Salsa Verde Pork is a flavorful, easy-to-make dish that features tender, slow-cooked pork infused with the zesty and tangy flavors of salsa verde. Salsa verde, made with tomatillos, garlic, and other spices, adds a unique twist to the pork, making it a delicious and versatile meal. This dish can be served in various ways, such as in tacos, burritos, over rice, or even as a filling for enchiladas. The slow-cooked pork becomes incredibly tender, allowing the savory salsa verde sauce to soak into the meat, creating a mouthwatering combination of flavors.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless pork shoulder
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa verde
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional for garnish)
Lime wedges (optional for serving)

Directions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Season the pork shoulder with cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the seasoned pork to the skillet and brown it on all sides for about 4-5 minutes.
Transfer the browned pork to a slow cooker. Pour the salsa verde over the pork, ensuring it is well coated. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Once cooked, shred the pork using two forks and mix it with the salsa verde sauce in the slow cooker. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Nutrients

Calories: 280
Protein: 27g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fat: 17g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 620mg

The Key Flavors in Salsa Verde Pork

The star of Salsa Verde Pork is the salsa verde itself. Made with tomatillos, cilantro, garlic, onion, and green chilies, salsa verde is a bright and refreshing sauce that carries a perfect balance of tanginess, heat, and freshness. The acidity of the tomatillos works well with the richness of the pork, cutting through the fattiness and enhancing the natural flavor of the meat.

Tomatillos: The primary ingredient in salsa verde, tomatillos provide a tart, citrus-like flavor that is the perfect counterpoint to the richness of the slow-cooked pork. Their tangy nature helps to balance out the dish, giving the pork a vibrant, zesty kick.
Garlic and Onion: Garlic and onion are key aromatics in salsa verde, adding depth and savory notes to the sauce. These ingredients contribute to the complexity of the dish, rounding out the other flavors and creating a fuller taste experience.
Chili Peppers: Depending on the heat level of the salsa verde, different chili peppers like jalapeños, serranos, or poblano peppers are used to give the sauce a spicy kick. This spice adds a layer of heat that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of the pork.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is another important ingredient in salsa verde. Its bright, citrusy flavor adds freshness to the sauce, helping to lighten the overall richness of the pork. Cilantro’s herbal notes are essential to the overall flavor profile of the dish.
Pork Shoulder: The pork itself, typically a pork shoulder, is well-marbled with fat, making it the ideal cut for slow cooking. As the pork cooks, it becomes tender and easily shreds, allowing the salsa verde to soak into the meat and create a deliciously juicy filling for tacos, burritos, or whatever base you choose.

How Salsa Verde Pork Can Be Served

Salsa Verde Pork is a versatile dish that can be used in a variety of meals. It works as a filling for tacos or burritos, served over rice or in a salad, or even enjoyed with mashed potatoes for a twist on traditional pork dishes. Here are some ways to serve Salsa Verde Pork:

Tacos: One of the most popular ways to enjoy Salsa Verde Pork is by making tacos. Warm corn or flour tortillas are filled with the tender, shredded pork and topped with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime juice. You can also add additional toppings like avocado, sour cream, or salsa for extra flavor.
Burritos: For a heartier meal, Salsa Verde Pork makes an excellent filling for burritos. Simply add the pork to a flour tortilla, and top with beans, rice, cheese, and any other fillings you desire. Roll it up, and you have a delicious and filling meal.
Rice Bowls: Salsa Verde Pork is perfect for serving over a bed of rice. The rich and zesty sauce soaks into the rice, creating a flavorful base for the tender pork. You can add beans, sautéed vegetables, or even a fried egg on top for a more complete meal.
Salads: For a lighter option, serve Salsa Verde Pork on a salad. Pair the tender pork with mixed greens, corn, avocado, and a light lime vinaigrette for a refreshing meal that still packs plenty of flavor.
Enchiladas: Salsa Verde Pork can also be used as a filling for enchiladas. Simply roll the shredded pork in corn tortillas, top with extra salsa verde, and bake until bubbly and delicious. This is a great option for feeding a crowd.
Nachos: For a fun and shareable meal, pile the shredded Salsa Verde Pork onto a plate of tortilla chips, and top with cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and jalapeños for an irresistible nacho platter.

Benefits of Slow-Cooked Pork

One of the major benefits of using pork shoulder in this recipe is the slow cooking process. Slow cooking pork results in tender, juicy meat that falls apart effortlessly. Pork shoulder is a well-marbled cut of meat, meaning it has a good amount of fat throughout, which helps keep the meat moist during the long cooking process. As it cooks in the salsa verde, the fat slowly melts, allowing the meat to absorb the flavors of the sauce.

How to Customize Salsa Verde Pork

Salsa Verde Pork is an incredibly adaptable recipe that can be customized to suit a variety of tastes. Here are a few ways to tweak the recipe to your liking:

Adjusting Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, you can use a mild salsa verde or reduce the amount of chili peppers in the sauce. For those who enjoy more heat, you can add extra jalapeños or even incorporate a hotter pepper, like a serrano, into the sauce for an added kick.
Adding Vegetables: To add more texture and flavor to the dish, you can toss in additional vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or corn, into the slow cooker. These vegetables will soak up the flavors of the salsa and add freshness to the dish.
Changing the Protein: While pork is the traditional protein in this recipe, you can also use chicken, beef, or even tofu if you prefer. Each protein will bring its own flavor to the dish, but the salsa verde will complement all of them beautifully.
Serving Variations: You can serve Salsa Verde Pork in a variety of ways, as discussed earlier. Whether you prefer it in tacos, over rice, or in a bowl, the dish is versatile enough to be customized to suit your dietary preferences.

Nutritional Value and Benefits of Salsa Verde Pork

Salsa Verde Pork is a well-balanced dish that provides a good source of protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. Pork is an excellent source of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall health. The salsa verde adds a burst of nutrients, particularly from the tomatillos, which are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and dietary fiber.

Conclusion

Salsa Verde Pork is a flavorful, versatile, and easy-to-make dish that brings the delicious flavors of Mexican cuisine into your home kitchen. The combination of slow-cooked pork, tangy salsa verde, and a mix of spices creates a mouthwatering meal that can be served in numerous ways, from tacos to rice bowls. The recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd, and can easily be customized to suit a variety of tastes and dietary needs.

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