What is Pozole?
Here is how to pronounce pozole: poh-sOH-lay. Pozole is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine. It’s a hearty and robust dish that has its roots in pre-Columbian times and is made primarily with hominy (nixtamalized corn), meat (typically pork, but also chicken or other meats), and can be seasoned with a variety of chiles and other spices. There are several regional variations of pozole in Mexico, which include:
- Pozole Blanco (White Pozole): This version is the simplest, often served with various toppings like shredded cabbage, radish, onion, lime, oregano, and chili sauce on the side.
- Pozole Rojo (Red Pozole): This is a red version that gets its color from the use of red chiles such as guajillo, piquin, or ancho chiles. It tends to be a bit spicier and more robust in flavor than the white version.
- Pozole Verde (Green Pozole): This version uses green ingredients, such as tomatillos, green chiles, and sometimes pumpkin seeds, to give it its distinctive color.
Pozole is traditionally served on special occasions, including Mexican Independence Day and Christmas, and it’s also a popular dish to enjoy on weekends or at family gatherings. As mentioned, it’s typically garnished with fresh toppings, which adds a fresh contrast to the rich and flavorful soup.
Vegan Pozole
I make a vegan version of pozole, which is traditionally made with pork or chicken. Since I follow a plant-based diet, I prepare it with oyster mushrooms, and it tastes even better than the original. This hearty dish provides nourishment for both body and soul, leaving you feeling satisfied.
By replacing the animal-based broth with a combination of oyster mushrooms and water, the Soup’s flavor profile is heightened while still maintaining its rich and delicious taste. This swap adds a unique earthy flavor and provides a healthier and more sustainable alternative.
I could eat Mexican food every day, not just because I am Mexican, but because it is delicious. Mexican food is flavorful and full of textures, colors, chiles, and ingredients.
Ingredients for Vegan Pozole Rojo
Chiles. The broth’s chile puree is made with ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chiles, each with distinct flavor notes. I couldn’t choose just one; they’re all delicious.
Onion. I like to use white onion when cooking food from Mexico, especially this vegan pozole recipe. But yellow onions work perfectly well in the recipe.
Liquid. For this recipe, water or vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken or meat broth. The soup’s flavors come mainly from the chiles and the hominy, so you don’t need to use meat broth. If you prefer, you can use a combination of vegetable broth and water.
Vegetable oil. It’s best to use a neutral-tasting oil like avocado, safflower, or canola instead of olive oil, which can alter the flavor.
Hominy corn. Hominy corn is typically found in the Latino food aisle of most supermarkets and is easily accessible in canned form.
Oyster mushrooms. I like using shredded oyster mushrooms for this recipe due to their texture, which, when cooked, mimics that of shredded pork.
The base for my vegan pozole rojo broth is made with a three-chili puree that turns out so flavorful that it infuses the hominy and the meat you add—making each spoonful lightly spicy and heartwarming at the same time. Below is some information about different types of dried chiles:
- What is a chile ancho? It is a dried poblano pepper with a deep, rich flavor and a hint of fruitiness.
- What is a chile guajillo? It is a very mild chile that is not spicy but has a lot of flavor.
- What is a chile pasilla? It is a great ingredient for finishing soups or making sauces. These chiles have a mild spiciness, an earthy flavor, and a touch of sweetness.
How to make vegan pozole rojo
Soak the stemmed chiles in hot water in a pot until soft and pliable. Blend them with the soaking liquid and the onion. Add the oil to a Dutch oven over medium heat, add the chile puree, and let it cook for two to three minutes.
Add your liquid. You can use water or vegetable broth. Rinse your blender with it, and then add it to the pot. Then add the hominy and the shredded oyster mushrooms, cover, and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir from time to time to ensure it does not scorch.
How to serve pozole
You usually serve this in a big bowl and top it with shredded lettuce, sliced radishes, fresh chopped white onion, dried oregano, a good squeeze of lime juice, and tostadas on the side.
Some tips to make this recipe easier
- Hominy. I use canned hominy to make my pozole. You can find it online or in most Latin grocery stores. It is cooked and flavorful.
- Chiles. When choosing your dried chiles, choose chiles of a similar size; this will give the red chile sauce a balanced flavor. If you have difficulty finding one of the chili peppers, use one tablespoon of chile powder instead or substitute with the other.
- Straining. I have to confess that I never strain things. I have a Vitamix blender, and that gets all the work done. If you don’t have a high-speed blender, strain the puree. This way, your soups will be smooth and tasty.
- Where to buy chiles? Check your local supermarket; I’m sure you’ll find some there. You can find Mexican dried chiles on Amazon: Ole Mission is a good choice, as is The Spice House. Both have a good selection of chiles.
- Substitute. If you can’t find oyster mushrooms, substitute them with jackfruit, chickpeas, or pinto beans. But be aware that the pinto beans may change the authentic flavor of the pozole a bit. I have seen other recipes that add carrots and potatoes instead of meat to make it vegan or vegetarian. Some even add cilantro. This would be a no for me as they will completely change the authentic pozole flavor.
How to store or freeze pozole
Allow the pozole to cool to room temperature after cooking. If possible, store the broth separately from the hominy and the meat. This can help maintain the best texture of the hominy, as it can continue to swell and absorb liquid if left in the broth.
Airtight Containers: Transfer the pozole into airtight containers. This helps prevent the absorption of other flavors from your refrigerator and maintains the pozole’s moisture.
Refrigerate: Once in airtight containers, place the pozole in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it can last 3 to 5 days.
Freezing: Place the pozole in the coldest part of the freezer. Properly stored, pozole can be frozen for up to 4-6 months.
Can it be made ahead of time? Yes, leftovers taste amazing, and sometimes, they taste better the next day. If you want to meal-prep, you can make the chile puree and store it in the fridge or the freezer. It will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When is pozole served?
Pozole is a party dish—or a party in a dish, as I love to call it. Mexicans typically serve pozole at special celebrations or during the holiday season, such as Christmas or New Year’s Eve. It is also a ubiquitous dish at the end of a wedding before the guests return home.
vegan or just looking to add some variety to your diet, this recipe is sure to satisfy. So why wait? Give it a try today and taste the difference for yourself!” />
Vegan Pozole Rojo
Equipment
- Dutch oven or large soup pot
Ingredients
- 2 ancho chiles
- 2 guajillo chiles
- 2 pasilla chiles
- ½ medium onion
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 lb hominy corn, cooked 2 1-lb cans
- 10.5 oz of oyster mushrooms
To serve
- Sliced lettuce
- Sliced radishes
- Dried oregano
- Chopped onion
- Lime juice
- Corn toastadas
Instructions
- Clean the peppers with a dried kitchen cloth and remove the stem and seeds.
- Soak them in hot water for 10-15 min. Just add enough water to cover the peppers. Soak them until soft and pliable.
- Meanwhile, shred the oyster mushrooms.
- Add the peppers and the soaking-chile liquid in the blender with the onion and blend well. Strain if needed.
- In a large soup pot, add the oil over medium heat and pour the chili paste. Leave for about three minutes or until it begins to change color, and the peppers release their aroma.
- Add to the blender container about 4 cups of water and get all the chili puree stuck in there. Pour this water into the soup pot.
- Add the salt, hominy corn, and oyster mushrooms. Cover and leave simmering for 15 minutes or until it starts to release a boil.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, add more water if the chili flavor is too strong.
- Serve in large bowls and top with sliced lettuce, chopped onion, radishes, oregano, and lime juice. Eat with corn tostadas.
Nutrition
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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