There’s nothing quite like coming home to the rich, savory aroma of pozole simmering away in your kitchen. This Easy Red Pozole with Ground Pork is everything you want in a comforting Mexican stew—bold flavors, tender meat, a vibrant red chile base, and hearty hominy. And the best part? It’s a true dump and go crockpot dinner. Minimal prep, maximum flavor. We’re putting a weeknight-friendly spin on a classic Mexican pozole recipe pork lovers will swoon over.
Easy Red Pozole with Ground Pork
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 6 hours hrs
Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Crockpot or slow cooker Essential for this crockpot pozole method. Set it and forget it!
Blender To puree the chiles and tomatoes into a smooth, flavorful red sauce.
Skillet (optional) For browning the ground pork and sautéing aromatics before adding to the crockpot—recommended for more depth, but you can skip for a full dump-and-go approach.
Strainer (optional) For straining the chile sauce if you want it extra silky smooth.
For the pozole base
- 1½ pounds ground pork preferably not too lean for best flavor
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- 1 can 15 oz fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 3 dried guajillo chiles stems and seeds removed
- 2 dried ancho chiles stems and seeds removed
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can 25 oz white hominy, drained and rinsed
Optional toppings
- Shredded cabbage or lettuce
- Sliced radishes
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Lime wedges
- Crushed tortilla chips
Toast and soak the chiles
In a dry skillet, toast the guajillo and ancho chiles for about 1-2 minutes per side until fragrant. Place them in a bowl, cover with hot water, and let them soak for 10 minutes.
Brown the pork (optional but flavorful)
In a skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil and brown the ground pork. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Transfer everything to the crockpot.
Make the red chile sauce
In a blender, combine soaked chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, cumin, oregano, paprika, and about 1 cup of the chicken broth. Blend until smooth.
Assemble in the crockpot
To the pork mixture, add the chile sauce, remaining chicken broth, and hominy. Stir well. Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours.
Taste and adjust
After cooking, season with more salt or lime juice if needed. The soup should be rich, spicy, and slightly smoky.
Serve with toppings
Ladle into bowls and top with your choice of garnishes. A squeeze of lime and crunch from shredded cabbage take it over the top.
Pairings
This red posole recipe begs for sides like warm corn tortillas or Mexican rice. A cool Mexican crema or simple avocado salad helps balance the warmth of the stew. If you’re sipping something alongside it, go for a crisp lager or a tangy tamarind agua fresca. For dessert? A few churros or cinnamon-spiced arroz con leche would round out the meal beautifully.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different meat?
Absolutely! While this red pozole recipe pork version uses ground pork for convenience, you can substitute it with shredded chicken (see chicken pozole recipe red), boneless pork shoulder, or even beef for a beef pozole recipe. For a lighter twist, try a posole recipe chicken base or even a chicken pozole verde.
2. What’s the difference between red, green, and white pozole?
Red pozole gets its color from dried red chiles like guajillo and ancho. Pozole verde recipe uses green chiles and tomatillos, and white pozole is usually more neutral, highlighting the broth and hominy. This easy recipe falls under the red posole recipe category.
3. Can this be made vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! For a vegan pozole, skip the meat and use vegetable broth. Add hearty veggies like mushrooms or jackfruit for texture.
4. Can I make this with chicken instead of pork?
Totally! Just substitute ground pork with shredded rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken thighs for a quick pasole soup chicken easy version. Try a posole recipe chicken style, especially if you’re looking for a lighter alternative.
5. Is this an authentic posole recipe?
While it may not follow every traditional method, it keeps the soul of an authentic posole recipe—deep chile flavor, lots of hominy, and classic garnishes—while adapting it for modern, weeknight ease.
