Adds aromatic depth and enhances the overall savory profile of the dish.

• Water: The cooking medium for creating the soup's base and tenderizing the pork.
• Tomato Sauce: Contributes rich, tangy undertones to the soup's flavor.
• Hominy: A traditional Mexican corn product that adds texture and authenticity to the soup.

• Oil: Used for cooking the chile sauce and preventing sticking.

• Various Toppings: Allows personal customization and adds fresh elements to the finished soup.

Stepwise Guide for Hearty Mexican Soup

Step 1: Cube and Boil Pork

Slice the pork into bite-sized chunks.

Transfer meat to a large pot, cover completely with water.

Bring to a rolling boil and carefully remove any foam that rises to the surface using a slotted spoon.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

• Chopped onion
• Whole garlic cloves
• Bay leaves
• Salt
• Bouillon

Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer gently for about 90 minutes until pork becomes tender.

Step 3: Prepare Chile Mixture

Place deseeded chiles in boiling water.

Cook for approximately 15 minutes until they become soft and pliable.

Step 4: Blend Chile Sauce

• Cooking liquid
• Remaining garlic cloves

Blend until you achieve a completely smooth consistency.

Step 5: Develop Chile Sauce

Heat oil in a skillet.

Pour the blended chile mixture into the pan.

Cook and stir for 10 minutes to intensify flavors and reduce slightly.

Step 6: Clean Pork Broth

Remove and discard the aromatics (bay leaves, whole garlic cloves) from the pork pot.

Step 7: Combine All Components

• Prepared chile sauce
• Tomato sauce
• Additional seasonings
• Hominy

Simmer the soup for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld together.

Step 8: Final Seasoning

Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed with salt, pepper, or additional spices.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Plate the soup and offer an array of traditional Mexican toppings.

Soup Tips: Hearty Mexican Edition

• Select well-marbled pork shoulder or butt for tender, flavorful results that melt in your mouth.
• Remove foam during initial boiling to create a clearer, cleaner broth without impurities.
• Toast dried chiles briefly before boiling to enhance their rich, smoky flavor profile.
• Adjust chile quantity or remove seeds to manage heat intensity for different taste preferences.
• Top with fresh cilantro, diced onions, lime wedges, and avocado for added texture and brightness.

Recipe Twists for Hearty Mexican Soup

• Vegetarian Pozole: Replace pork with firm tofu or jackfruit, using vegetable broth instead of meat-based bouillon. Maintain the rich chile sauce and hominy for authentic flavor.
• Chicken Pozole Verde: Swap pork with shredded chicken, using green chiles like poblano and jalapeño for a lighter, zestier version. Keep the same cooking technique and traditional toppings.
• Slow Cooker Pozole: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after initial pork browning. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, allowing flavors to develop deeply without constant monitoring.
• Gluten-Free Pozole: Ensure all ingredients like bouillon and tomato sauce are certified gluten-free. Use corn-based hominy and verify chile sauce ingredients for total gluten elimination.

Serving Up Hearty Mexican Soup with Flair

• Fiesta Bowl Presentation: Create a vibrant Mexican-style soup bowl with colorful garnishes that pop against the rich, hearty broth.
• Texture Symphony: Layer crunchy tortilla strips, creamy sliced avocado, and fresh cilantro to add multiple textures and elevate the dining experience.
• Zesty Toppings Parade: Sprinkle tangy queso fresco, squeeze fresh lime wedges, and add diced white onions for a burst of bright, fresh flavors that complement the deep, slow-cooked pork.
• Spice Level Control: Serve with extra hot sauce on the side, allowing guests to customize their heat level and enjoy a personalized soup adventure.

Storing Hearty Mexican Soup for Freshness

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop and taste even better the next day.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water or broth if the soup seems too thick.
• Keep fresh toppings like cilantro, lime wedges, and diced onions separate from the main soup when storing. Add these just before serving to maintain their fresh crunch and vibrant flavor.

FAQs

• What makes this soup different from other Mexican soups?

This hearty soup combines tender pork, rich chile sauce, and hominy for a traditional pozole-style dish that offers deep, complex flavors unique to Mexican cuisine.

• Is this soup spicy?

The soup has a moderate heat level from the chiles, but you can adjust the spiciness by using fewer or milder chiles depending on your preference.

• What type of chiles work best for this recipe?

Dried guajillo or ancho chiles are ideal, providing a rich, slightly smoky flavor without overwhelming heat that complements the pork perfectly.

• Do I need any special cooking equipment?

You’ll just need a large pot, blender, and basic kitchen tools – nothing complicated or specialized is required to make this delicious soup.

Hearty Mexican Soup: Reasons to Enjoy It

• Savor Complex Flavors: Layers of spicy chile sauce, tender pork, and rich seasonings create a deeply satisfying Mexican soup that bursts with authentic taste sensations.
• Master Traditional Cooking: Step-by-step preparation introduces home cooks to genuine Mexican culinary techniques, transforming simple ingredients into a spectacular dish.
• Customize Your Bowl: Abundant toppings like fresh cilantro, chopped onions, and lime wedges let everyone personalize their soup, making it a fun, interactive meal for families and gatherings.
• Comfort in a Pot: Hearty protein-packed soup warms from the inside out, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying a soul-satisfying meal during cooler weather.

Pozole Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 10 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican pozole verde brings soulful comfort from Jalisco’s culinary traditions, blending tender pork, hominy, and green chile sauce in a richly satisfying bowl. Spicy garnishes and fresh cilantro complete this warming dish that connects you to generations of authentic Mexican cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 5 pounds (2.27 kilograms) pork shoulder/butt roast

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 tablespoons chicken bouillon

Chiles and Aromatics:

• 10 cloves garlic, divided
• 1 yellow onion, quartered
• 6 dried guajillo chiles
• 6 dried ancho chiles
• 1–3 dried chiles de arbol (optional)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 4 bay leaves
• 8 ounces (227 grams) can tomato sauce
• 2 (25 ounces/709 grams) cans white hominy, drained

Garnishes:

• Shredded cabbage
• Diced onion
• Fresh cilantro
• Lime wedges
• Avocado (optional)
• Sliced radishes (optional)
• Warm tortillas for serving

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Instructions

1. Cut pork into uniform 1-inch cubes and place in a large pot, covering with water. Bring to a rolling boil and carefully remove any accumulated foam from the surface.
2. Add whole onion, garlic cloves, bay leaves, salt, and bouillon to the pork. Reduce heat and allow to simmer gently for approximately 1.5 hours until meat becomes tender.
3. While pork simmers, prepare chiles by removing seeds and boiling them in water for 15 minutes to soften and enhance their flavor.
4. Transfer boiled chiles to a blender, incorporating 1 cup of chile cooking liquid and remaining garlic. Blend until creating a smooth, uniform sauce.
5. Heat oil in a separate pan and carefully cook the strained chile sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and develop deeper flavors.
6. Remove bay leaves, onion, and whole garlic cloves from the pork pot, leaving only the meat and broth.
7. Incorporate the prepared chile sauce, tomato sauce, additional seasonings, and hominy into the pork pot. Allow mixture to simmer for 30 minutes, melding all flavors together.
8. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, ensuring a balanced and rich flavor profile.
9. Ladle soup into serving bowls and garnish with traditional Mexican toppings for added texture and freshness.

Notes

• Select fatty pork cuts like shoulder or butt for richer, more tender meat that melts in your mouth during long simmering.
• Toast dried chiles briefly before boiling to enhance their complex, smoky flavor and release deeper aromatics.
• Customize heat levels by choosing mild ancho chiles or spicier guajillo varieties depending on personal spice tolerance.
• Make this soup gluten-free by using certified gluten-free bouillon and carefully checking tomato sauce ingredients.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 10
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg