Award-Winning Chile Verde

3h 30m
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. 2Pat the pork cubes dry with paper towels.
  3. 3Season them with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. 4Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  5. 5Sear the pork in batches until browned on all sides.
  6. 6Transfer the pork to a plate and set aside.
  7. 7Place the tomatillos, poblano pepper, jalapeño, and onion halves on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. 8Drizzle with olive oil and season with the remaining 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper.
  9. 9Roast for about 30 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and slightly blistered.
  10. 10Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
  11. 11Remove the stems and seeds from the poblano and jalapeño.
  12. 12Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender.
  13. 13Add the garlic, cilantro, and chicken broth.
  14. 14Blend until smooth, or pulse lightly if you prefer a slightly chunky, rustic sauce.
  15. 15Pour the blended sauce into the same pot used for the pork.
  16. 16Return the seared pork and any collected juices to the pot.
  17. 17Stir well to coat the meat in the sauce.
  18. 18Reduce heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer for about 2½–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pork becomes fork-tender and the sauce thickens.
  19. 19Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream for a smooth, creamy finish.
  20. 20Taste and adjust with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons salt, divided
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper, divided
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 pound tomatillos, husked and rinsed
  • 1 poblano pepper
  • 1 jalapeño pepper
  • 1 white onion, halved
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 small bunch fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons sour cream

Equipment

large heavy potDutch ovenpaper towelsparchment-lined baking sheetblender

Tips

  • Avoid overcrowding the pot when searing pork to develop a deep golden crust.
  • The dish tastes even better the next day.