🇲🇽 Mexico · Food

Puerco en Salsa Verde

90 min
A recipe worth the effort
🔥 450 kcal
Hearty helping
🍽 6 servings
Feeds a crowd

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Puerco en Salsa Verde🇲🇽 MX

Succulent chunks of pork shoulder simmered in a vibrant, tangy tomatillo and serrano sauce. This classic comfort dish is a staple of Mexican home kitchens.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Cut 1.5kg of pork shoulder into 3cm cubes and season generously with salt.

  • 2

    In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 500g of lard over medium heat until liquid.

  • 3

    Carefully add the pork pieces to the hot lard, ensuring they are fully submerged.

  • 4

    Add 3 bay leaves, 5 crushed garlic cloves, and the juice of 1 orange to the pot.

  • 5

    Simmer on low heat for 60-75 minutes until the pork is tender and begins to pull apart.

  • 6

    Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and let it rest on a wire rack to drain excess fat.

  • 7

    Ensure the pork develops a slight crust while simmering to achieve the perfect texture.

  • 8

    Serve the hot pork immediately with warm corn tortillas and salsa verde.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cut of pork?+

Pork shoulder or 'butt' is essential because the fat content keeps the meat succulent during the long simmer.

Can I use oil instead of lard?+

While you can use vegetable oil, lard provides a traditional flavor profile and mouthfeel that oil cannot replicate.

How do I know the pork is done?+

The pork is done when a fork slides into the meat with zero resistance and the edges are slightly browned.

Can this be made in a slow cooker?+

Yes, but you will need to sear the pork in a pan first to develop flavor before transferring to the slow cooker.

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