Go Back
+ servings

Pork in Chile Verde

Pork braised in Chile Verde sauce with the help of an Instant Pot cuts down the time and makes this an easy weeknight meal. Serve it with your favorite sides (rice, beans, tortillas, etc.) so dang good!
Print Pin
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chile verde, green chile, instant pot, pork, slow cook
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Bonny B

Equipment

  • Instant Pot or pressure cooker (optional to save time)

Ingredients

Pork

  • lbs pork shoulder or pork butt
  • salt & pepper

Chile Verde

  • 2 lbs tomatillos
  • 3 anaheim chilies
  • 3 jalepenos
  • 1 medium onion
  • 6-7 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp cumin
  • tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp pepper
  • handful of cilantro, chopped

How I Make It

Prepare the Pork

  • Cut pork into equal size cubes, around 2-inch chunks. Season with salt and pepper and brown them in a pan (or Instant Pot). Do this in batches to avoid over-crowding. It does not have to cook all the way through, just browned. Set aside. If there is bone, keep the bone and add it back in later.

Make the Chile Verde

  • Remove husks and wash the tomatillos.
  • Roast or grill the tomatillos, Anaheim chilies, Jalapenos, onion until softened and charred. Then blend everything (including all the accumulated juices) in a blender or food processor with the garlic. Add cumin and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cook until tender

  • Combine the browned pork (including any accumulated juices) in the Chile Verde sauce. If you had a bone from the cut, add it here. Cook until tender. You can do this in different ways, but here are a few methods:
    - Instant Pot or pressure cooker for 40 minutes.
    - On the stove. Bring to a boil then cover and simmer for about 2½ - 3 hours. If you are using a heatproof pot, you can also throw it in the oven at 375F for the same amount of time.
    - In a crockpot 4-5 hours on high, 12 hours on low.
  • Once meat is tender, taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the chopped cilantro. Sprinkle a little more on top to serve.

Notes

  • Pork can be substituted for chicken.
  • If using chicken, adjust the cooking time accordingly. For example, chicken drumsticks or bone-in thigh pieces should take about 45 minutes stove top (compared to 2-3 hours for pork). Time will vary depending on the cut and size of the chicken pieces.