Puerco en Salsa Verde con Arroz Rojo (Pork in Green Tomatillo Salsa)
Tender pork shoulder simmered in a tangy green tomatillo salsa until it falls apart, served with red rice.
Made with Salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa) and Mexican red rice (arroz rojo). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 45
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.89 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
Pat the pork dry and season with the salt. Heat the oil in a heavy casserole over a medium-high heat and brown the pork in two batches for 5 minutes each. Lift out.
10 min - 2
Lower the heat, add the onion to the same pot and cook for 6 minutes until soft. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
7 min - 3
Return the pork. Pour in your ready made salsa verde (see the base recipe) and the water. Bring to a simmer.
- 4
Cover and cook gently for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes until the pork is very tender. Stir now and then and add a splash of water if it catches.
70 min - 5
Taste and adjust the salt. If the sauce is thin, simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
10 min - 6
Warm your ready made arroz rojo (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with 3 tbsp water until steaming hot all the way through. Reheat chilled rice only once. Serve the pork over the rice with coriander and lime.
6 min
Tips
- Brown the pork well for flavour, but do not burn the sticky bits.
- Pork shoulder gives the best texture. Lean loin goes dry in a long simmer.
- Add a diced potato in the last 30 minutes to make it a one-pot meal.
- Serve with warm tortillas to mop up the sauce.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze the pork and sauce for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I cook it in a slow cooker?
Yes. Brown the pork, then cook everything on low for 7 to 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the pork is tender.
Is the sauce hot?
It is tangy and herby with mild-medium heat. Serrano or jalapeños in the base add the kick, so adjust that when you make the salsa.
Can I use chicken?
Yes. Use 800 g chicken thighs and simmer for 30 minutes only, until cooked through with no pink.
More made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
Quesadillas de Frijol y Quesillo (Bean and Oaxaca Cheese Quesadillas)
GFEFNFPollo en Salsa Verde (Chicken in Green Tomatillo Sauce)
DFEFNFQuesadillas de Hongos con Queso (Mushroom and Cheese Quesadillas)
GFEFNFTamales de Pastor (Pastor Pork Tamales)
GFDFEFSee every dish made with salsa verde (cooked tomatillo salsa)
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.