A Traditional Mexican Comfort Food with Tender Pork, Hominy & Red Chile Flavor
Crock-Pot Posole is a classic Mexican soup made with tender slow-cooked pork, hearty hominy, and a rich chile-infused broth. This comforting dish is full of warm spices, deep flavor, and traditional toppings like cabbage, radishes, lime, and cilantro. Using a slow cooker makes this beloved recipe easy while keeping all the authentic flavors.
๐ฒ Full Recipe
Ingredients
For the Posole:
- 3 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), cut into 2-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (25 oz each) white hominy, drained and rinsed
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Red Chile Sauce:
- 8โ10 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
- 2โ3 dried ancho chiles
- 3 garlic cloves
- ยฝ onion
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups warm water or broth
Traditional Toppings:
- Shredded cabbage
- Sliced radishes
- Diced onion
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Avocado slices
- Mexican oregano
- Crushed tostadas
- Sliced jalapeรฑos
Instructions
1. Prepare the Red Chile Sauce
- Remove stems and seeds from dried chiles.
- Toast chiles lightly in a dry skillet for 20โ30 seconds.
- Soak in hot water for 20 minutes until softened.
- Blend chiles with:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Salt
- Broth
- Strain sauce for a smoother broth.
2. Brown the Pork (Optional but Recommended)
- Heat oil in a skillet.
- Season pork with salt and pepper.
- Brown pieces on all sides.
This adds extra depth and richness.
3. Add Everything to the Crock-Pot
Place into slow cooker:
- Pork
- Onion
- Garlic
- Hominy
- Red chile sauce
- Chicken broth
- Bay leaves
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
Stir well.
4. Slow Cook
LOW:
8โ10 hours
HIGH:
5โ6 hours
Cook until:
- Pork is tender and falling apart
- Broth is rich and flavorful
Remove bay leaves before serving.
5. Serve
Ladle hot posole into bowls and add toppings:
๐ฅฌ Cabbage
๐ฟ Cilantro
๐ง
Onion
๐ Lime juice
๐ถ๏ธ Radishes
๐ฝ Tostadas
Serve immediately!
โ Extra Recipe Tips & Variations
๐ถ๏ธ Green Chile Posole
Replace red chile sauce with:
- Roasted Hatch green chile
- Tomatillos
- Cilantro
- Jalapeรฑos
๐ Chicken Posole
Use:
- Chicken thighs
- Chicken breast
Reduce cooking time.
๐ฅ Spicy Posole
Add:
- Chile de รกrbol
- Serrano peppers
- Hot sauce
๐ฅฉ Beef Posole
Replace pork with:
- Beef chuck roast
- Short ribs
๐ซ Extra Hearty Version
Add:
- Pinto beans
- Extra hominy
- Potatoes
๐ฅ Flavor Upgrades / Secret Tips
โญ Toast dried chiles first
This releases their smoky, earthy flavor.
โญ Strain the chile sauce
It creates a smooth restaurant-style broth.
โญ Use pork shoulder
The fat slowly melts and makes the broth rich.
โญ Add toppings generously
The fresh toppings balance the rich soup.
โญ Make it the next day
Posole tastes even better after the flavors develop overnight.
โญ Add lime at the end
Fresh lime brightens the entire dish.
๐ฝ๏ธ Serving Ideas
Serve with:
๐ฝ Warm corn tortillas
๐ฅ Guacamole
๐ซ Tostadas
๐ง Queso fresco
๐ฅ Mexican salad
๐ถ๏ธ Salsa verde
๐น Agua fresca
Perfect for:
- Family gatherings
- Holidays
- Sunday dinners
- Cold weather meals
- Celebrations
๐ฅก Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer:
Freeze without toppings for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
Warm slowly on the stove or microwave until hot.
Meal Prep:
Make a large batch โ posole reheats beautifully and often tastes better the next day.
๐ฑ Social Media Captions
Version 1:
๐ฝ๐ถ๏ธ Nothing warms the soul like a big bowl of homemade Crock-Pot Posole!
Slow-cooked pork, tender hominy, rich red chile broth, and fresh toppings come together for a traditional Mexican comfort meal.
A recipe made for family, memories, and second bowls โค๏ธ
๐ Full recipe in the comments!
Version 2:
Some recipes are more than foodโฆ they are tradition. โค๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
This Crock-Pot Posole brings together slow-cooked pork, homemade chile flavor, and all the toppings that make every bowl special.
The perfect meal for gathering around the table!
๐ Recipe below!
Version 3:
๐ฅ Slow cooker magic!
Tender pork โ
Flavorful chile broth โ
Hearty hominy โ
Fresh toppings โ
This Posole is comfort food at its best! ๐ฝโค๏ธ
Save this recipe!
๐ฅ Nutrition Facts (Approximate Per Serving)
Recipe makes 10 servings
- Calories: ~430
- Protein: ~38g
- Carbohydrates: ~36g
- Fat: ~18g
- Fiber: ~7g
- Sugar: ~5g
Nutrition varies depending on pork cut and toppings.
โ Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
What is posole?
Posole (pozole) is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy, meat, and chile-based broth.
What meat is best for Crock-Pot Posole?
Pork shoulder is the most traditional because it becomes tender and flavorful.
Can I use canned hominy?
Yes! Canned hominy is convenient and works perfectly.
Is posole spicy?
The spice level depends on the type and amount of chiles used.
Can I make posole ahead?
Yes! It often tastes even better the next day.
What toppings are traditional?
Cabbage, radishes, onion, cilantro, lime, and oregano are classic toppings.
๐ฝ๐ถ๏ธ Final Food Description for Posting
Crock-Pot Posole is a comforting Mexican classic filled with tender slow-cooked pork, hearty hominy, and a rich red chile broth full of deep, smoky flavor. Finished with fresh cabbage, cilantro, radishes, onion, and a squeeze of lime, every bowl is a perfect balance of warmth, tradition, and homemade goodness. This is the kind of recipe that brings family together around the table. โค๏ธ๐ถ๏ธ
