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    Home » Recipes » Soups » Posole: a Shortcut Slow Cooker Mexican Stew Recipe

    LAST UPDATED: October 11, 2021 • FIRST PUBLISHED: January 20, 2019 By Toni Dash 42 Comments

    Posole: a Shortcut Slow Cooker Mexican Stew Recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Posole in a white bowl with toppings title

    Posole is a soul-warming Mexican stew featuring hominy and pork in a savory broth. This shortcut slow cooker version will keep you warm all winter!

    Posole in a white bowl with toppings title

    I love picking up recipes in my travels.

    A cold weather favorite is Posole, that I was inspired to make at home after being caught in a Santa Fe, New Mexico snow storm!

    After being stuck in our hotel (the Inn of the Governors) unable to drive back to Colorado, our day was made soul-warming with a bowl of Posole from their Del Charro restaurant.

    Sipped in the coziness of our room by a roaring pinon wood fire, being snowed in didn’t seem so bad!

    Immediately following the trip, I created a slow cooker shortcut recipe that remains a favorite recipe to take the chill out of a winter’s day.

    Try our authentic Green Pozole (Pozole Verde) too!

    Jump to:
    • What is Posole?
    • Ingredients in Posole
    • Posole Recipe Timesaving TIPS
    • Authentic Posole Recipe Variations
    • A Posole Shortcut
    • A Note on Spiciness
    • How to Make Posole in a Slow Cooker
    • Can Posole be Made Ahead of Time?
    • Recipe
    bowl of Red Posole Soup sits on a window-side table at the Inn of the Governors, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
    Red Posole Soup at the Inn of the Governors, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

    What is Posole?

    Posole (also spelled Pozole) is an authentic Mexican soup or stew recipe made from hominy (dried corn soaked in a mineral lime bath).

    The word ‘posole’ actually translates to mean hominy.

    Typically it is made with pork however some recipes call for chicken or both meats.

    Like any recipe with historic roots, there are many versions and many ideas of what defines an authentic Mexican posole recipe.

    Posole is usually served topped with multiple garnishes. Sliced radishes, avocado, shredded cabbage, onion, garlic and lime wedges to squeeze into the tasty soup are all common.

    a white bowl of spicy Posole topped with red corn tortilla chips
    Red Posole Soup at the Inn of the Governors, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

    Ingredients in Posole

    The ingredients in this recipe are simple and easy to prepare:

    • Yellow Onion
    • Pork Shoulder
    • Garlic Cloves
    • can mild Green Chilies
    • White Hominy
    • Yellow Hominy
    • ground Cumin
    • Jalapeno Pepper
    • canned Red Enchilada Sauce (select a gluten-free option if needed)
    • Low Sodium Chicken Broth
    • Optional Garnishes:
      • shredded cabbage
      • radish slices
      • small avocado cubes
      • lime wedges
      • shredded cheese
      • fried tortilla strips
      • pickled Jalapeno slices

    Posole Recipe Timesaving TIPS

    I always try to find shortcuts to make recipe preparation faster! Here are some I use for making this recipe:

    • Chop the onion in a mini chopper. After use just place the chopper container in the dishwasher
    • You’ll love this easy way to seed jalapeno peppers!
    • I recently discovered frozen cubed avocado! It is harvested when ripe, peeled and cubed when frozen in a resealable bag. Remove the amount desired, allow it to thaw at room temperature and you are done! Perfect to use as a topping.
    2 bowls of Posole Soup made in a slow cooker, surrounded by an assortment of garnishes for the hominy soup

    Authentic Posole Recipe Variations

    Family lineages have made posole their way for generations, cementing it as a cornerstone in their culinary traditions.

    In New Mexico, posole is a New Year tradition, treated very much like eating Hoppin’ John is in the south.

    Posole has some classic variations all denoted by color:

    • Red posole soup (the type I’m sharing today) is made using multiple chilies giving it an earthy red color and spicy flavor.
    • Green posole uses green ingredients such as tomatillos, jalapenos or cilantro to still create a spicy broth however with a green color to the soup.
    • White posole doesn’t include any green or red sauce.
    white soup bowl filled with red posole soup made in a slow cooker sitting on a white plate with lime wedges

    A Posole Shortcut

    I always tread lightly when creating a recipe for something so coveted and traditional as posole.

    This recipe is made easier while retaining the classic flavors by adding a shortcut step!

    Instead of preparing the dried peppers and making a paste (similar to making Mole), red enchilada sauce is used.

    I find it has the same deep-rooted flavors of serious chilies that I loved in the posole that I had in Santa Fe.

    It can be difficult to find time to make everything from scratch, or to find specific chilies in some areas. This swap yields a delicious satisfying soup one won’t soon forget.

    A Note on Spiciness

    Though this posole version uses mild enchilada sauce it is still spicy.

    I suggest adding hot sauce when serving if more heat is desired versus using hot enchilada sauce which risks it becoming too spicy for some diners.

    Posole with shredded pork in a white bowl

    How to Make Posole in a Slow Cooker

    We love this slow cooker version in my household.

    It’s easy and the long simmering of the ingredients creates an irresistible Mexican stew!

    Sprinkle the onions in the bottom of a large 6-7 quart slow cooker.
    Place the pork shoulder on top of the onions.
    Follow by layering the ingredients as noted in the ingredient list:

    • garlic
    • green chilies
    • white and yellow hominy
    • cumin
    • jalapeno slices
    • enchilada sauce, and
    • chicken broth

    Cook on HIGH for 7 hours or until the meat is fully cooked.
    Remove the pork onto a plate or cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat, discarding any pieces of fat, and return the pork to the slow cooker.
    Serve with garnishes.

    Can Posole be Made Ahead of Time?

    Yes it can be made ahead of time! The posole may be removed from the slow cooker, placed into a sealed container (allow to cool first) and refrigerated to allow flavors to deepen further before serving.

    Simply reheat on the stovetop or microwave before serving.

    Red Posole in white bowls with garnishes

    More Easy Comfort Food Stew Recipes You’ll Love:

    • New Mexico Green Chile Stew
    • Cuban Instant Pot Beef Stew (Carne Con Papas)
    • Shortcut French Cassoulet: a Peasant Stew You’ll Love!
    • Sweet & Spicy Slow Cooker Beef Stew
    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!
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    Recipe

    Red Posole recipe title

    Slow Cooker Shortcut Red Posole

    Spicy posole soup has never been easier than making it in the slow cooker! The flavors simmer together over time for a delicious soup.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 7 hours
    Total Time: 7 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 104kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 medium Yellow Onion , peeled and chopped
    • 1 2-pound Pork Shoulder , trimmed of excess fat and string removed if tied
    • 4 Garlic Cloves , peeled and diced
    • 1 4-ounce can mild Green Chilies
    • 1 25-ounce can White Hominy
    • 1 15-ounce can Yellow Hominy
    • ½ teaspoon ground Cumin
    • 1 Jalapeno Pepper , seeded and sliced into thin rings
    • 2 15-ounce cans Red Enchilada Sauce (select a gluten-free option if needed)
    • 4 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
    • Optional Garnishes: shredded cabbage , radish slices, small avocado cubes, lime wedges, shredded cheese, tortilla strips

    Instructions

    • In a large 6-7 quart slow cooker sprinkle the onions on the bottom and place the pork shoulder on top of them. 
    • Then layer the ingredients as noted in the ingredient list: garlic, green chilies, white and yellow hominy, cumin, jalapeno slices, enchilada sauce and chicken broth. Cook on HIGH for 7 hours or until the meat is fully cooked.
    • Remove the pork onto a plate or cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat, discarding any pieces of fat, and return the pork to the slow cooker. 
    • Serve with garnishes. Note: the posole may be removed from the slow cooker, placed into a sealed container (allow to cool first) and refrigerated to allow flavors to deepen further before serving.

    Notes

    Though this version uses mild enchilada sauce it is still spicy. I suggest adding hot sauce when serving if more heat is desired versus using hot enchilada sauce which risks it becoming too spicy for some diners.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 3.3mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Originally published: May 3, 2016

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lo says

      August 07, 2020 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! Everyone in my family enjoyed this posole, even my picky, almost 21 year old!

      Reply
    2. micheele says

      January 24, 2019 at 8:49 am

      5 stars
      I cant tell you how much we loved this recipe! It was super easy to do in the crock pot and when we walked into the house after a long day of work it smelled so good! Im glad I had the forethought to make a double batch ! I’ll be enjoying it again for lunch again today! Thanks again!

      Reply
    3. Anna says

      January 22, 2019 at 8:23 am

      5 stars
      Hominy is one of our favorite ingredients. This hit the spot!

      Reply
    4. Barbara Schieving says

      January 21, 2019 at 9:47 pm

      5 stars
      Posole is always a hit at my house.

      Reply
    5. susan | the wimpy vegetarian says

      January 21, 2019 at 9:01 pm

      5 stars
      There’s a lot of information here! I love it – it will come in handy when I make posole again! And I’ve never heard of frozen avocado chunks!! I need to find them!! Where do you get them?

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        January 21, 2019 at 9:38 pm

        They were available through my local Kroger store. A signature brand in the frozen section! It was an exciting find.

        Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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