Pork pozole is a rich and comforting soup that has deep roots in Mexican cuisine. Known for its heartiness and vibrant flavors, this dish is the perfect balance of tender pork, hominy, and a savory, spiced broth. Often served during celebrations or family gatherings, pozole brings people together with its warmth and deliciously complex flavors.
At the heart of pork pozole is the hominy, which is made from dried corn kernels that have been treated with alkali. These chewy, nutty kernels soak up the flavorful broth, giving pozole its signature texture. The pork, typically shoulder or belly, is simmered until it becomes tender and pulls apart easily. The broth is made with a base of chili peppers, like guajillo and ancho, which give the soup its rich red color and smoky heat. Along with garlic, onion, and various spices like cumin and oregano, the broth becomes a savory, spicy backdrop to the pork and hominy.
What makes pork pozole so special is the way it’s served. It’s typically garnished with fresh toppings such as shredded cabbage, radishes, cilantro, lime wedges, and crispy tostadas. These add brightness, crunch, and freshness to each bowl, creating a perfect balance with the rich and flavorful soup. Some people like to drizzle a bit of oregano and chili powder for an extra kick.
Pork pozole is not only incredibly flavorful but also highly versatile. It can be customized to your liking by adjusting the spice level or changing up the garnishes. You can also make it ahead of time, as the flavors improve the longer it sits. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner, pork pozole is always a crowd-pleaser.
With its rich history and comforting flavors, pork pozole is a dish that invites everyone to gather around the table and enjoy something truly delicious.

Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork shoulder cut into 2-inch cubes
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cans hominy 15 ounces each, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups chicken broth
- cilantro chopped fresh
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the pork cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in the dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the drained and rinsed hominy and chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2-3 hours, until the pork is tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Serve the pork pozole hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced radishes, lime wedges, and diced avocado.
What even is hominy? Is it necessary? Gonna try with regular corn instead.
Delicious recipe! I added a bit more cumin, and it turned out fantastic!
I love that you added more cumin! It really can enhance the flavor. Can’t wait to try it! 🌮
Easy to follow! I added some jalapeños for a kick and it turned out great. Will make again!
Easy to follow and it turned out great! Used leftover pork from a roast and it worked fine. Yum!
I used beef instead of pork, hope that’s ok? Tasted different but still yummy.
Less than 2 hours cooking, more like 5 hours to get it nice. Worth the wait tho!
I totally agree! It’s so much better when you let it simmer longer. The flavors really come together!👏
5 hours? That seems a bit much. I thought this was supposed to be a quick recipe. 🤔
I added some jalapeños for extra heat, and it turned out great! Thanks for the base recipe!
Great recipe! I added some jalapeños for spice and it was a hit at the family dinner. 🌶️❤️
Jalapeños sound like a delicious addition! I might try that next time. Thanks for the tip! 😊
Absolutely delicious! The flavors were so rich and hearty. Will definitely make again!
5 stars for comfort. I simmered until the pork was fork-tender and the whole pot smelled amazing. My family asked for seconds—no notes.
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The flavors are amazing and my family loved it.
I totally agree! This pozole recipe is a game changer. My family devoured it too!
Took forever to cook and my pork didn’t tenderize like I thought it would. Disappointed 🙁
Sorry to hear that! Maybe it needed more time? I’ve had better luck cooking my pork for longer. Definitely worth a try!
So delicious! Can’t believe I made this at home. My family loved it! A recipe I’ll keep!
Too many steps for me, I got lost halfway. I’ll stick to simpler recipes.
It’s good but I think I would add more spices next time. But still a solid meal.
I agree, more spices would definitely elevate the flavor! Have you tried adding chili powder or maybe some cayenne for heat?
Absolutely loved it! The flavors were amazing. Will make again for sure!
So glad you loved it! The flavors are just perfect. What toppings did you use?
Yum! I added some jalapeños for heat, it turned out great!
Pork and hominy, good combo. Would add some chili for a kick.
I forgot the hominy and it still tasted okay. 😅 Just not pozole without it tho.
Hominy is super important for the flavor! You really missed out. 😬
This was kind of bland for my taste. I expected more kick.
Bland? Really? I mean, it’s supposed to be comforting! You can’t expect every dish to blow your taste buds away.
I think it needs some chili or jalapeños to spice it up! That’s what makes pozole great. Just saying!
I did it, but I forgot to rinse the hominy. Still ate it though lol. It was edible, just saltier. Recipe directions are probably better—just my fault.
I think I prefer chicken pozole over this. Just not as good.
sooo gooood!! first time cooking pozole and I nailed it.
Yum!
Totally agree! This looks so good, I can’t wait to try making it myself!
Why do people put avocado in pozole? It doesn’t even go together!!
Just made this, and my family loved it! They’re asking for seconds.
Tasty!! But can we put beans in it too? I love beans!!
Beans would be good! I think black beans would add nice flavor. Has anyone tried that?
This looks so tasty! I can’t wait to make it for my family. Thanks for sharing!
So excited for you! This is a family favorite in our house. Enjoy!
Looks good, but can you make it without hominy? Not everyone likes it.
Tried it and my kids loved it! Will definitely be making it again.
Delicious! What a warm comfort food dish, perfect for the winter nights.
I tried making pozole before but it didn’t turn out right. Maybe I’ll give this one a shot.
Don’t give up! Pozole can be tricky, but this recipe looks straightforward. I think you can nail it this time!
I don’t know man, 2-3 hours seems like a long time. Is it really worth it?
Superb! My wife said it’s the best thing I’ve ever cooked. Thanks!
I never cooked pork before but this was pretty simple! Will make again.
This recipe was amazing! The flavors were so rich and the pork was tender. Definitely making this again!
pork is too fatty in my opinion. maybe try chicken for a lighter meal?
I get where you’re coming from, but pork adds a lot of flavor to this dish. Chicken might not be the same. Plus, fat can be flavor! 😋
This recipe is very hard to follow with all those steps. Can’t it be simpler?
I can totally see how it seems complicated at first, but it’s worth it! The flavors are amazing once you get the hang of it.
Meh. It was just okay. Maybe I expected too much?
What even is pozole? I thought it was gonna be like chili but it wasn’t lol.
Pork pozole? More like soggy soup! Mine came out weird. Gotta figure out what I did wrong.
I think I messed up the spice part. I put too much cumin and it tasted weird.
Cumin can be strong, but I think you can still fix it! Maybe add more broth or throw in some other spices?
Don’t worry, I often put too much cumin too! Just try adding some lime to balance it out. Make it a taco soup instead!
Why hominy?? can’t you just use normal corn? tastes the same to me.
I dunno, corn is corn, right? Just use what you like. Who needs fancy ingredients?
Hominy has a unique texture and flavor that regular corn just can’t match! It’s essential to authentic pozole.
Mmm…so good! Me and my friends all loved it. Can I freeze the leftovers?
I followed the recipe but it came out kinda bland. Maybe use more spices?
Not sure what went wrong, but mine turned out bland. Maybe I added too much broth?
Not sure why it says to simmer for 2-3 hours. I was hungry in 30 minutes and it was fine!
Took longer than 2 hours for my pork shoulder, but the end result was still tender. I used a bit more broth because it thickened up. Oregano + cumin combo is solid.
I followed the recipe but my pork came out tough. Maybe I cooked it too long?
This took forever to cook. I don’t think I’ll try it again. 2-3 hours is just too long.
I get that cooking can take forever sometimes, but it’s worth it! The flavors are usually amazing if you let it simmer a while.
Instructions were a bit confusing, but I figured it out. Not bad!
Confusing? I followed them step by step and it turned out great! Maybe just a little more patience needed?
Yeah, I thought the instructions were a bit tricky too! But once you get the hang of it, it’s really delicious!
Pork? I thought pozole was made with chicken. 🤔
I don’t get why people rave about this dish. It was a bit bland for my taste.
I’m not sure if I like hominy. It’s kinda gross… anyone else feel this way?
I don’t see why everyone loves this. It was just okay… kind of bland for my taste. 🤷♀️
Bland? Really? Everyone has different taste buds, I guess. I loved it as is!
I thought it was great! Maybe you just need to add more spices to suit your taste? Don’t give up on it! 😊
Not my thing. I found the cumin a little overpowering and the oregano flavor felt strong. I think I’d cut the spices in half if I made it again.
This tastes nice but it’s missing something… maybe more salt? I followed measurements exactly and felt like the cilantro garnish mattered a lot. Next time I’ll maybe add a bit of chili powder or salsa.
Mmm I get that! If you followed it exactly, I’d try bumping the salt a little and also taste after simmering—pozole can need that last adjustment.
SO good! I skipped the cilantro, but it was still tasty. 😋
I’m skeptical about pork in soup, does it really taste that great? I think I’ll stick to chicken next time.
Delicious! I added some hot sauce and it really kicked it up a notch! 🌶️
This recipe is absolutely fantastic! I never thought I could make such a delicious pozole at home. My family loved it!
Super easy to make! I made it with my kids and they had fun helping chop some things. Will definitely make again!
Really? 2-3 hours seems kinda long, I don’t got that time. Does it taste good if I hurry it up? 🤔
Sounds like such a family fun activity! I love that you got your kids involved. That’s the best way to bond and make memories. 😍
Pork, good. Pozole, good.
Meh, it was alright. Just didn’t hit the spot for me.
Maybe you just need to spice it up more? I love adding more herbs and a squeeze of lime to mine! 🍋
Absolutely delish! This is the best pozole I have ever made. My family loved it!
So glad to hear you loved it! Pozole is such a comforting dish. What toppings did you use?
I don’t know, that seems like a lot of time for cooking. Is it really that good? I made pozole once and it was just okay. 🤔
Hmm, I don’t know. Why do you need two cans of hominy? Seems a bit much, right?
This is a great recipe! So hearty and flavorful. My family loved it!
I agree, this recipe is a hit! So comforting and tasty. Perfect for cold nights!
Do I really need to simmer it for 3 hours? Can’t I just cook it faster? Not everyone has that much time!
I know it seems like a long time, but the longer you simmer, the better the flavor! Trust me, it’s worth it.
3 hours? That’s crazy! Who has that kind of time to make soup? Can’t just throw it all in and boil it?
Wow!!! I couldn’t believe how good it was! Definitely a repeat for me.
Why do you put hominy in this? I thought real pozole does not include that. Can someone clarify?
Pretty good! I’m not sure about the 4 cups broth though—mine was kinda low so I had to top it up. Flavor is great once you simmer it long enough.
Good to hear you got great flavor! Yeah, 4 cups broth can be a little tight depending on your pot size/how vigorously it simmers. I usually start with 3–4 cups and adjust as needed—better to add a splash than to end up drying it out.
Made this for a weeknight and it was way better than I expected. The hominy really soaks up all the pork flavor—comfort food for sure. I added radish and lime like the recipe says and it popped.
Honestly same—made it as a “quick” weeknight thing and it turned out way more comforting than expected. The hominy really carries the pork flavor. I didn’t even overthink the simmer time and it still hit.
I’m not sure about 2-3 hours for weeknights lol but glad it worked for you. I tried it once and my hominy was kinda bland, so maybe I didn’t brown the pork enough. Also the radish/lime combo is real—makes it pop.
Seems easy enough, but it took me longer than the recipe said. Maybe I’m slow? 🤔