I love this easy recipe of Mexican Pork in Chile Verde. My recipe is a shortcut version of a popular dish considered a classic in Mexican cuisine. It is easy to make and perfect to serve in tacos, with rice, beans, or a salad.
This recipe is part of my favorite Mexican Recipes and it could become one of your favorites too, together with my popular Tinga de Pollo(chicken tinga), Papas con Chorizo, Easy Chicken Tacos, Authentic Mexican Pico De Gallo With Tuna or Tinga Poblana- Mexican Pork Tinga.
Jump to:
What is Chile Verde
Pork in chile verde, commonly known as "Chile Verde," is a popular dish in both Mexico and the United States. It is a traditional Mexican recipe that has gained popularity across different regions in the US, particularly in areas with a significant Mexican population.
This Mexican recipe is one of my favorite recipes to make. Known also as Carne de Puerco en Salsa Verde, Chile Verde con Cerdo, Guisado de Puerco en Salsa Verde, or Green Pork Stew, this recipe is actually pork cooked in a sauce made with jalapeño peppers, roasted poblano, and tomatillos until it is tender and falling apart.
It is considered a "guisado" or a stew. While pork is usually the choice of meat, you can also use beef or chicken. In some recipes, nopalitos (or cactus leaves) are cooked together with pork for a delicious version. Some other recipes also add potatoes.
However, when time is short and I need a shortcut, I always have some bottles of Mexican green salsa in the house. We love that stuff. Sometimes, I take a trip to the Mexican store and get fresh ingredients for this recipe, but sometimes, I just whip this recipe fast by using a great jar of salsa verde from the pantry.
I was thinking of apologizing for not making this dish from scratch, but I don't have to. Like everyone else, I get busy sometimes, and recipes like this are fantastic when you have to put dinner on the table quickly.
I also know that people are super busy and don't take the time anymore to cook from scratch. While I totally understand the problem, I still think there are ways we can prepare quick dinners without using lots of processed ingredients.
What Kind Of Green Salsa To Use
Green salsa is usually made with jalapeno peppers, tomatillos, garlic, and other spices. If you ever wonder what tomatillos are, here is the answer: They are part of the tomato family.
They are also called "tomate verde" and a Mexican cuisine staple. The tomatillos are usually covered in a papery husk. That husk is removed before cooking.
These vegetables have a pleasant acidic flavor that brings freshness to the dish.
There are some awesome salsas out there, and most of them are quite similar when it comes to ingredients, so you really cannot go wrong with the flavors. You can also choose mild or hot salsa based on your preferences.
I usually go with mild salsa, but if you like spicier food, go for it.
What Kind Of Pork Meat To Use
I chose pork shoulder because, in my opinion, this cut has enough fat and flavor for this dish. If you don't have pork shoulder, use pork butt. Both cuts of meat require slow cooking, therefore perfect for this dish.
A few words about Mexican oregano:
Dried or fresh Mexican oregano has quite a different flavor from the more common Greek variety.
You can find this oregano in most grocery stores in the ethnic food section, online, or in the ethnic food markets.
So, let's start making this delicious dish!
How To Make This Pork Chile Verde
Step 1. Prepare the meat and vegetables.
Chop the meat, devein the jalapeños, and chop them small, then chop the onions and garlic.
Step 2. In a large pan, heat the oil and add the pork meat. Brown the meat on each side.
Step 3. Add the onions, garlic, jalapeños, and sauté gently until the onions become translucent.
Step 4. Add salsa and vegetable stock, cover, and simmer the pork on medium-low heat for about 25-30 minutes or until the pork is tender.
Step 5. When done, taste again for salt (be careful with it, as both salsa and the stock have salt in them). Add cilantro.
I served this dish with wonderful lemony rice made with white wine. You can also try this easy Mexican rice recipe.
Suggestion For This Dish
Chop 3-4 medium potatoes and add them to the sauce. Basically, after you add the salsa and the vegetable stock, add the potatoes and continue cooking everything together for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
Even though potatoes are already in this dish, it is still traditional in Mexico to serve it with rice, a combination that is very good, actually.
This dish is better if you cook it with some time before and then reheat it. I believe the flavors have time to get friendly with each other.
Refried beans or regular cooked beans can be added to the menu. Here is a recipe on how to make authentic Mexican beans. Fresh corn tortillas are the best, but if you prefer flour tortillas, go with them.
We did not serve the dish with tortillas, but the rice was perfect.
Also, if you prefer it without rice, a dollop of Mexican crema works well with the dish.
How To Store It
Store this pork in green salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
So, are you going to try it? I love meals like this that are relatively easy to cook and serve in one hour. Enjoy!
More Recipes To Love
📖 Recipe
Chile Verde (Pork In Green Salsa) Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 ¼ lb pork shoulder cut into 1 inch cuber
- 1 large onion finely chopped, or a smaller one and some green onions
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 2 jalapeno peppers deveined and chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- ⅔ cup vegetable stock
- 12 ounces jar Salsa verde Choose your favorite
- 1 bunch of cilantro chopped
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the pork cubes and cook over high heat, turning several times until browned all over.
- Add the onion, garlic, and jalapeno peppers and fry gently until soft. Stir in the oregano.
- Add the salsa and the vegetable stock, cover, and cook on medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes, or until the meat is soft.
- Before removing the pan from the heat, add the chopped cilantro and taste for salt.
- Serve with warm corn tortillas or cooked rice.
Notes
- Add potatoes. Chop 3-4 medium potatoes and add them to the sauce. Basically, after you add the salsa and the vegetable stock, add the potatoes and continue cooking everything together for 25-30 minutes. Even though potatoes are already in this dish, it is still traditional in Mexico to serve it with rice- a combination that is very good, actually.
- Leftovers are tasty. This dish is better if you cook it with some time before and then reheat it. I believe the flavors have time to get friendly with each other.
- Refried beans or regular cooked beans can be added to the menu. Here you have a recipe on how to make authentic Mexican beans.
- Fresh corn tortillas are the best, but if you prefer flour tortillas, go with them.
Kimberly says
Can I add all ingredients to a slow cooker if so any changes?
Gabriela says
Hi, Follow the first steps in the recipe before you add everything to the slow cooker. Brown the meat, saute the vegetables, then add everything to the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours. Besides the meat, there is nothing in the recipe to cook for a long time, so please check after 2 hours and see how the meat looks like. I hope this helps.
Gigi says
We made this the other night and it was delicious! We even had seconds. I made a big batch of it and froze some for the nights when we do not feel like cooking. We had it both with rice and some polenta. Such a great recipe!
Gabriela says
Gigi, I am so happy you liked it so much. It is such a good recipe and so easy to make! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.