Puerco en Pipián Verde (Pork in Green Pumpkin Seed Mole)
Tender pork in a silky green mole thickened with pumpkin seeds, served with courgette and rice.
Made with Green mole (pipian verde) and Carnitas (slow cooked pork). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £3.55 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
Rinse the rice, put in a pan with the water and a pinch of salt, bring to the boil, cover and cook on a low heat for 12 minutes, then rest covered for 5 minutes.
17 min - 2
Heat the oil in a wide pan and fry the courgettes and green beans for 5 minutes until just tender.
5 min - 3
Pour in the green mole (see the base recipe) and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring so it does not catch.
- 4
Add the carnitas (see the base recipe) and simmer gently for 10 minutes, until the pork is steaming hot all the way through and the sauce is velvety. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick.
10 min - 5
Serve the pork and vegetables in bowls over the rice with lime wedges.
Tips
- Keep the mole at a very gentle simmer. A hard boil can split a seed-thickened sauce.
- Add the pork near the end so it does not dry out further.
- Loosen with water, not stock, to keep the green colour fresh.
Storing and freezing
Cool quickly and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through. Reheat rice only once.
Questions
Is pipian nut free?
Traditional pipian uses pumpkin seeds, not nuts, but check labels on any packaged seeds and use a base made as in the recipe.
Can I use chicken instead?
Yes, chicken in pipian is just as traditional, but this dish uses the carnitas base.
How hot is it?
Mild to medium, depending on the chillies in your mole.
More made with green mole (pipian verde)
Chiles Poblanos Rellenos con Pipián Verde (Stuffed Poblanos in Green Sauce)
EFNFVVerduras en Pipián Verde (Vegetable Stew in Green Pumpkin Seed Sauce)
GFDFEFAlbóndigas en Pipián Verde (Meatballs in Green Pumpkin Seed Sauce)
DFNFHPTamales Verdes de Pollo con Pipián (Green Chicken Tamales)
GFDFEFDouble 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.