Authentic Mexican Pork Posole
Delve into the rich culinary tradition of Mexico with this Authentic Mexican Pork Posole. This dish encapsulates the essence of Mexican cuisine, harmonizing the depth of spices with fresh, vibrant ingredients. Tender pork shoulder is slow-cooked until succulent, surrounded by a medley of roasted anaheim chilies, aromatic spices, and hearty vegetables. The addition of refried beans provides a creamy texture and deep flavor, making this a comfort food hero. Whether you savor it as a stew or roll it into a burrito, every bite transports you to the heart of Mexico. Ideal for family gatherings or cozy evenings, this recipe highlights the joy of cooking from scratch and makes every moment spent in the kitchen worthwhile.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
pork shoulder
2 1/2 lbs (cut into one-inch cubes)
flour
as needed (seasoned with salt and pepper, for dredging)
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking)
yellow onion
1 large (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 large (minced)
anaheim chilies
4 (roasted, skins and seeds removed, stem beheaded, coarsely chopped)
chili powder
3 tablespoons (for seasoning)
cumin
1 tablespoon (for seasoning)
bay leaf
1 (for seasoning)
basil
1/2 tablespoon (for seasoning)
thyme
1/2 tablespoon (for seasoning)
oregano
1/2 tablespoon (for seasoning)
chicken broth
3 1/2 cups (divided use)
plum tomatoes
28 ounces (drained, squeezed, chopped)
refried beans
1 (15 ounce) can (for creaminess)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
2
Dredge the pork shoulder cubes in seasoned flour, ensuring they're well-coated. Once the oil is hot, add the pork cubes to the pot, browning them on all sides until they achieve a deep, golden brown color. Set aside the browned pork.
3
In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and coarsely chopped roasted anaheim chilies. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
4
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, basil, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf, allowing the spices to release their flavors by cooking for 1 additional minute.
5
Deglaze the pot with ½ cup of chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Return the browned pork to the pot.
6
Pour in the remaining chicken broth, chopped plum tomatoes, and the can of refried beans. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
7
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pork is incredibly tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
8
Serve the posole in bowls as a hearty stew, accompanied by warmed flour tortillas for dipping, or use it as a filling for burritos topped with shredded iceberg lettuce, chopped fresh tomatoes, sour cream, and guacamole as desired.
9
For added heat, consider including more anaheim chilies or increasing the chili powder, but taste as you go to achieve your desired spice level.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Mexican Pork Posole?
It is a traditional Mexican stew featuring tender pork shoulder, roasted anaheim chilies, and aromatic spices, uniquely thickened with refried beans for a creamy texture.
What cut of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 lbs of pork shoulder cut into one-inch cubes.
How is the pork prepared before cooking?
The pork cubes are dredged in seasoned flour and browned on all sides in vegetable oil until they reach a deep golden color.
What gives this posole its creamy texture?
A 15-ounce can of refried beans is added to the mixture to provide a creamy consistency and deep flavor.
Which chilies are required for this dish?
The recipe uses 4 anaheim chilies that have been roasted, peeled, and seeded.
What are the primary spices used?
Key spices include 3 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of cumin, plus basil, thyme, oregano, and a bay leaf.
How much chicken broth is needed?
A total of 3 1/2 cups of chicken broth is used, part of which is used to deglaze the pot.
How long does the posole need to simmer?
The stew should simmer uncovered for approximately 2 hours to allow the pork to become tender and the flavors to meld.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use 28 ounces of plum tomatoes that have been drained, squeezed, and chopped.
Can I serve this posole in a burrito?
Yes, it can be used as a filling for burritos topped with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and guacamole.
What should the flour be seasoned with?
The flour used for dredging the pork should be seasoned with salt and pepper.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe requires 2 large minced garlic cloves.
What type of onion is recommended?
One large chopped yellow onion is used for the base aromatics.
Is the simmering done with a lid on?
No, the instructions specify to let it simmer uncovered.
How do you deglaze the pot?
Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth to the pot after sautéing the aromatics and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom.
How much cumin is included?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of cumin.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
How can I make this dish spicier?
You can increase the amount of chili powder or include more roasted anaheim chilies.
What size should the pork be cut into?
The pork shoulder should be cut into one-inch cubes.
What is a recommended side for the stew?
Warmed flour tortillas are recommended for dipping into the hearty stew.
How long do you sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté the onion, garlic, and chilies for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
Are the anaheim chilies added raw?
No, they should be roasted, with skins and seeds removed, before being coarsely chopped and added to the pot.
How much chili powder is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of chili powder.
What is the measurement for the herbs?
The recipe uses 1/2 tablespoon each of basil, thyme, and oregano.
Is there any bay leaf in this recipe?
Yes, one bay leaf is added during the spice-stirring step.
What type of oil is used for browning?
One tablespoon of vegetable oil is used.
How much plum tomato is needed?
The recipe calls for 28 ounces of plum tomatoes.
What heat level is used for simmering?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low for the 2-hour simmer.
What should be done with the tomatoes before adding them?
They should be drained, squeezed, and chopped.
What makes this a comfort food?
The combination of slow-cooked succulent pork, creamy refried beans, and deep spices creates a satisfying, hearty meal.