Classic Pozole Rojo
Tender pork and chewy hominy in a rich, chile-red broth — Mexico's most comforting celebration soup, made for the stovetop.
In a nutshell: This authentic mexican classic pozole rojo comes together in just 3 hrs using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret: Blended chile skins stay gritty no matter how long you blend — the strainer is what gives. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
Classic pozole rojo with tender pork, hominy, and a guajillo-ancho chile broth. Topped with shredded cabbage, radish, and lime.
Key Equipment
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- Large Dutch oven or stockpot
- Blender
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Tongs
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Do not skip straining the chile sauce: Blended chile skins stay gritty no matter how long you blend — the strainer is what gives pozole its silky broth.
- Simmer, never boil hard: A gentle simmer keeps the pork tender; a rolling boil tightens the meat and clouds the broth.
- Toast, do not burn, the chiles: Thirty seconds too long in a dry pan turns guajillos bitter — pull them the moment they smell toasty and pliable.
Ingredients
6
servings
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2 lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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1 yellow onion, quartered, plus diced onion for serving
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6 cloves garlic, divided
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2 tsp kosher salt, divided
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4 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
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2 dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
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1 tsp dried oregano, preferably Mexican
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1 tsp ground cumin
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2 cans white hominy, 25 oz each, drained and rinsed
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2 cups shredded cabbage, for serving
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4 radishes, thinly sliced, for serving
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2 limes, cut into wedges, for serving
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1 tsp dried oregano, for serving
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Brown the Pork
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the pork chunks in batches, about 4 minutes per side, then return all the pork to the pot with the quartered onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon salt, and 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, skim the foam, then cover and simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes until the pork is nearly tender.
Soak and Blend the Chiles
Meanwhile, toast the guajillo and ancho chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, pressing them flat. Cover with boiling water and soak 20 minutes. Blend the softened chiles with the remaining garlic, oregano, cumin, and 1 cup of the soaking liquid until completely smooth.
Strain the Chile Sauce
Pour the blended chile sauce through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing with a spoon to extract every drop. Discard the skins left behind — this step is what makes the broth silky instead of gritty.
Simmer with Hominy
Stir the chile sauce and hominy into the pork pot. Season with the remaining salt and simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, until the pork shreds easily and the broth is a deep, brick red.
Shred and Serve
Shred the pork into bite-size pieces with two forks and stir it back into the soup. Ladle into bowls and let everyone top their own with shredded cabbage, radishes, diced onion, oregano, and a squeeze of lime.
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
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Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack
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View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup of pork and hominy (nixtamalized corn) in a broth coloured red by blended dried chiles. It is a celebration dish, served with fresh toppings so each bowl is finished to taste.
Yes — it is better the next day. Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat gently and add the fresh toppings just before serving.
Use all of one kind, or substitute New Mexico chiles for guajillos and pasillas for anchos. In a pinch, 3 tablespoons of a mild chile powder plus 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika will get you close.
Yes — canned white hominy is standard for home pozole. Drain and rinse it well so the broth stays clear and the soup is not overly starchy.