Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (2024)

Table of Contents
Chile Verde Ingredients Method FAQs
  • Recipes
  • Dinners
  • Comfort Food

Authentic Mexican pork chile verde! Chunks of pork shoulder slow cooked in a roasted tomatillo and jalapeno chile verde sauce. So good!

By

Elise Bauer

Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated September 24, 2023

119 Ratings

Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (2)

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Walk into almost any taqueria in this country and you will find chile verde on the menu. The chile will likely be made with chunks of pork shoulder, slow cooked in a green chile sauce of jalapeño chiles, garlic, and tomatillos.

It's a favorite filling for burritos and tacos, and wonderful just on its own with a bit of rice and tortillas.

Many recipes call for puréeing raw tomatillos and adding them to the pork to cook. In this recipe we roast the tomatillos first, browning their skins, to bring out more flavor.

Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (3)

I recently begged this recipe from my Acapulco friend, Arturo who was surprised I wanted it. "But Elise, it's so easy, anyone can make chile verde." Gracias, Arturo. We loved it.

Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (4)

Chile Verde

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time3 hrs

Total Time3 hrs 30 mins

Servings8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds tomatillos

  • 5 garlic cloves, unpeeled

  • 2 jalapeños, seeds and ribs removed, chopped

  • 2 Anaheim or Poblano chiles, optional

  • 1 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped

  • 3 1/2 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 to 2-inch cubes

  • Salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • Extra virgin olive oil

  • 2 yellow onions, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried oregano

  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock

  • Pinch ground cloves

To serve:

Method

  1. Prepare the tomatillos:

    Remove papery husks from tomatillos and rinse well.

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (5)

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (6)

  2. Roast the tomatillos, garlic:

    Cut in half and place cut side down, along with 5 unpeeled garlic cloves, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Place under a broiler for about 5-7 minutes to lightly blacken the skin. Remove from oven, let cool enough to handle.

    If you want the additional flavor of chilies other than jalapenos, you can add a couple Anaheim or poblano chiles. Either use canned green chiles or roast fresh chilies over a gas flame or under the broiler until blackened all around. Let cool in a bag, remove the skin, seeds, and stem.

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (7)

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (8)

  3. Puréetomatillos with garlic, jalapeño, cilantro:

    Place tomatillos, skins included, into blender. Remove the now roasted garlic cloves from their skins, add them to the blender. Add chopped Jalapeño peppers, other chilies (if you are using them), and cilantro to the blender. Pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and mixed.

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (9)

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (10)

  4. Sear pork on all sides:

    Season the pork cubes generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium high heat and brown pork chunks well on all sides.

    Work in batches so that the pork is not crowded in the pan and has a better chance to brown well. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, lift pork out of pan and place in bowl, set aside.

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (11)

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (12)

  5. Sauté onions and garlic:

    Pour off excess fat, anything beyond a tablespoon, and place the onions and garlic in the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally until limp, about 5 minutes.

  6. Add pork, oregano, tomatillo sauce, stock, ground cloves:

    If your skillet is large enough to cook the entire batch of chile verde, with the sauce and meat, then add the pork back to the pan. If not, get a large soup pot and add the onion mixture and the pork to it. Add the oregano to the pan.

    Add the tomatillo chile verde sauce to the pork and onions. Add the chicken stock (enough to cover the meat). Add a pinch of ground cloves. Add a little salt and pepper. (Not too much as the chile verde will continue to cook down and concentrate a bit.)

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (13)

    Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (14)

  7. Simmer 2-3 hours:

    Bring to a boil and reduce to a slight simmer. Cook for 2-3 hours uncovered or until the pork is fork tender.

    Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with Spanish rice and warmed flour tortillas or freshly made corn tortillas.

  • Comfort Food
  • Gluten-Free Dinners
  • Gluten-Free
  • Tomatillo
  • Pork Shoulder
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
491Calories
32g Fat
13g Carbs
38g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories491
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 32g41%
Saturated Fat 11g55%
Cholesterol 130mg43%
Sodium 284mg12%
Total Carbohydrate 13g5%
Dietary Fiber 3g10%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 24mg119%
Calcium 72mg6%
Iron 3mg18%
Potassium 911mg19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Cook Up the Homemade Chile Verde of Your Dreams (2024)

FAQs

What is chile verde sauce made of? ›

Purée tomatillos with garlic, jalapeño, cilantro: Place tomatillos, skins included, into blender. Remove the now roasted garlic cloves from their skins, add them to the blender. Add chopped Jalapeño peppers, other chilies (if you are using them), and cilantro to the blender.

What is a chile verde in English? ›

In Spanish, chili verde means green chili, as in the fruit. Chili verde is also a sumptuous stew, albeit with green chilis within the recipe. So, while these two examples are not the same, the translation means chili verde means both a green chili and a big bowl of stew.

How to make chile verde sauce thicker? ›

Use All-Purpose Flour or Cornstarch

All-purpose flour and cornstarch are useful for thickening chili, as well as sauces, soups, and stews.

How to eat chili verde? ›

This authentic Mexican chile verde is made of tender pieces of pork simmered in a flavorful tomatillo and green chile sauce. This stew is a staple in Mexican cuisine and is best served in a bowl over rice or with homemade tortillas for the best traditional Mexican meal.

Is verde sauce the same as enchilada sauce? ›

There are two main differences between green enchilada sauce and salsa verde. Enchilada sauce is cooked, while salsa verde is raw. Enchilada sauce is thinned out with a liquid (usually stock or water), while salsa verde is simply chopped or puréed vegetables and peppers.

When did they discontinue verde sauce? ›

Taco Bell took salsa verde off its menu in 2016.

What is the difference between salsa verde and chili verde? ›

Chile Verde literally means "green chili," and it's a Mexican stew made by cooking meat(usually pork) in a sauce made with green chili peppers and tomatillos until it is fall-apart tender. It is also known as Puerco con Salsa Verde.

What part of Mexico is chile verde from? ›

The actual chile verde originated in northern Mexico and is known in the US as the Anaheim pepper. Other types of chiles that may be used are chipotle chiles and chilaca chiles, as well as a green fruit called tomatillos (think tomato-cucumber hybrids), which is a staple in Mexican cuisine.

Is tomatillo sauce the same as verde? ›

Salsa verde in Mexico is a green salsa, which could be tomatillo or avocado based. However, salsas are typically referred to by ingredient, not color.

Does tomato paste make chili thicker? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

How do you make chili verde less sour? ›

Try adding more salt, a ¼ teaspoon at a time. Adding salt also helps to mellow out acidity and sometimes even take the edge off heat, so try adding a bit more, along with the sugar, if your tomatillos are sour or if the salsa is a bit too spicy.

How to thicken chili verde without cornstarch? ›

Cornstarch isn't the only way to thicken chili. You can also use flour, cornmeal, or masa harina as a cornstarch substitute.

How long does chili verde last in fridge? ›

Cook on low for 6 hours, or until the pork is tender. Store chili verde in an airtight container after it's been cooled down and add it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. The chili will last for up to 3 months frozen.

How do you thin chili verde? ›

Add the reserved verde sauce along with ½ cup chicken stock, or up to a cup if you'd like a thinner chili verde. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce the heat and cover.

What does verde taste like? ›

Its tangy and zesty flavor primarily comes from tomatillos, small green fruits known for their tartness, along with green chili peppers (such as jalapeños or serranos), cilantro, onions, garlic, and lime juice. The smoky undertone of salsa verde is often achieved by roasting these vegetables.

What is green chile sauce made of? ›

Although buying sauce at the store is quicker, the taste is no comparison for homemade. To make this Green Chile Sauce Recipe you'll need: Unsalted butter, onion, flour, chicken broth, green chiles, garlic, salt, and cumin.

Is salsa verde hotter than red salsa? ›

Typically red salsas are served slightly chilled, while green salsas can be served chilled or as a warm sauce. Another general rule? Red salsa is hotter than green.

Is chili verde spicy to eat? ›

Even though chile verde is a stew commonly made with jalapeno chiles, Hatch chiles, and poblano chiles, chile verde is MILD because the low-and-slow cooking process mellows out the spiciness of the peppers significantly while tenderizing the meat and removing the bitterness of the tomatillos.

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