Pork Chile Verde

My first taste of chile verde, was not from home, but from a restaurant/tortilleria, Ramonas, that my Dad did jobs for. They would hire him to repair their commercial size tortilla machines. These machines would produce thousands of dozens of tortillas everyday. Their version of pork chile verde was prepared with shredded beef and they would add potatoes as well. We would enjoy a huge burrito on their 14 flour tortillas. Soon, my Mom was preparing her version of chile verde at home and once in a while she would prepare it with pork. The pork version of chile verde is very popular in the  New Mexico, prepared with their famous Hatch green chiles.

For this version of pork chile verde, I cooked the pork shoulder, low and slow, on the stove top covered with water. You could roast it in the oven as well, but the broth created from cooking it on the stove top is a key ingredient to a great tasting chile verde. And yes, I used a few tablespoons of lard to brown the pork. All in moderation, I say. The pictures show both with and without potatoes. It’s up to you.  This is a big batch of pork chile verde. It freezes well!

For this version of pork chile verde. I added potatoes!! If you want to see this variation, click here! Verde

After the pork has browned, add aromatics

Love the vibrant green colors of the chile verde/tomatillo sauce when it first goes in

Pork Chile Verde

Pork Chile Verde is one of those low and slow recipes that once it's done, you will be so happy you invested the time!

4.5 from 2 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours 43 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 13 minutes

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 to 5 pounds pork shoulder
• * trim off some of the fat and slice into 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 bulb of garlic reserve other half for recipe
• Salt
• Water
• 2 tablespoons of pork lard or shortening
• 1 medium white onion diced
• 3 serranos or jalpeños diced
• 4 cloves of reserved garlic minced
• 4 cups diced green chiles previously roasted
• 1 1/2 pounds of tomatillos previously poached until soft
• 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
• 2 cups pork broth
• 2 teaspoons crushed Mexican oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Directions

• Add the pork to a large dutch oven pot. Also add the bay leaves, 1/2 bulb of garlic, 3 teaspoons of salt and enough water to cover the pork. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and continue cooking until pork is tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Skim off the top when needed.
• Remove pork from broth and let cool. Strain the broth and skim off some of the grease on top, set aside.
• In a heavy pot, preheat the 2 tablespoons of lard to medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the pork and cook until nicely browned on most sides. While pork is browning, to the blender, add the green chiles and tomatillos and blend until smooth, set aside.
• To the pork, add the onions, chile peppers and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the green chile sauce from blender, cilantro, 2 cups of pork broth, oregano, cumin, granulated garlic and pepper. Bring to a boil, taste for salt, cover and continue cooking for 1 hour. Add the masa harina slurry, stir to combine quickly and continue cooking for another 30 to 40 minutes. Serve with warm corn tortillas.

Notes

Tips~If  are able to roast your own fresh Anaheim  peppers, here is a quick stove top method that I use often. Although for bigger quantities, roasting in the oven works as well.

Preheat a nonstick pan to medium/high heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Lay the peppers in pan and cook them until they start to blacken and blister in spots. Add about 1 teaspoon of  oil to the peppers and turn as needed, until most sides are blackened. Transfer to a plate and cover with plastic wrap. After about an hour, remove the blistered skins, stems and seeds. Slice, chop, or leave whole for your favorite recipes.

Tips~ To prepare a smaller batch of pork chile verde, I will often use the  2 1/2 pounds of boneless pork tips or boneless country style ribs. Both work out great and both are delicious!

Tried this recipe?Mention @pinaenlacocina or tag #pinaenlacocina!

Tips~ I took a little help from the store and purchased 4(10 ounces each) cans of whole green chiles and 1 large can of tomatillos. During the winter months it’s harder to find the fresh ingredients, so I rely on the canned. And when I remember, I like to roast some extra poblanos and jalapeños and add some in at the end.

The tacos of chile verde are prepared with the no potato version! Can you tell which tortilla is store bought?

Above, a gordita! The chile verde is so chunky I had to lice the gordita all the way open!