Crockpot Chile Verde

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
Total Time: 6-8.5 hours
Servings: 6-8
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Mexican-American

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Description

This Crockpot Chile Verde is a rich, flavorful, and tender slow-cooked pork dish simmered in a tangy green chile sauce. Perfect for busy days, this recipe requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor. Serve it over rice, in tacos, burritos, or with warm tortillas for a comforting meal.

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Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs pork shoulder (or pork butt), trimmed and cut into 1.5-inch cubes

• 1 tbsp olive oil (for browning)

• 1 large yellow onion, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lb tomatillos, husked and quartered

• 2 jalapeños, seeded and diced (adjust for spice)

• 2 (4 oz) cans mild green chiles

• 1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles (hot or mild)

• 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)

• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 tbsp ground cumin

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 bay leaf

For Serving (Optional)

• Warm corn or flour tortillas

• Cooked white or cilantro-lime rice

• Sour cream or Mexican crema

• Diced avocado or guacamole

• Shredded cheese (queso fresco, Monterey Jack, or cheddar)

• Lime wedges

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Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Pork

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Season pork cubes with salt and pepper, then brown in batches (2-3 minutes per side).

3. Transfer browned pork to the slow cooker.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

1. In the same skillet, add onion and cook until soft (3-4 minutes).

2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Step 3: Blend the Sauce

1. In a blender, combine tomatillos, jalapeños, canned green chiles, chicken broth, cilantro, cumin, and oregano.

2. Blend until smooth, then pour over the pork in the slow cooker.

3. Add the bay leaf and stir to combine.

Step 4: Slow Cook

1. Cover and cook on:

   • Low for 6-8 hours (best for tender pork)

   • High for 4-5 hours (if short on time)

2. Pork should be fall-apart tender.

Step 5: Shred & Serve

1. Remove bay leaf.

2. Use two forks to shred pork slightly (or leave in chunks).

3. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes to thicken.

4. Serve with tortillas, rice, avocado, sour cream, and lime wedges.

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Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approx. 1 cup)

Notes:

• Low-carb option: Serve with lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.

• Spiciness: Adjust by adding more jalapeños or using hotter green chiles.

• Freezer-friendly: Stores well for up to 3 months.

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Final Thoughts

This Crockpot Chile Verde is a hearty, flavorful, and effortless meal that’s perfect for weeknights or meal prep. The tender pork soaked in a tangy, slightly spicy green sauce will become a family favorite.