Rating: 3.81
(171)

Pork Pozole

August 30, 2023

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.

Pork Pozole
Pork Pozole
3.81 from 171 votes
A delicious and hearty Mexican soup made with pork and hominy.
Servings 8 people
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 22gFat: 19gFiber: 3g
Calories: 350kcal
Meal Type: Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: mexican, Mexican Cuisine, mexican food, pork, soup
Cooking Method: Boiled
Time: >45 Min
Level: Moderate
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar titus.koelpin says:

    2 stars
    What even is hominy? Is it necessary? Gonna try with regular corn instead.

  2. User avatar kimberli.wilderman says:

    5 stars
    Delicious recipe! I added a bit more cumin, and it turned out fantastic!

    1. User avatar edison.schamberger1974 says:

      5 stars
      I love that you added more cumin! It really can enhance the flavor. Can’t wait to try it! 🌮

  3. User avatar maurice.yundt1966 says:

    3 stars
    I followed it pretty closely but I swear my pork took way longer than 2 hours to get tender. Like almost 3.5. Still tasty, but the timing might be optimistic depending on the cut.

  4. User avatar Yasmin Carroll Sr. says:

    4 stars
    Easy to follow! I added some jalapeños for a kick and it turned out great. Will make again!

  5. User avatar rosalina.schaden92 says:

    3 stars
    The instructions are clear, but I wish you mentioned the radishes/lime/avocado in ingredients. I almost forgot to prep toppings, and then it felt kinda sad without them.

    1. 5 stars
      Good catch! The ingredient list omits radish/lime/avocado even though the instructions say to top with them. I’ll update that next time—those toppings totally make the bowl feel “finished.”

    2. User avatar voncile.corkery52 says:

      4 stars
      I agree—when I was reading I only saw cilantro and thought, wait… where do the radishes/lime/avo go? I ended up scrambling at the store. Tbh it still tasted good but kinda sad like you said 😅

  6. 4 stars
    Easy to follow and it turned out great! Used leftover pork from a roast and it worked fine. Yum!

  7. 4 stars
    I used beef instead of pork, hope that’s ok? Tasted different but still yummy.

  8. User avatar lavern.lesch says:

    4 stars
    Less than 2 hours cooking, more like 5 hours to get it nice. Worth the wait tho!

    1. 5 stars
      I totally agree! It’s so much better when you let it simmer longer. The flavors really come together!👏

    2. User avatar kina.smith2 says:

      2 stars
      5 hours? That seems a bit much. I thought this was supposed to be a quick recipe. 🤔

  9. User avatar Flame Atronach says:

    5 stars
    so good!!! i kinda used dried cilantro bc i was out and it still worked lol. next time will add radishes for sure

  10. User avatar curtis.lindgren93 says:

    4 stars
    I added some jalapeños for extra heat, and it turned out great! Thanks for the base recipe!

  11. User avatar rosenda.denesik1966 says:

    4 stars
    Great recipe! I added some jalapeños for spice and it was a hit at the family dinner. 🌶️❤️

    1. 5 stars
      Jalapeños sound like a delicious addition! I might try that next time. Thanks for the tip! 😊

  12. User avatar liana.hettinger74 says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! The flavors were so rich and hearty. Will definitely make again!

  13. 5 stars
    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.

  14. User avatar hannelore.gulgowski13 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is absolutely delicious! The flavors are amazing and my family loved it.

    1. User avatar gabriel.stark92 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! This pozole recipe is a game changer. My family devoured it too!

  15. 4 stars
    2 hours was not enough for my pork shoulder—had to simmer closer to 3.5 hours. Still tasty, just plan for patience.

    1. User avatar ha.corkery99 says:

      5 stars
      Good to know—my pork shoulder always takes forever too. I’ll plan for ~3 hours at least next time. The flavor sounds worth the wait.

  16. User avatar kurtis.wehner46 says:

    1 star
    Took forever to cook and my pork didn’t tenderize like I thought it would. Disappointed 🙁

    1. User avatar darlena.fay53 says:

      4 stars
      Sorry to hear that! Maybe it needed more time? I’ve had better luck cooking my pork for longer. Definitely worth a try!

  17. 5 stars
    So delicious! Can’t believe I made this at home. My family loved it! A recipe I’ll keep!

  18. User avatar fabian.daugherty says:

    1 star
    Too many steps for me, I got lost halfway. I’ll stick to simpler recipes.

  19. User avatar Questular Rontok says:

    4 stars
    It’s good but I think I would add more spices next time. But still a solid meal.

    1. User avatar Donnell O'Hara says:

      5 stars
      I agree, more spices would definitely elevate the flavor! Have you tried adding chili powder or maybe some cayenne for heat?

  20. User avatar magan.lakin says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved it! The flavors were amazing. Will make again for sure!

    1. User avatar Duncan Idaho says:

      5 stars
      So glad you loved it! The flavors are just perfect. What toppings did you use?

3.81 from 171 votes
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