Cerdo en Pipián Verde (Pork in Green Pumpkin Seed Sauce)
Tender diced pork shoulder in a thick, nutty green sauce, scooped up with warm tortillas and pickled onions.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Green mole (pipian verde) and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 40
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.14 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Season the pork with the salt. Heat the oil in a large pan and brown the pork in two batches for 5 minutes each.
10 min - 2
Return all the pork to the pan with the onion, garlic and water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook gently for 1 hour until the pork is tender.
60 min - 3
Discard the onion halves. Stir in your ready made green mole, pipian verde (see the base recipe) and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce is thick and coats the meat. Check the pork is steaming hot all through.
15 min - 4
Warm the tortillas in a dry pan for 20 seconds a side.
- 5
Serve the pork in bowls topped with pickled red onions and coriander, with the tortillas on the side.
Tips
- Add the green mole only at the end. A long boil dulls its bright colour.
- Trim the thick fat from the shoulder but leave a little for flavour.
- Loosen with hot water if the sauce is too thick as it sits.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 3 days in the fridge in a covered container. Cool within 2 hours, then reheat until steaming hot all through. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Questions
Can I use pork belly or leg?
Pork leg is leaner and may dry out, so check at 50 minutes. Belly is rich and best with fat trimmed.
Is it traditional?
Pork and chicken are both common in pipian. Pumpkin seed sauces are an old Mexican tradition.
Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the pork, then cook on low for 6 hours with the water, onion and garlic. Stir in the green mole for the last 20 minutes.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Tostadas de Carnitas (Crisp Pork Tostadas with Pickled Onions)
DFEFNFTacos de Cordero al Adobo de Guajillo (Guajillo Lamb Tacos)
DFEFNFTazon de Barbacoa de Res con Arroz Verde y Cebollas Encurtidas (Barbacoa Rice Bowl)
GFDFEFTacos de Hongos con Mole (Mushroom Mole Tacos)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.