Chile Verde Pork Recipe with Tender Meat and Zesty Green Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Chili Verde

This Chili Verde recipe brings together tender pork and a zesty green sauce that makes every bite exciting. It’s perfect for home cooks looking for something hearty yet simple to prepare on busy days. The fresh ingredients create a dish full of flavor, helping you enjoy healthy eating without much fuss.

One reason you’ll enjoy this recipe is its ease of preparation, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want a homemade meal quickly. It uses straightforward steps that don’t require fancy tools, so even if you’re new to cooking, you’ll feel confident. This means more time savoring the meal with family instead of stressing in the kitchen.

Another highlight is the health benefits from ingredients like fresh tomatillos and peppers, which pack in vitamins and antioxidants. Each serving offers about 240 calories, with 22 grams of protein to keep you full, plus nutrients such as 95.6 milligrams of vitamin C and 815 milligrams of potassium. This makes it a smart choice for those watching their diet while still indulging in tasty food.

This dish shines with its versatility, adapting to various preferences like vegan or gluten-free options. You can swap proteins or tweak the heat level to suit everyone at your table. Overall, it’s a vibrant meal that stands out in your weekly routine.

Essential Ingredients for Chili Verde

To make this Chili Verde recipe, you’ll need a selection of fresh and simple ingredients that come together for a delicious result. Let’s break down what you’ll use, focusing on precise measurements to help you shop and cook with ease. This list covers everything from the main protein to the zesty sauce components.

• 3 pounds (approximately 1.36 kilograms) of pork loin or pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of minced garlic
• 1/2 tablespoon of cumin
• 1/2 tablespoon of oregano
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 4 fresh poblano chiles, seeded and halved
• 2 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and halved, with seeds adjusted for spice preference
• 1.5 pounds (about 680 grams) of fresh tomatillos, husks removed
• 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

These ingredients create the base of your dish, with options for special dietary needs like vegan swaps or gluten-free checks. For instance, for a vegan version, you could replace the pork with firm tofu. Here’s a quick table to highlight the nutritional breakdown per serving, showing why this recipe is not just tasty but balanced too.

The recipe serves 8 people and takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes from start to finish. For more tips on fresh produce, check out our guide to fresh herbs on the blog.

How to Prepare the Perfect Chili Verde: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting started with Chili Verde is fun and straightforward, beginning with prepping your ingredients. First, season the pork with salt and pepper, then sear it in a large stock pot over high heat with 2 tablespoons of oil until it’s browned on all sides. This step locks in that juicy flavor you love.

Next, remove the pork and sauté the chopped onion until it’s tender, which brings out its sweetness. Add the minced garlic and cook it briefly to avoid burning, then stir in the 1/2 tablespoon each of cumin and oregano for that warm spice kick. Now, return the pork to the pot, pour in the 2 cups of chicken broth, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 2 to 4 hours until everything melds together nicely.

While the pork simmers, prepare the sauce by broiling the poblano peppers, jalapeños, and tomatillos cut side down for 7 to 10 minutes until they’re browned. Place the peppers in a plastic bag to steam and loosen their skins, then peel them off carefully. Blend the peppers, tomatillos, and 1/2 cup of cilantro until smooth, and add this mixture to the pot with the pork for another 30 to 45 minutes of cooking.

Finally, serve your Chili Verde hot with warm tortillas, rice, and beans for a complete meal. This method ensures tender meat and a zesty sauce that highlights the primary keyword, Chili Verde. If you’re curious about similar dishes, our easy Mexican recipes page has more ideas to try.

this …

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Chili Verde

Chili Verde is flexible, letting you tweak it for different needs without losing its charm. For protein swaps, replace pork shoulder with beef chuck for a richer taste or use shredded chicken breast to keep it lighter. These changes help maintain the dish’s heartiness while fitting various diets.

When adjusting vegetables or seasonings, try adding zucchini or corn for extra texture and sweetness. If you want less heat, swap jalapeños with bell peppers or reduce the seeds as noted. For a fresh twist, include lime juice to brighten the flavors, ensuring your Chili Verde stays versatile and delicious.

Remember, these modifications keep the essence of Chili Verde intact. Whether you’re making it vegan with tofu or gluten-free by checking broth labels, you’ll enjoy a meal that suits your lifestyle. This adaptability makes it a favorite for home cooks exploring new flavors.

Mastering Chili Verde: Advanced Tips and Variations

To take your Chili Verde to the next level, focus on key techniques like searing the meat in batches for better caramelization and flavor. Using a pressure cooker can cut down cooking time while keeping the pork tender, which is great for busy schedules. These pro tips help you build a deeper, more satisfying dish.

Experiment with flavors by roasting tomatillos or adding Mexican oregano for an authentic vibe. If you like smoke, toss in chipotle for extra depth, creating variations that keep things exciting. Presentation matters too, so garnish with cilantro or sliced radishes to make your plate look inviting.

For make-ahead options, prepare the dish a day early to let flavors blend, or freeze portions for quick meals later. According to experts, these steps balance tradition with creativity, making Chili Verde a go-to recipe. Adding these touches ensures every batch feels special and personalized.

When you try these variations, you’ll notice how simple changes can transform your Chili Verde into something truly unique.

How to Store Chili Verde: Best Practices

Proper storage keeps your Chili Verde fresh and tasty for later. Store cooked portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to lock in flavors. This method works well for meal prep, giving you easy access to homemade meals during the week.

For longer keeping, freeze the dish in freezer-safe bags or containers, labeling them with the date for reference. Use within 3 months to maintain quality, as freezing helps preserve the tender texture of the pork. When reheating, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently on the stove to avoid drying out the meat.

Consider dividing into single servings for convenience, adding fresh toppings right before eating. This approach not only saves time but also keeps the zing of Chili Verde alive. For more on food storage, an external resource like pork nutrition basics can offer useful insights.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Chili Verde

Chili Verde

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

🌶️ Experience the authentic taste of Mexico with this tender pork simmered in a vibrant green sauce that perfectly balances heat and freshness
🥩 Transform tough cuts of pork into melt-in-your-mouth meat as the zesty tomatillo and chile sauce infuses every bite with bold, complex flavors

• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

– 3 pounds (approximately 1.36 kilograms) of pork loin or pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

– 2 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil

– 1 large yellow onion, chopped

– 3 cloves of minced garlic

– 1/2 tablespoon of cumin

– 1/2 tablespoon of oregano

– 2 cups of chicken broth

– 4 fresh poblano chiles, seeded and halved

– 2 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded and halved, with seeds adjusted for spice preference

– 1.5 pounds (about 680 grams) of fresh tomatillos, husks removed

– 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-Getting started with Chili Verde is fun and straightforward, beginning with prepping your ingredients. First, season the pork with salt and pepper, then sear it in a large stock pot over high heat with 2 tablespoons of oil until it’s browned on all sides. This step locks in that juicy flavor you love.

2-Next, remove the pork and sauté the chopped onion until it’s tender, which brings out its sweetness. Add the minced garlic and cook it briefly to avoid burning, then stir in the 1/2 tablespoon each of cumin and oregano for that warm spice kick. Now, return the pork to the pot, pour in the 2 cups of chicken broth, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for 2 to 4 hours until everything melds together nicely.

3-While the pork simmers, prepare the sauce by broiling the poblano peppers, jalapeños, and tomatillos cut side down for 7 to 10 minutes until they’re browned. Place the peppers in a plastic bag to steam and loosen their skins, then peel them off carefully. Blend the peppers, tomatillos, and 1/2 cup of cilantro until smooth, and add this mixture to the pot with the pork for another 30 to 45 minutes of cooking.

4-Finally, serve your Chili Verde hot with warm tortillas, rice, and beans for a complete meal. This method ensures tender meat and a zesty sauce that highlights the primary keyword, Chili Verde. If you’re curious about similar dishes, our easy Mexican recipes page has more ideas to try.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🌶️ Adjust the heat level by keeping some jalapeño seeds if you prefer spicier sauce, or remove all seeds for a milder version
🥩 Pork shoulder gives the best results for tenderness, but pork loin works well too – just be careful not to overcook it
⏰ This dish tastes even better the next day, so consider making it ahead and letting the flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Braising
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 301mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 69mg