Introduction

Pork Pozole Verde is a traditional Mexican stew that’s bright, flavorful, and comforting. Made with tender pork, hominy, and a vibrant green sauce of tomatillos, jalapeños, and fresh herbs, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors. Using a slow cooker makes it even better: the pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, the flavors have time to meld, and the kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma.

Pozole verde is a celebration of freshness and depth. It’s ideal for gatherings, Sunday dinners, or festive occasions, but it’s easy enough for a weekday meal. The combination of hearty pork, hominy, and bright green sauce makes every bite satisfying and flavorful.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s both comforting and vibrant. The slow-cooked pork absorbs the tangy, slightly spicy green sauce, creating a rich and hearty stew. Every spoonful bursts with flavor — the hominy adds texture, the tomatillos provide brightness, and the fresh herbs elevate the dish.

It’s also practical and flexible. You can prep everything in the morning, let the slow cooker do its work, and come home to a meal that feels like it simmered for hours. It’s authentic, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with family or friends.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Authentic Mexican flavors: Bright, tangy, and savory.
• Hands-off cooking: Slow cooker does all the work.
• Perfect for gatherings: Feeds a crowd with minimal effort.
• Customizable: Adjust spice levels, herbs, or toppings to your taste.
• Comforting yet light: Rich pork flavor with fresh, herbaceous notes.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 6–8 hours on LOW or 4–5 hours on HIGH
• Total Time: 6–8 hours 20 minutes
• Servings: 6–8
• Calories: ~400 kcal per serving
• Course: Main Course / Soup / Stew
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

For the Pozole Verde

• 2–3 lbs (900 g–1.3 kg) pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into large chunks
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 cups tomatillos, husked and rinsed
• 2–3 jalapeños (or more for heat)
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 cups chicken or pork broth
• 2 cans (15 oz each) hominy, drained and rinsed
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Optional Garnishes

• Shredded cabbage or lettuce
• Diced radishes
• Lime wedges
• Chopped onions
• Avocado slices
• Crushed tortilla chips or tostadas

Cooking Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Green Sauce (Salsa Verde)

1. In a blender, combine tomatillos, jalapeños, cilantro, onion (1/2 onion from recipe), garlic (2 cloves), cumin, oregano, and 1 cup of broth. Blend until smooth. Set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Pork (Optional)

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown pork chunks on all sides to enhance flavor.

Step 3: Assemble in Slow Cooker

1. Add browned pork (or raw if skipping browning), remaining onion, garlic cloves, bay leaf, remaining broth, and blended green sauce to the slow cooker.
2. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Slow Cook

1. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until pork is tender and easily shredded.

Step 5: Add Hominy

1. About 30 minutes before serving, add drained hominy. Stir to combine.

Step 6: Shred Pork

1. Remove pork chunks, shred using two forks, and return to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

Step 7: Adjust Seasonings

1. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or heat as desired.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method (Summary)

1. Blend tomatillos, jalapeños, cilantro, garlic, and spices for green sauce.
2. Brown pork (optional).
3. Add pork, onion, garlic, bay leaf, broth, and green sauce to slow cooker.
4. Cook on LOW 6–8 hours or HIGH 4–5 hours.
5. Add hominy 30 minutes before serving.
6. Shred pork and mix back into the stew.
7. Adjust seasonings and serve.

How to Serve

• Ladle into bowls and offer toppings like shredded cabbage, radishes, diced onion, avocado, lime wedges, and tortilla chips.
• Serve with warm corn tortillas or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Recipe Tips

• Roast tomatillos and jalapeños in the oven for a deeper flavor before blending.
• Adjust the number of jalapeños to control heat.
• Use pork shoulder for the best texture; it becomes tender and flavorful.
• Garnishes are key — they add crunch, freshness, and acidity that balance the rich stew.
• You can make it ahead and refrigerate; flavors develop even more after sitting overnight.

Variations

1. Chicken Pozole Verde: Substitute pork with boneless chicken thighs or breasts.
2. Spicy Pozole: Add serrano peppers or a few dashes of hot sauce to the green sauce.
3. Vegetarian: Use hominy, roasted green vegetables, and vegetable broth instead of pork.
4. Tomatillo Blend: Add roasted poblano peppers for extra depth.
5. Slow Cooker Instant Pot Version: Blend green sauce and cook pork and sauce in an Instant Pot on “Manual” for 30 minutes, then release pressure and add hominy.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Freeze portions for up to 3 months (best without garnishes).
• Reheating: Warm gently on stovetop or in microwave; add a splash of broth if needed to thin the stew.

Special Equipment Needed

• Slow cooker / Crockpot
• Blender (for green sauce)
• Skillet (optional for browning pork)
• Spoon or ladle for stirring
• Two forks for shredding pork

FAQ

Q: Can I skip browning the pork?
A: Yes, but browning adds depth of flavor.

Q: Can I use frozen pork?
A: Yes, increase cooking time slightly and ensure it reaches safe internal temperature.

Q: Can I make it spicier?
A: Add more jalapeños or serrano peppers to the green sauce.

Q: Can I make this in an Instant Pot?
A: Yes, cook pork and sauce on high pressure for 30 minutes, then release pressure and add hominy.

Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Replace pork with hearty vegetables and vegetable broth; keep hominy for texture.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Pork Pozole Verde is a vibrant, comforting, and satisfying stew that brings authentic Mexican flavors to your table with minimal effort. The tender pork, tangy green sauce, and hearty hominy create a perfect balance of richness, freshness, and texture.

This dish is perfect for family meals, festive gatherings, or meal prepping — every spoonful is bright, savory, and utterly comforting. Once you try it, it will become a staple in your slow-cooker rotation.