This savory Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde recipe is your ticket to an easy yet delicious dinner. Succulent pork shoulder, combined with the heat from green chiles, softened with the sweetness of carrots and tomatoes, this dish offers an explosion of flavors. It's a simple set-and-forget recipe that fills your home with an irresistible aroma and leaves you with a hearty meal that's sure to impress.
Most ingredients for this recipe are pantry staples. However, the canned diced green chiles might be something to specifically look out for in the international aisle of the supermarket. Also, the green enchilada sauce is a key ingredient that packs a punch and imparts a unique flavor, so make sure you have it on hand.
Pork Chile Verde Recipe Ingredients
Pork shoulder: The star of this recipe, pork shoulder adds a rich, meaty flavor. It slow cooks to tender perfection.
Vegetable oil: Used for searing the pork, it helps in locking the juices.
Diced tomatoes: They add a sweet-tangy flavor and make the base of the verde sauce.
Green chiles: These bring heat to the dish, they are a must for the 'verde' (green) in the recipe.
Green enchilada sauce: This forms the base of the sauce, giving it its distinctive tang and spice.
Carrots: They provide a sweet counterpoint to the spicy, savory components.
Onion: Essential for any savory dish, they provide a base flavor.
Garlic: Adds a punch and depth of flavor.
Ground Cumin: Gives a warm, earthy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Dried Oregano: This herb lifts up the flavors and adds an aromatic note to the dish.
One reader, Julita Lawler says:
This slow cooker pork chile verde recipe is a game-changer! The pork is so tender and flavorful, and the combination of green chiles and enchilada sauce creates a deliciously rich and zesty sauce. It's the perfect dish for a cozy night in, and the leftovers are just as amazing. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde
How to sear the pork: Searing the pork shoulder in a hot dutch oven helps to lock in the juices and adds a rich, caramelized flavor to the meat.
How to combine the ingredients: Stirring the diced tomatoes, green chiles, enchilada sauce, carrots, onion, garlic, cumin, and oregano together ensures that the flavors meld and distribute evenly throughout the dish.
How to cook on low heat: Cooking the pork chile verde on low heat for 5 to 6 hours allows the flavors to develop and the pork to become tender and succulent.
How To Make Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde
Chile verde is a Mexican-inspired stew with a sauce of green chilis & tomatoes. This version uses pork shoulder slow-cooked with veggies until tender.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2tbspvegetable oil
- 3lbspork shoulder,cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1tspkosher salt
- ¼tspcoarse ground black pepper
- 14ozdiced tomatoes,undrained
- 4ozcanned diced green chiles
- 10ozgreen enchilada sauce,(1 can)
- 4carrots,cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1onion,diced
- 3clovesgarlic,minced
- 1tbspground cumin
- 1tspdried oregano
Instructions
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Season pork with salt and pepper and add to a large dutch oven on medium high heat with vegetable oil.
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Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until seared and well browned.
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Add in the remaining ingredients, stir well to combine and cover.
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Cook, on Low heat for 5 to 6 hours or until pork is fork-tender.
Nutrition
- Calories: 641.62kcal
- Fat: 46.04g
- Saturated Fat: 14.53g
- Trans Fat: 0.04g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 21.71g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.34g
- Carbohydrates: 14.06g
- Fiber: 4.11g
- Sugar: 7.69g
- Protein: 41.32g
- Cholesterol: 161.03mg
- Sodium: 995.36mg
- Calcium: 96.13mg
- Potassium: 1020.50mg
- Iron: 4.22mg
- Vitamin A: 359.27µg
- Vitamin C: 21.82mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde
When searing the pork shoulder, make sure your dutch oven is hot before adding the meat. This will ensure a nice, deep brown crust forms, which adds a lot of flavor to the dish. Also, resist the urge to move the meat around while it's searing. Let it sit undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes on each side to achieve the best results.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables and measure out ingredients the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
Use a slow cooker: Let the slow cooker do the work for you while you attend to other tasks.
Invest in pre-cut vegetables: Save time by purchasing pre-cut vegetables from the store to skip the prep work.
Multi-task: While the pork is cooking, use the time to prepare side dishes or clean up the kitchen.
Utilize leftovers: Repurpose any leftover pork chile verde into tacos, burritos, or quesadillas for a quick and easy meal the next day.
Substitute Ingredients For Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde Recipe
vegetable oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can add a rich flavor to the dish and is a healthier alternative to vegetable oil.
pork shoulder - Substitute with beef chuck roast: Beef chuck roast can provide a similar texture and flavor when slow-cooked, and it's a great alternative for those who prefer beef over pork.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a similar level of salinity and can enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
coarse ground black pepper - Substitute with crushed red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes can add a subtle heat and a different dimension of flavor to the dish.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with tomato sauce: Tomato sauce can provide a smoother consistency and a more concentrated tomato flavor to the dish.
canned diced green chiles - Substitute with fresh poblano peppers: Fresh poblano peppers can provide a similar mild heat and a fresh flavor to the dish.
green enchilada sauce - Substitute with salsa verde: Salsa verde can provide a tangy and flavorful base for the dish, similar to green enchilada sauce.
carrots - Substitute with parsnips: Parsnips can provide a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor, adding depth to the dish.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can provide a milder and sweeter flavor compared to onions, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic, providing a similar flavor without the need for mincing or chopping.
ground cumin - Substitute with coriander: Coriander can provide a citrusy and slightly sweet flavor, complementing the other ingredients in the dish.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried marjoram: Dried marjoram can provide a similar earthy and slightly sweet flavor, enhancing the overall aroma of the dish.
Best Presentation for Pork Chile Verde
Elevate the plating: Arrange the slow-cooked pork chile verde in a shallow bowl, ensuring the vibrant colors of the dish are showcased beautifully.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle a generous amount of freshly chopped cilantro over the pork chile verde to add a pop of color and a burst of fresh flavor.
Incorporate texture: Add a dollop of sour cream on top of the dish to provide a creamy contrast to the tender pork and the rich, flavorful sauce.
Serve with a side of warm tortillas: Present the slow cooker pork chile verde with a side of warm, freshly made corn tortillas to soak up the delicious sauce and enhance the overall dining experience.
Use elegant serving ware: Choose sophisticated, artisanal ceramic bowls to serve the pork chile verde, adding a touch of refinement to the presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Slow Cooker Chile Verde
- Dutch oven: A heavy-duty pot with a tight-fitting lid, perfect for slow cooking and braising dishes.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral-flavored oil used for cooking and frying.
- Large dutch oven: A versatile and essential cooking pot for searing and slow cooking dishes.
- Fork: Used for testing the tenderness of the pork during the cooking process.
- Cutting board: A surface for chopping and preparing the carrots, onion, and garlic.
- Chef's knife: Essential for cutting and chopping the vegetables and pork shoulder.
- Measuring spoons: Used for accurately measuring the salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano.
- Can opener: Necessary for opening the canned diced tomatoes and green chiles.
- Stirring spoon: Used for combining the ingredients in the dutch oven.
- Slow cooker: A convenient appliance for slow-cooking the pork chile verde to tender perfection.
Storing and Freezing Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde
- Allow the pork chile verde to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- Transfer the cooled pork chile verde to an airtight container or a freezer-safe zip-top bag.
- If using a container, make sure to leave about an inch of headspace at the top to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy identification.
- For storing in the refrigerator: Place the airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days.
- For freezing: Place the airtight container or freezer-safe zip-top bag in the freezer and store for up to 3 months.
- To reheat, transfer the frozen pork chile verde to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight.
- Once thawed, reheat the pork chile verde in a saucepan or microwave until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- If the pork chile verde appears dry after reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to help restore moisture.
- Serve the reheated pork chile verde over rice, in tacos, or with your favorite sides.
How To Reheat Leftover Pork Chile Verde
Reheat the pork chile verde in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and ensure that the pork and vegetables are evenly heated without drying out or becoming overcooked.
If you're short on time, you can reheat the pork chile verde in the microwave. Place the desired portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent splatters, and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check the temperature and continue heating in 30-second intervals until it's heated through.
For a crispy twist, shred the leftover pork and spread it on a baking sheet. Place the sheet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the edges of the pork start to crisp up. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Serve the crispy pork with the reheated chile verde sauce and vegetables.
Transform your leftover pork chile verde into a new dish by using it as a filling for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas. Simply reheat the pork and vegetables, then wrap them in tortillas with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
Create a hearty pork chile verde soup by reheating the leftovers with additional chicken broth or vegetable broth. Adjust the seasoning as needed and serve the soup with crusty bread or tortilla chips for a satisfying meal.
Interesting Fact About Pork Chile Verde
Pork chile verde is a traditional Mexican dish that originated in the state of Puebla. It is a slow-cooked stew made with pork, green chilies, and tomatillos, giving it a distinctive tangy and spicy flavor. This dish is often served with warm tortillas or rice and is a popular choice for gatherings and celebrations in Mexican culture.
Is Making Pork Chile Verde at Home Cost-Effective?
This slow cooker pork chile verde recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. The use of affordable ingredients such as pork shoulder, canned diced tomatoes, and green enchilada sauce makes it budget-friendly. The dish yields a large portion, making it suitable for a family of four. The estimated cost for the entire meal is approximately $20, making it an economical choice. The rich flavors and tender pork make it a satisfying and hearty meal, earning a solid 9 out of 10 rating for taste and affordability.
Is Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde Healthy or Unhealthy?
This slow cooker pork chile verde recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. On the positive side, it includes nutritious ingredients like tomatoes, green chiles, carrots, onion, and garlic. These vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Pork shoulder is also a good source of protein, which is crucial for building and repairing tissues in the body. However, the recipe also has some drawbacks. Pork shoulder is a fatty cut of meat, which can contribute to high calorie and saturated fat intake. Additionally, the use of vegetable oil for searing and the inclusion of enchilada sauce may add extra calories and sodium to the dish.
To make this recipe healthier, consider trimming the excess fat from the pork shoulder before cooking. This will help reduce the overall fat content of the dish. Instead of using vegetable oil for searing, opt for a healthier alternative like olive oil or avocado oil. You can also reduce the amount of enchilada sauce used or choose a low-sodium variety. To boost the nutritional value further, consider adding more vegetables to the recipe, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or sweet potatoes. These additions will increase the fiber content and provide a wider range of vitamins and minerals. Finally, serve the pork chile verde with wholesome sides like brown rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad to create a well-rounded and nutritious meal.
Editor's Opinion on This Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde Recipe
This slow cooker pork chile verde recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The slow cooking process allows the pork to become tender and succulent, while the blend of green chiles, enchilada sauce, and aromatic spices creates a rich and vibrant sauce. The addition of carrots adds a touch of sweetness and complements the savory elements of the dish. Overall, this recipe promises a satisfying and comforting meal that is perfect for any occasion.
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Why trust this Slow Cooker Pork Chile Verde Recipe:
This recipe for slow cooker pork chile verde is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The succulent pork shoulder is seared to perfection, ensuring a rich, flavorful base. Combined with the zesty diced tomatoes, mild green chiles, and tangy green enchilada sauce, this dish promises a symphony of flavors. The addition of aromatic ground cumin and fragrant dried oregano elevates the taste profile. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld, resulting in tender, juicy pork that effortlessly falls apart. Trust this recipe for an authentic, mouthwatering Chile Verde experience.
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