Chile Verde is a savory and tangy Mexican dish that features tender pork simmered in a flavorful green sauce made from tomatillos, green chilies, and a variety of seasonings. Cooking it in the Crock Pot (slow cooker) makes it incredibly easy, as the pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the flavors have plenty of time to develop. This dish is perfect for meal prepping, family dinners, or feeding a crowd, and it pairs wonderfully with rice, tortillas, or as a filling for tacos or burritos.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into chunks (or chicken if preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups tomatillos, husked and roughly chopped (or use a can of tomatillo salsa as a shortcut)
  • 2-3 medium green chilies (like Anaheim or poblano), seeds removed and chopped (or use canned green chilies)
  • 1-2 jalapeños (optional, for heat), seeds removed and chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Prep the pork: Season the pork chunks with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Toss to coat evenly.
  2. Combine ingredients in the Crock Pot: Add the seasoned pork to the Crock Pot. Then, add the diced onion, garlic, tomatillos, green chilies, jalapeños, and chicken broth.
  3. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  4. Shred the pork: Once the pork is tender, remove it from the Crock Pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce.
  5. Finish and season: Stir in the lime juice and taste the chile verde for seasoning. Adjust salt, pepper, and any extra lime juice as needed.
  6. Serve: Serve your chile verde with rice, tortillas, or on top of crispy fried potatoes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and enjoy!

Nutrition (per serving, assuming 6 servings):

  • Calories: ~350-400
  • Protein: 30g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Fat: 20g
    • Saturated fat: 7g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 500-600mg (may vary depending on the broth and seasoning used)

This Chile Verde is a flavorful and hearty dish that’s both satisfying and easy to make, thanks to the Crock Pot.