Slow-Simmered Pozole Verde with Hominy and Pork Shoulder

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty Mexican stew featuring tender pork shoulder and hominy in a vibrant, tangy green chili broth. This mexican-inspired soups ready in about 140 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch cubes pork shoulder, medium, husked and rinsed tomatillos, stemmed and seeded jalapeño peppers for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes, 1 soaked cup dried hominy, 1 large quartered yellow onion, 4 peeled garlic cloves, and 6 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 1.5 hours until pork is tender.
  2. Step 2: While pork simmers, blend 8 husked tomatillos, 2 stemmed and seeded jalapeño peppers, 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp salt with 1 cup of the cooking broth until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Strain the green sauce into the pot with pork and hominy, stir well, and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes until the broth thickens slightly and flavors meld.
  4. Step 4: Adjust seasoning with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Serve hot with lime wedges, thinly sliced radishes, 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, and 1 cup diced avocado on the side for garnish.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Pozole Verde with Hominy and Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Simmered Pozole Verde with Hominy and Pork Shoulder?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large, quartered yellow onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Pozole Verde with Hominy and Pork Shoulder?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Simmered Pozole Verde with Hominy and Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow-Simmered Pozole Verde with Hominy and Pork Shoulder?

Mexican soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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