Pozole

Pozole
Evan Sung for The New York Times
Total Time
About 2 hours, plus hominy soaking time
Rating
4(580)
Comments
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Pozole is a traditional soup or stew from Mexico. Variations use different kinds of meat, like beef, chicken, turkey or even pork rinds instead of the pork used here. But the hominy is the constant.

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Ingredients

Yield:8 servings
  • 2tablespoons neutral oil
  • 2pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 1large onion, chopped
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 4dried chipotle, ancho or gaujillo chiles
  • 2cups dried hominy, soaked in a couple of changes of water for 8 to 12 hours
  • 2tablespoons fresh oregano, or 2 teaspoons dried
  • 2tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2tablespoons minced garlic
  • Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Lime wedges for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

358 calories; 25 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 21 grams protein; 482 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add pork and onions and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pork and onions are deeply browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Meanwhile, pull off whatever stems you can from chiles; break them in half and pour or scrape out some or all of the seeds. (The more you leave in, the hotter the stew will be.) When pork and onions are browned, add chiles, hominy, oregano and cumin. Add water to cover everything by about an inch. Bring to a boil, then adjust heat so the mixture simmers steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding more liquid if necessary, until pork and hominy are tender, at least 1½ hours.

  3. Step 3

    If you like, fish out and discard chile pieces, or chop them up and stir them back into the pot. Stir in garlic and cook a few minutes more; taste and adjust the seasoning. The mixture should be a little soupy. Serve in bowls, garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
580 user ratings
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Comments

I really love this recipe and make it often. It's simple to make and so comforting. I like pozole just a touch thicker, so after it's been simmering for a while, I ladle out a few scoops of the broth and pulse in the food processor with one small corn tortilla. I add it back to the pot and cook until it breaks down completely. It thickens the pozole and adds a hint of nutty corn flavor. Also, I prefer to discard the chile pieces. When they cook that long they get an unpleasant, stringy texture.

Cooks’ choice, of course, but why anyone (but a major glutton for punishment) would willingly deal with dried hominy completely defeats me—it’s not just another dried legume but a product that’ll fight you all the way—and often win! Drained & rinsed canned are excellent!

Instead of processing a tortilla, you could add some masa harina to tighten it. Same stuff with which corn tortillas are made.

You can use the instant pot for dried hominy. Soak for 8 or more hours and then 1 hour on pressure cook in IP. It works well. Then add to the rest of the soup. I use Rancho Gordo pozole.

If you are lucky enough to have a Mexican supermarket where you live, you may be able to find frozen cooked hominy. SO MUCH BETTER than canned. And SO MUCH EASIER than cooking dried hominy! Also you will have a choice of probably 20 different dried chilis! I use guajillo chilis. Not too spicy! They are great in this recipe!

The seeds are not the hottest part of the pepper. That’s a myth.

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