Instant Pot Posole Rojo | Mexican Recipes

The Instant Pot is a wonderful appliance, and it has definitely changed the way I cook. It can be used to cook one-pot meals without the worry of overcooking the food. I was first introduced to the Instant Pot last year at a friend’s house, and it was love at first use. I loved that I could make the most delicious and authentic Mexican recipes using this magical machine. After the first time, I was hooked…

Posole is a traditional Mexican dish made of pork, hominy, and spices. The dish can be thick and hearty or thin and soupy depending on the ingredients used. There are many ways to make posole, but the most popular is the posole rojo. Posole is traditionally served in Mexico on Christmas Day. Posole is also a popular dish in parts of northern Mexico like Chihuahua. It was not until the early 20th century that posole was brought to the United States.

One of my favourite Mexican dishes is Posole Rojo, which is made from the traditional roasted hominy and red chile. I love it because it’s so easy and comforting. When I was a child, we would have it on cold winter days when my mom couldn’t cook for us. I’d ask her to make it and I would make a big pot of it for the whole family to eat. It’s also great for parties, since you can make it the day before and have it all ready for guests to eat.

Posole Rojo (Red Chili Soup) is a substantial Mexican soup prepared with hominy and pig and served in a red chili broth.

A large white bowl holding the soup and topped with shredded cabbage, cilantro, and thinly sliced radishes.

What’s the difference between posole and pozole? Both are technically correct and may be used interchangeably. 

Posole comes in a variety of flavors depending on the area of Mexico, but the recipe I’m presenting here is for Posole Rojo. My husband’s family is from Guadalajara, therefore this version is from there. The soup is often prepared with pork and simmered on the stove for a couple of hours until the meat is soft. 

I decided to try making Posole in my Instant Pot and was quite pleased with the outcome! It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner when you use the Instant Pot.

Overhead view of soup in a white bowl.

What is there in Posole?

Hominy- Hominy is made from dried maize kernels that have been nixtamalized (processed with an alkali). After then, the kernel softens and swells up, almost tripling in size. Hominy has a neutral taste and the texture of a cooked bean.

Pig- Most recipes call for pork butt/shoulder, but I’m using a pork loin roast to make it healthier. Tenderloin of pork may also be utilized. Using a leaner pork reduces cooking time in half, whether you’re using a pressure cooker or a stovetop. 

Overhead view of ingredients. Pork, Hominy, Dried chilis, White onion, tomatoes, garlic , and salt.

Guajillo Chiles- The broth is made using dried Guajillo or California Chiles. Chilis like these may be purchased in most supermarkets or in a local Hispanic market. For the broth, they must be rehydrated in boiling water before being mixed with tomatoes and garlic. 

Up close view of dried guajillo chili

The basic ingredients are listed above, but don’t forget to add the toppings! The following is something we’d want to add:

Tostadas or chips, shredded lettuce, sliced radishes, chopped cilantro, lime, spicy sauce

How to Make Rojo Posole

I’ll show you how to make it on the stovetop and in the Instant Pot. Both techniques need the preparation of red sauce.

The Sauce (Red)

This is the soup’s Rojo, or Red, portion.

Remove the stems and seeds from the Guajillo or California chilis and rehydrate in boiling water. If you want your Posole to be spicy, add a chile de arbol, however we always serve it with hot sauce so the kids can enjoy it as well.

After rehydrating the chilis, they are mixed with water, garlic, and tomatoes. 

After they’ve been mixed, drain the sauce to eliminate any remaining seeds. I use a rubber spatula to assist the liquid pass through the mesh strainer, which speeds up the process. 

Zoomed in view of posole showing pieces of hominy and pork.

Method Using an Instant Pot 

Posole Rojo is made using pork loin, which is considerably slimmer than pig shoulder or butt. It takes less time to cook since there is less fat. 

In the Instant Pot, combine the pork, hominy, red sauce, salt, and whole onion. Fill to the Max Line with water. Set the timer for 25 minutes, then wait at least 15 minutes for the pressure to naturally dissipate. 

If you wish to utilize Pork Shoulder, you’ll need to use the Instant Pot for two cycles. The meat, salt, water, and onion are used in the first cycle. Cook for 25 minutes on high pressure. Add the Hominy and Red Sauce after it’s done. Cook for a further 10 minutes on high pressure.  

Up close view of Posole in a white bowl with shredded cabbage, cilantro, and thinly sliced radishes on top.

Method on the Stovetop

In a large saucepan with water, combine the pork loin, hominy, red sauce, salt, and entire onion. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat and cook for 1 hour, or until the pork is tender. 

To make the Pork Shoulder, combine the pork shoulder, water, and onion in a big saucepan and bring to a boil. Allow for 1 to 1.5 hours of simmering time, or until the pork is soft. Then add the hominy, red sauce, and salt, and cook for 30 minutes on a low heat. 

Is it possible to keep leftover posole?

Yes! Posole leftovers may be kept in the fridge for a few days. Before serving, reheat on the burner and add toppings.

Posole may be frozen as well. Freeze in freezer-safe containers, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove. 

Zoomed out view of soup with a plate of sliced radishes on the side.

Posole is a favorite of ours to eat over the holidays since it can be made in big quantities and is filling.

Other authentic Guadalajara Mexican recipes to try:

Rojo Chilaquiles

Carne en su Jugo (meat in its own juice)

Soup with Lentejas

Here’s the link to the YouTube video:

Text overlay saying 'Posole Rojo' and a bowl of posole in the background.

A large white bowl holding the soup and topped with shredded cabbage, cilantro, and thinly sliced radishes.

Posole Rojo in an Instant Pot

Renee Fuentes is a model and actress.

Posole Rojo is a pork-and-hominy soup with fresh cabbage, radishes, cilantro, and lime on top.

Time to Prepare: 20 minutes

Time to cook: 25 minutes

15 minutes to apply pressure

1 hour total time

Soup for Courses

Mexican cuisine

Instructions 

Red Sauce, Blended

  • Begin by preparing the red sauce. Remove the stems from the dried chilis and shake off some of the seeds. Then, in a dish or saucepan of boiling water, put them. Soak for 15 minutes, or until soft.

  • Remove the soaking chilis from the water and mix them with 1 cup of clean water, entire garlic cloves, and tomatoes in a blender. 1 minute to blend until smooth To remove any large pieces or seeds, strain the mixture through a small mesh strainer. To get the red sauce through the sieve quicker, use a spatula.

Instant Pot is a device that allows you to cook (8 quart size)

  • Pork should be cut into 2-inch pieces and placed in the Instant Pot with the following ingredients: Hominy, whole onion, strained red sauce, salt, and water, all drained I kept adding water until the Max Fill line was reached. Set the Instant Pot timer for 25 minutes, then let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes. Remove the onion and discard the cover. Taste the broth and season with more salt if necessary.

  • To make it simpler to consume, you may either leave the pork in chunks or shred certain portions. Serve in bowls with toppings on the side.

Stovetop:

  • Place in a big saucepan on the stove and cut into 2 inch pieces. Add 8-10 cups of water to the saucepan (or however big your pot is). Cover with a lid and add a full peeled onion. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat and cook for 1 hour, or until meat is tender. 

  • Add both cans of drained hominy and the strained red sauce after the pork has been cooking for an hour. Return to a boil, then lower to a low heat and continue to cook for approximately 30 minutes, or until the pork is cooked and the hominy has softened.

  • If necessary, season the soup with more salt.

  • To make it simpler to consume, you may either leave the pork in chunks or shred certain portions. Serve in bowls with toppings on the side.

Notes

If you wish to utilize Pork Shoulder, you’ll need to use the Instant Pot for two cycles. The chopped pork, salt, water, and onion are used in the first cycle. Cook for 25 minutes on high pressure. Add the Hominy and Red Sauce after it’s done. Cook for a further 10 minutes on high pressure. Pork Shoulder on the Stovetop- Place chopped pork, water, and onion in a big saucepan and bring to a boil. Allow for 1 to 1.5 hours of simmering time, or until the pork is soft. Then add the hominy, red sauce, and salt, and cook for 30 minutes on a low heat. 

 

Instant Pot (IP) is one of the most popular brands of pressure cookers on the market. They are usually used to cook meat or vegetables quickly without the need for the lid to be opened, reducing food loss and contamination. Instant Pot is a smart kitchen appliance that can be programmed to cook, and then automatically maintain the set pressure, at temperatures from 0°C to 250°C.. Read more about instant pot pork pozole verde and let us know what you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between pozole and posole?

Pozole is a type of Mexican soup made with pork, hominy, and chile. Posole is the same thing but made with chicken instead of pork.

How long is chicken pozole good in the refrigerator?

Chicken pozole is good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

What is the difference between posole?

A type of Mexican soup made with hominy, pork, and chile peppers.

Related Tags

This article broadly covered the following related topics:

  • instant pot posole
  • instant pot posole dried hominy
  • instant pot posole verde
  • instant pot red posole
  • instant pot posole chicken

Una is a food website blogger motivated by her love of cooking and her passion for exploring the connection between food and culture. With an enthusiasm for creating recipes that are simple, seasonal, and international, she has been able to connect with people around the world through her website. Una's recipes are inspired by her travels across Mexico, Portugal, India, Thailand, Australia and China. In each of these countries she has experienced local dishes while learning about the culture as well as gaining insight into how food can be used as a bridge between different cultures. Her recipes are often creative combinations of traditional ingredients from various different cuisines blended together to create something new.