Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

Home » Type » Soups + Stews » VEGAN POZOLE (POSOLE VERDE)

Jump to Recipe

Vegan Pozole Verde is made with pinto beans, hominy, tomatillos and jalapeno for a delicious and vibrant flavorful Mexican main dish perfect for a hearty and delicious lunch or dinner! Stovetop, Instant Pot or Slow Cooker!

Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (1)

Today we celebrate a Mexican inspired dish called Posole, or green pozole in this case!

Pozole, which means hominy, is filled with lots of umami flavor and is so simple, hearty and delicious. It’s a traditional Mexican comfort food that’s often served for special occasions, but is also a weekly staple for many.

When I ran across this recipe from William + Sonoma, I knew I had to create a vegan version using beans instead of chicken. It did not disappoint in the least and is an absolute cozy and delicious meal!

So when you’re looking for a healthy and satisfying meal, I think you’ll love this vegan Pozole Verde. It’s a no-fuss recipe that can be made on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot or slow cooker!

So without further ado, let’s make Pozole!

Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2)

Table of Contents show

Ingredients You’ll Need

In this posole recipe, onion, garlic, peppers and herbs are sauteed and simmered with pinto beans, hominy and tomatillos, creating a delicious meal that’s between a soup and stew.

Here is everything you will need, plus ideas for substituting ingredients:

  • pinto beans – or use your favorite such as chickpeas, cannellini, black beans or tri-blend
  • hominy – for ease use canned, but 2 cups fresh cooked is great too
  • tomatillos – fresh, bright, with a lemony flavor, tomatillos add texture and heartiness
  • herbs – dried cumin and oregano add just the right amount of flavor
  • aromatics – garlic and onion, if you don’t have fresh garlic sub with 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • chili pepper – I used a jalapeno, feel free to use 1 small poblano or 1 small can of diced green chilies
  • broth – I use 1/2 teaspoon of Better Than Bouillon Veg Paste (affiliate link) with water for my broth. It’s a great way to control what you’re adding and a jar lasts a long time.
Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (3)

How To Make Vegan Pozole Verde

(Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post and includes an Instant Pot and slow cooker method)

  • In a large pot, saute the onion for 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, jalapeno, oregano, cumin salt and pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the pinto beans, hominy and tomatillos.
Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (4)
  • Pour in the vegetable broth.
Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (5)
  • Give a good stir, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 – 30 minutes, add lime juice (shown below).

And now you’re ready to enjoy this simple, savory green posole!

Top Tips

  • Pozole is between a soup and a stew, add more broth if you prefer it a little more soupier.
  • This vegan pozole recipe is super easy to make on the stovetop, in an Instant Pot or slow cooker (see recipe card card below).
  • Change up the pinto beans, using your favorite – chickpeas, cannellini, great northern, black beans, etc.
Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (6)
Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (7)

How To Store

  • Refrigerator: Leftovers will keep for 5 – 6 days in the refrigerator, stored in a covered container.
  • Freezer: This vegan pozole is freezer friendly and freezes well for up to 2 – 3 months. To freeze, let cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch head space for expansion. You can also freeze larger portions in large ziplock bags (remove as much air as possible before zip locking). Let thaw before reheating.
  • Reheat: Simply re-warm on the stovetop over low heat until warmed through. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave using 30 – 60 second intervals, stirring after each, until warm.

Serving suggestions

Posole is traditionally served with a variety of condiments and garnishes such as:

  • sliced avocado
  • radish slices
  • squeeze of lime
  • fresh oregano or cilantro leaves
  • shredded lettuce or cabbage
  • sliced chili peppers
  • tortilla chips or warmed flour or corn tortillas

Or serve with a few sides or main dishes for a hearty meal:

  • Sides: Serve with a side of Cilantro Lime Rice, Quick + Easy Refried Beans, or Instant Pot Black Beans.
  • Tacos: Serve with these Vegan Black Bean Tacos, Grilled Baja Tofu Tacos, or Poblano Taco Sliders.
  • Salad: Pair with a simple House Salador Southwestern Salad + Hatch Chili Dressing.
  • Sandwich: Make a soup and sandwich combo with this Avocado + Black Bean Tortas.
Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (8)

More Tex-Mex Recipes

  • Tex-Mex Quinoa Vegetable Soup
  • Quick + Easy Nacho Bowl
  • Vegan Burrito Bowl
  • See all vegan Tex-Mex recipes on TSV!

If you try this posole recipe or have a question, please let me know!Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

VEGAN POZOLE (POSOLE VERDE)

Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (9)
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 29 reviews

Somewhere between a soup and stew, this Posole Verde is hearty, flavorful and full of textures! Quick and easy recipe, ready in about 35 minutes.

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 25 min
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 4 – 6 1x
  • Category: Entree, Soup
  • Method: simmer, instant pot, slow cooker
  • Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or 1/4 cup water
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 large jalapeno, diced (leave a few seeds for heat if you like)
  • 34 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 heaping teaspoon cumin
  • 1 heaping teaspoon oregano
  • 1 can (25 – 28 oz) hominy, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans (14 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 medium tomatillos (about 1 lb.), husks removed, well rinsed and chopped
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, + more as needed
  • 12 juicy limes
  • mineral salt + pepper, to taste

To Serve, optional

  • cilantro leaves
  • sliced avocado
  • sliced radish
  • shredded cabbage or lettuce
  • limes wedges
  • tortilla chips or warmed flour or corn tortillas
  • chili peppers

Instructions

Stovetop: In large pot, heat oil/water over medium, add onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Add the pinto beans, tomatillos, hominy and vegetable broth, bring to a boil, cover askew, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 – 30 minutes. Add lime juice and season to taste.

Instant Pot: Set the Instant Pot to SAUTE, heat the oil/water, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, jalapeno, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper, cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Add the pinto beans, tomatillos, hominy and vegetable broth. Cover with lid and turn to the lock position. Set the valve to SEALED. Set Instant Pot to HIGH pressure and manually adjust the time to 20 minutes. Let naturally release for 10 minutes, and turn the valve to VENTING to release remaining steam. Add lime juice and season to taste.

Slow Cooker: In the bowl of a slow cooker, place all the ingredients and give a good stir. Cook on LOW for 6 – 8 hours or HIGH for 3 – 4. Add lime juice and season to taste.

Serves 4 – 6

Serve: Ladle soup into individual serving bowls. Garnish with cilantro, avocado (highly recommended) and radish, or any of the optional garnishes.

Store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Notes

Change up the pinto beans using your favorite – chickpeas, cannellini, great northern, black beans or tri-blend.

FOLLOW TSVonFacebook,Instagram,Pinterest,orRSSfor more updates and inspiration!

Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan pozole made of? ›

This Vegan Pozole Rojo is one of our favorite recipes when we're craving something hearty and comforting. It's jam-packed with dried chiles, hominy, and red kidney beans, then simmered in a flavorful, vibrant broth. Top with tons of delicious, fresh toppings, and dig in!

What is the difference between pozole blanco and verde? ›

Pozole blanco—"white pozole"—is the preparation without any additional green or red sauce. Pozole verde—"green pozole"—adds a rich salsa verde based on green ingredients, possibly including tomatillos, epazote, cilantro, green chiles (typically jalapeños or serranos), or pepitas.

What makes pozole so good? ›

Pozole is the height of Mexican comfort food. A deep bowl full of steaming broth, scented with cumin, oregano, and chiles, packed with flavorful bites of heirloom corn and tender meat, this hearty soup is flavorful, satiating, and absolutely delicious.

How do you thicken pozole? ›

Pozole rojo is meant to be a brothy soup. If you would like to thicken it up like chicken enchilada soup, then you can use masa harina (recommended) or cornstarch. Masa harina: whisk ¾ cup masa harina with 1 1 /2 cups of broth from the stew until smooth. Add to the pozole and bring to a simmer until thickened.

What is pozole broth made of? ›

Pozole is a super easy and amazingly tasty stew made with pork, dried chiles, and hominy. This recipe for the traditional Mexican stew is a pozole rojo and features red chile peppers. To some, this soup is at its best thanks to the garnishes, which provide balance and flavor in addition to decoration.

What was pozole originally made from? ›

Therefore, the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican peoples cooked Pozole only on special occasions. Originally, Pozole was made from the human meat of prisoners whose hearts had been ripped out in ritual sacrifice.

What are the three types of pozole? ›

There are three main types of pozole, each named for the color of the soup: verde, rojo and blanco.

Is pozole verde good for you? ›

Therefore, enjoying a cup of pozole may be a comforting way to add more nutrients to your diet. Pozole is a balanced dish rich in protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The content of some nutrients is improved during the nixtamalization process that the corn goes through.

What are the two types of pozole? ›

Pozole can be prepared in many ways and the 3 most common types of Pozole are Rojo (red), Blanco (white), and Verde (green). I've honestly only ever had Rojo or Verde and love them both so much! Today, we have a guest recipe share an authentic Pozole Verde made by my dear friend, Martha.

Should I rinse canned hominy? ›

Utilizing the appropriate cooking method for the type of hominy you have is key. Another common issue is not thoroughly rinsing canned hominy before use. Rinsing helps to remove any residual sodium or canning liquids, which can affect the final flavor of your dish.

What makes pozole unhealthy? ›

The dish has more than 1,500 calories and 93 grams of fat. Factor in toppings like guacamole and sour cream, and you'll get most of your day's calories and sodium in one meal.

Why is my pozole bland? ›

Posole is very bland and requires a fair amount of salt to bring out its flavor. This will be even more flavorful the next day.

Do you drain hominy for pozole? ›

To use dried hominy, soak it overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse; boil in a large pot of salted water until the hominy kernels are opaque, tender, and no longer have a starchy center, 1½ to 2 hours. Canned hominy, rid of all can flavor and toasted until addictive.

Why does my pozole taste watery? ›

If you don't add enough bouillon, the pozole will taste watery. If you add too much bouillon it will be really salty (but you can fix that by adding more water). Start with a few generous shakes of bouillon and when the pozole is almost finished taste it and see if it needs more.

Does pozole go bad? ›

If you have part of a pot of pozole, UNgarnished, it will last up to a week in the fridge; it can also be frozen for longer keeping.

Can you substitute corn for hominy? ›

You can substitute hominy with chickpeas, sweet corn, barley, brown rice & wild rice, polenta and regular grits, buckwheat grits, samp (South African corn), or adzuki beans. Choose the alternative that best suits your recipe and personal taste preferences.

Where is pozole soup from? ›

What is pozole made of in Spanish? ›

This Mexican POZOLE recipe is a brothy, hearty soup built on a base of hominy and tender pork or chicken, flavored with a homemade red chile sauce and garnished with shredded cabbage and thinly sliced radishes. It's also known as Pozole Rojo.

Where does pozole meat come from? ›

Interestingly, historical records suggest that during special ceremonies, the meat used in pozole was not pork or chicken as we know it today, but rather human flesh. After the arrival of the Spanish, who banned cannibalistic practices, pork was substituted, as its taste was said to be similar.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 5783

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (47 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.