Ingredients
Scale
For the Chile Verde:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 6 tomatillos (husked and halved)
- 2–3 green chilies (such as poblano or Anaheim, stemmed and seeded)
- 1 jalapeño (optional, for extra heat)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano (Mexican if possible)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
For Serving:
- Warm tortillas (corn or flour)
- Rice (optional)
- Lime wedges (optional)
- Sliced radishes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients
- Roast the Chilies and Tomatillos: Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tomatillos and green chilies to the skillet and roast them for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skin is charred. This step adds smokiness and depth to the sauce.
- Peel the Garlic: Add the garlic cloves to the skillet for the last 1-2 minutes of roasting to lightly char them.
- Blend the Sauce: Once the tomatillos, chilies, and garlic are roasted, transfer them to a blender. Add a small amount of chicken broth and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the Pork
- Brown the Pork: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork cubes in batches, browning them on all sides. Remove the pork and set it aside.
- Sauté the Onion: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened and slightly golden.
- Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Combine Everything
- Simmer the Pork: Return the browned pork to the pot and pour in the roasted green sauce. Add the cumin, oregano, and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer Low and Slow: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the pork simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Finish and Serve
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the Chile Verde and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or cumin if needed.
- Garnish: Serve the Chile Verde hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges. It’s perfect over rice, tucked into warm tortillas, or served with a side of beans.
- Prep Time: 20 min.
- Cook Time: 1 hr. and 25 min.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 400-450 kcal
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g