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Pozole Rojo (Mexican Pork and Hominy Stew Recipe

Pozole Rojo (Mexican Pork and Hominy Stew Recipe

Pozole Rojo is a traditional Mexican pork and hominy stew made with tender pork shoulder and loin simmered in a rich red guajillo chile sauce.
Finished with shredded cabbage, diced onion, and fresh lime, this hearty dish serves eight and delivers bold, comforting flavor in under two hours.
Perfect for gatherings, weekend meals, or satisfying leftovers.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 408

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless pork shoulder cubed
  • 1 pound boneless pork loin cubed
  • 1/2 pound pork neck bones
  • Water to cover
  • 1 head garlic cloves peeled
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 large plum tomato
  • 4 ounces dried guajillo chiles stemmed and seeded
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pinch ground cumin
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 16-ounce cans white hominy, drained
Toppings
  • Shredded lettuce or cabbage
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 4 limes cut into wedges

Method
 

  1. Place the pork shoulder, pork loin, and pork neck bones in a large pot. Cover with water. Add the peeled garlic head and salt to taste.
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the meat is tender and fully cooked.
  3. Stir in the drained hominy. Bring back to a boil, then reduce and simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, place the tomato and guajillo chiles in a separate pot. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 minutes, until the chiles are softened. Drain.
  5. Transfer the tomato and chiles to a blender. Add salt, 1 clove garlic, oregano, cumin, and 2 cups of water. Blend until smooth.
  6. Strain the blended chile mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and set the sauce aside.
  7. Remove the cooked pork from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Shred it using two forks. Discard the pork bones and garlic.
  8. Return the shredded pork to the pot. Stir in the strained chile sauce.
  9. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the flavors blend together.
  10. Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cabbage or lettuce, diced onion, and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

Pozole rojo isn’t just soup. It’s a bowl you sit with. It’s bold, warm, and a little dramatic in the best way.
And if it’s not perfect the first time, welcome to the club. It’ll still taste amazing.