Skip to main content

Red Posole With Pork

4.6

(6)

A twohandled pot of red posole with pork.
Photo by Peden + Munk

If you’ve never made posole, this is a good starter recipe. There are no hard-to-get cuts (like the pig’s head called for in many traditional versions), and most of the process is hands-off.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

3 pounds pork shoulder (Boston butt)
1 large white onion, halved through root end, plus chopped for serving
2 heads of garlic, halved crosswise
1 bay leaf
3 whole cloves
10 guajillo chiles, ribs and seeds removed
6 dried chiles de árbol, ribs and seeds removed
Kosher salt
3 (15-ounce) cans white hominy, rinsed
Thinly sliced cabbage, thinly sliced radishes, dried oregano, and lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place pork shoulder, onion halves, garlic, bay leaf, and cloves in a large pot. Pour in 14 cups water (pork should be submerged). Bring to a simmer and cook, skimming as needed and turning pork occasionally, until meat is cooked through and tender but not yet falling apart, 2½–3 hours. Transfer pork to a plate; let cool slightly. Strain broth into a large bowl, then transfer back to pot. Slice pork into ½" slices and add to broth.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Toast all the chiles on a rimmed baking sheet until brown (do not char) and starting to lightly puff in places, about 5 minutes. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan; add chiles. Remove from heat and let chiles soak until softened, 10–12 minutes. Blend chiles and cooking liquid in a blender until smooth; season with salt.

    Step 3

    Add chile purée to pork and broth. Bring to a simmer, add hominy, and cook, skimming off fat from surface, until pork is so tender it’s nearly falling apart, 45–60 minutes; season with more salt.

    Step 4

    Divide posole among bowls, top with onion, cabbage, radishes, and oregano. Serve with lime wedges.

    Do Ahead: Posole can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
Traditionally, this Mexican staple is simmered for hours in an olla, or clay pot. You can achieve a similar result by using canned beans and instant ramen.
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.
Scoop up these warmly spiced chickpeas with any flatbread or spoon them onto rice.
Tender, well-glazed, and just spicy enough, these ribs are the ultimate grill-out food. Cook fully in the oven ahead of time and finish them on the grill.
A plant-based spin on chorizo to put toward tacos, quesadillas, and more.
A pinch of sugar in the spice rub ensures picture-perfect grill marks with layers of flavor.
Braise tender pork belly in soy and vinegar, then grill with shishito peppers and toss with ginger and a tangy dressing for bold, savory Filipino dinakdakan.
Leftover rotisserie chicken finds new purpose in this endlessly comforting dish.