Description
Hearty chili verde from Mexico showcases tender pork simmered in a tangy green sauce. Fragrant spices and roasted peppers create a comforting meal that connects you to authentic southwestern cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 12 lbs (680 g) tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 2–3 poblano peppers, roasted, peeled, and chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup (15 g) fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sear pork cubes in hot vegetable oil over medium-high heat until golden brown on all sides, then transfer to a separate plate.
- In the same pot, sauté diced onions until translucent and softened, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30-45 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors without burning.
- Char tomatillos under the broiler until blackened and blistered, then blend into a smooth, vibrant green sauce.
- Reintroduce browned pork to the pot, combining with tomatillo sauce, chopped poblano peppers, and jalapenos.
- Pour chicken broth into the mixture, seasoning generously with ground cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the chili verde to simmer for 1.5-2 hours, ensuring pork becomes fork-tender and flavors meld together.
- Finish the dish by stirring in fresh chopped cilantro and tangy lime juice moments before serving, enhancing the brightness and depth of flavors.
Notes
- Selecting pork with good marbling ensures tender, juicy meat that falls apart beautifully during slow cooking.
- Roasting tomatillos under the broiler adds a smoky depth and caramelized complexity to the sauce’s flavor profile.
- Consider using bone-in pork shoulder for extra richness and more intense meat flavor that melts in your mouth.
- For a lighter version, swap pork with chicken thighs or turkey, maintaining the recipe’s signature green sauce essence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg