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Red Posole With Pork

4.6

(6)

A twohandled pot of red posole with pork.
Photo by Peden + Munk

If you’ve never made posole, this is a good starter recipe. There are no hard-to-get cuts (like the pig’s head called for in many traditional versions), and most of the process is hands-off.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    6 servings

Ingredients

3 pounds pork shoulder (Boston butt)
1 large white onion, halved through root end, plus chopped for serving
2 heads of garlic, halved crosswise
1 bay leaf
3 whole cloves
10 guajillo chiles, ribs and seeds removed
6 dried chiles de árbol, ribs and seeds removed
Kosher salt
3 (15-ounce) cans white hominy, rinsed
Thinly sliced cabbage, thinly sliced radishes, dried oregano, and lime wedges (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place pork shoulder, onion halves, garlic, bay leaf, and cloves in a large pot. Pour in 14 cups water (pork should be submerged). Bring to a simmer and cook, skimming as needed and turning pork occasionally, until meat is cooked through and tender but not yet falling apart, 2½–3 hours. Transfer pork to a plate; let cool slightly. Strain broth into a large bowl, then transfer back to pot. Slice pork into ½" slices and add to broth.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Toast all the chiles on a rimmed baking sheet until brown (do not char) and starting to lightly puff in places, about 5 minutes. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan; add chiles. Remove from heat and let chiles soak until softened, 10–12 minutes. Blend chiles and cooking liquid in a blender until smooth; season with salt.

    Step 3

    Add chile purée to pork and broth. Bring to a simmer, add hominy, and cook, skimming off fat from surface, until pork is so tender it’s nearly falling apart, 45–60 minutes; season with more salt.

    Step 4

    Divide posole among bowls, top with onion, cabbage, radishes, and oregano. Serve with lime wedges.

    Do Ahead: Posole can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

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