How to Make Pressure Cooker Pork Chile Verde

How to Make Pressure Cooker Pork Chile Verde is a medium Mexican recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Serious Eats on YouTube.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 40 min | Total: 1 hr 5 min

Cost: $14.00 total, $3.50 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds Pork Shoulder, Boneless (cut into 2‑inch cubes)
  • 0.75 pounds Tomatillos (husks removed, diced)
  • 0.66 pounds Poblano Peppers (roasted, peeled, diced)
  • 6 ounces Anaheim Chilies (diced)
  • 2 pieces Jalapeño Peppers (seeded if desired, diced)
  • 1 small White Onion (diced)
  • 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon Whole Cumin Seeds (toasted and ground using mortar & pestle)
  • to taste Salt (generously season)
  • 0.5 cup Fresh Cilantro (handful, minced)
  • 1 teaspoon Asian Fish Sauce (adds umami)
  • 8 pieces Corn Tortillas (warmed for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cube the Pork

    Trim any excess fat and cut the pork shoulder into 2‑inch cubes.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Dice the Vegetables

    Dice tomatillos, roasted poblanos, Anaheim chilies, jalapeños, onion, and mince the garlic.

    Time: PT10M

  3. Toast and Grind Cumin

    Toast the cumin seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant, then grind them in a mortar & pestle until fine.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: medium heat

  4. Assemble in Pressure Cooker

    Place all diced vegetables in the pressure cooker, then layer the pork cubes on top. Add the ground cumin and season generously with salt. Stir to combine.

    Time: PT3M

  5. Sauté Briefly

    Place the pressure cooker on the stove over medium‑high heat and cook, stirring, until you hear a light sizzle.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: medium‑high heat

  6. Pressure Cook

    Seal the lid, bring to high pressure and cook for 30 minutes.

    Time: PT30M

  7. Quick Release

    After the timer ends, carefully perform a quick pressure release and open the lid.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Remove Pork

    Using tongs, lift the pork cubes out of the pot and set them in a bowl.

    Time: PT2M

  9. Puree the Sauce

    Blend the vegetable mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or by transferring to a countertop blender in batches.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Finish the Stew

    Stir the pork back into the pot, then add the minced cilantro and fish sauce. Mix well and let sit for a minute to combine flavors.

    Time: PT2M

  11. Serve

    Serve the chile verde hot with warm corn tortillas and enjoy with a cold beer.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
25g
Carbohydrates
20g
Fat
15g
Fiber
4g

Dietary info: Gluten‑Free (if using corn tortillas), Dairy‑Free, Nut‑Free

Allergens: Fish (fish sauce)

Last updated: April 17, 2026

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How to Make Pressure Cooker Pork Chile Verde

Recipe by Serious Eats

A fast, flavorful Mexican pork stew made in a pressure cooker. Tender pork shoulder cubes simmer with tomatillos, poblanos, Anaheim and jalapeño chilies, finished with fresh cilantro and a splash of Asian fish sauce for deep umami. Ready in about 40 minutes of cooking, perfect for serving with warm corn tortillas.

MediumMexicanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
23m
Prep
45m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 18m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$14.00
Total cost
$3.50
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Step 6: Pressure Cook
  • Step 9: Puree the Sauce
  • Step 10: Finish the Stew

Safety Warnings

  • Use caution when performing a quick pressure release – hot steam can cause burns.
  • Handle the hot blender container with oven mitts to avoid splatter burns.
  • Make sure the pressure cooker lid is properly sealed before cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Chile Verde in Mexican cuisine?

A

Chile verde, meaning “green chile,” is a traditional Mexican stew that showcases the region’s abundant fresh chilies and tomatillos. Historically it was a peasant dish, using inexpensive pork shoulder and whatever green chilies were on hand, making it a staple of home cooking across central Mexico.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Chile Verde in Mexico?

A

In central Mexico the stew is made with pork and tomatillos, while in the north it may feature beef or chicken and use serrano chilies. Some coastal versions add tomatillo salsa with a touch of citrus, and in Oaxaca you’ll find a version spiced with hoja santa and epazote.

cultural
Q

How is authentic Chile Verde traditionally served in Mexico?

A

It is typically ladled over warm corn tortillas or rice, accompanied by fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and sometimes crumbled queso fresco. In many households it is eaten for lunch or dinner with a side of beans.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Chile Verde traditionally associated with in Mexican culture?

A

Chile verde is a common everyday family meal, but it also appears at festive gatherings such as birthdays, holidays, and weekend barbecues where a hearty, comforting stew is welcomed.

cultural
Q

How does Chile Verde fit into the broader Mexican cuisine tradition?

A

It exemplifies Mexican cuisine’s love of fresh, bright flavors—tart tomatillos, smoky chilies, and aromatic herbs—balanced with the richness of pork. The dish highlights the Mexican principle of layering flavors through roasting, toasting, and slow cooking.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Chile Verde versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional ingredients include pork shoulder, tomatillos, poblano or Anaheim chilies, garlic, onion, cumin, and cilantro. Acceptable substitutes are pork butt for shoulder, green tomatoes for tomatillos, and ground cumin if a mortar & pestle isn’t available.

cultural
Q

What other Mexican dishes pair well with Chile Verde?

A

Chile verde pairs beautifully with Mexican rice, refried beans, grilled corn (elote), and a simple avocado salad. For a full meal, serve alongside carne asada or a side of chorizo‑styled tacos.

cultural
Q

What makes Chile Verde special or unique in Mexican cuisine?

A

Its vibrant green color, bright acidity from tomatillos, and the depth from toasted cumin and fish sauce set it apart. The combination of pork tenderness from pressure cooking and fresh cilantro at the end creates a balance of richness and freshness that is uniquely Mexican.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Chile Verde at home?

A

Common errors include over‑cooking the pork (making it dry), not seasoning enough salt, and adding too much liquid which dilutes the flavor. Also, skipping the toasting of cumin reduces the dish’s aromatic depth.

technical
Q

Can I make Chile Verde ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, you can cook the pork and puree the sauce up to two days ahead. Store the pork and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator, then combine and reheat gently before serving. It also freezes well for up to two months.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Serious Eats specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Serious Eats focuses on science‑based cooking techniques, detailed recipe development, and thorough explanations of why recipes work, often featuring kitchen equipment tests and ingredient deep‑dives.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Serious Eats' approach to Mexican cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

Serious Eats emphasizes precise technique—like using a pressure cooker for speed without sacrificing flavor—and explains the chemistry behind each step, whereas many other channels may rely on more traditional stovetop methods without the same level of scientific insight.

channel

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