This Pozole Rojo is a comforting, flavorful dish that is perfect for family gatherings! You can’t go wrong with this classic Mexican Independence Day recipe. Pozole Rojo is the perfect Mexican comfort food that brings together tender pork, hominy, and the complex flavors of guajillo and ancho chiles. The beautiful red broth is aromatic, savory, and subtly spicy – making every spoonful an experience.
To enjoy this traditional dish, top it with freshly chopped cilantro, crispy radishes, and shredded cabbage, adding crunch and brightness to each bite. This Pozole Rojo is a dish made to be shared, ideal for a cozy dinner or a festive family gathering. It’s the kind of meal that gets better the longer it sits, and it’s always a hit with guests!
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into chunks
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1 onion, chopped
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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3 dried guajillo chiles, seeds removed
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2 dried ancho chiles, seeds removed
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1 dried pasilla chile, seeds removed
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1 tablespoon cumin
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1 tablespoon oregano
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1 bay leaf
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1/4 cup hominy (dried or canned)
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8 cups chicken broth
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Salt and pepper to taste
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2 tablespoons lime juice
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1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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1/4 cup radishes, sliced thin
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1/4 cup cabbage, shredded
Directions:
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In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the pork shoulder and brown on all sides. Remove the pork and set it aside.
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In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
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In a separate small saucepan, toast the dried chiles over medium heat until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add a small amount of hot water to the pan to rehydrate the chiles, and then blend them into a smooth paste using a blender.
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Add the chile paste to the pot with the onion and garlic mixture. Stir in the cumin, oregano, and bay leaf.
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Return the pork to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Add the hominy and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2-3 hours, or until the pork is tender and the flavors have melded together.
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Season with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
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To serve, ladle the pozole into bowls and top with fresh cilantro, sliced radishes, and shredded cabbage.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Kcal: 400 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Mely Martínez’s Pozole Rojo: A Flavorful Mexican Tradition for Celebrations
Pozole Rojo, a quintessential Mexican dish, is a deeply comforting and flavorful soup that brings people together, especially during celebratory times. Its rich, savory taste and colorful presentation make it a perfect dish for family gatherings, festivals, and of course, Mexican Independence Day on September 16. This version, adapted from Mely Martínez’s 2020 cookbook, “The Mexican Home Kitchen: Traditional Home-Style Recipes that Capture the Flavors and Memories of Mexico,” highlights the distinct flavors of the region while keeping a homestyle authenticity that is perfect for any occasion.
What Makes Pozole Rojo So Special?
Pozole is a dish with deep cultural roots in Mexican cuisine. The word “pozole” comes from the Nahuatl language and refers to hominy – a type of corn that has been treated with an alkali solution, giving it a distinctive chewy texture. Traditionally, pozole is made with pork, but chicken or other meats can also be used. The red color of Pozole Rojo comes from a variety of dried chiles, including guajillo and ancho, which give the soup its beautiful hue and rich, smoky flavor.
The beauty of Pozole lies not only in its taste but also in its versatility. While the basic components remain the same – pork, hominy, and the red sauce the garnishes are what allow each person to customize the dish to their taste. Some of the common garnishes include shredded lettuce, radishes, chopped onions, lime wedges, and avocado, all of which add texture and freshness that perfectly complement the rich and savory broth.
Celebrating Mexican Independence Day with Pozole
Mexican Independence Day, celebrated on September 16, is a time when families and communities come together to honor their history and culture. Food plays a central role in these celebrations, and Pozole Rojo is often featured as the star of the meal. It’s a dish that’s meant to be shared, and there’s something special about passing around bowls of hot, steaming pozole while everyone adds their own garnishes to create their perfect bowl.
Mely Martínez’s Pozole Rojo recipe captures the essence of this tradition, showcasing both the heritage and the flavors of Mexican home cooking. While it takes some time to prepare, the result is well worth the effort. The broth is deeply flavorful and tender, while the hominy provides a satisfying texture. With every bite, the combination of smoky chiles, tender pork, and vibrant toppings brings a taste of Mexico to your table.
Ingredients and Flavors: A Taste of Mexico in Every Bite
The key to a delicious Pozole Rojo is in the ingredients. Pork shoulder and spare ribs are simmered in water with garlic and onions to create a rich, flavorful broth. The red sauce is made by soaking guajillo and ancho chiles, which are then blended with garlic, onion, and Mexican oregano to create a smooth paste. This paste is then simmered and added to the broth, infusing it with deep, smoky flavors.
The hominy is an essential ingredient, providing both substance and texture to the dish. It’s important to rinse canned hominy thoroughly to remove any excess salt before adding it to the soup. The garnishes are equally important, as they add freshness and a burst of color. The shredded lettuce or cabbage, radishes, avocado, and lime not only balance the richness of the broth but also create a pleasing contrast in flavors and textures.
The Art of Garnishing Your Pozole
One of the best parts of eating Pozole Rojo is customizing your bowl with the perfect garnishes. The most common choices are shredded iceberg lettuce or cabbage, finely chopped onions, and sliced radishes. These ingredients add crunch and freshness, balancing the warmth and depth of the soup. For an added kick, some people like to sprinkle crushed piquin chiles over their pozole, giving it a spicy finish that pairs well with the tang of the lime.
Sliced avocado adds creaminess, which helps to mellow out the heat from the chiles. The lime wedges are essential for adding brightness and acidity, which cuts through the richness of the pork and broth. Corn tostadas, a crunchy accompaniment, are the perfect side to dip into the pozole or to nibble on between bites.
Why Pozole is the Perfect Dish for Any Celebration
Pozole Rojo is more than just a meal – it’s an experience. The process of making pozole, from preparing the broth to simmering the pork and blending the red sauce, fills the house with the aromas of Mexico. It’s a dish that takes time and effort, but it’s also one that brings people together in the kitchen and around the table. As Martínez herself points out, Pozole Rojo tastes even better the next day, making it a fantastic dish for leftovers.
Pozole is also a very flexible recipe. While the traditional version includes pork and hominy, there are many variations of pozole throughout Mexico, such as Pozole Verde (with green sauce) and Pozole Blanco (without a sauce). Whether you prefer your pozole with pork or chicken, mild or spicy, this dish can be tailored to suit your tastes and the preferences of your guests.
Conclusion:
Mely Martínez’s Pozole Rojo is a celebration of Mexican culture, flavor, and tradition. With its rich, flavorful broth, tender pork, and vibrant garnishes, it brings people together to share in the joys of food and family. Whether you’re celebrating Mexican Independence Day or just looking for a comforting, hearty meal to share with loved ones, Pozole Rojo is the perfect choice.
The dish’s versatility allows you to customize it to your taste, and the use of traditional ingredients and techniques ensures that every bite is packed with authenticity. So next time you’re planning a gathering or simply craving a dish that captures the heart of Mexican cuisine, consider making Pozole Rojo. Not only will it fill your kitchen with delicious smells, but it will also bring a taste of Mexico to your table, creating memories that will last long after the last bowl is emptied.
Pozole Rojo isn’t just a dish; it’s a piece of Mexican heritage. It’s a dish made for sharing, made for celebrating, and made for savoring. No matter where you are, a bowl of Pozole Rojo can transport you to the heart of Mexico, where food, family, and tradition come together in the most beautiful way.