Pozole is a long-simmer dish where good pork and a real toasted-chile broth do the work; the guajillos and anchos have to be fresh enough to be pliable. The technique is a slow braise so the pork gives up its gelatin and the broth turns silky, then blending the chiles in for color and depth.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep30 min
Cook3 hours
Makes8 servings
CuisineMexican
Cost$$
Gluten-free
Contains dairy
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for8servings
Dried guajillo and ancho chiles
The red in pozole rojo comes from these toasted and blended, not from powder.
About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortA project
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
Braise the porkCover cubed pork with water, add onion and garlic, and simmer 90 minutes, skimming the foam, until the meat is tender.
Build the chile brothStem and seed the chiles, toast 30 seconds, soak 15 minutes, then blend smooth with a cup of the soaking liquid and strain.
CombineFry the strained chile puree in a little oil for 5 minutes, then stir it into the pork broth with the drained hominy.
Finish the simmerSimmer everything together 45 minutes to an hour so the flavors marry. Serve with bowls of shredded cabbage, sliced radish, onion, oregano, and lime.
Can you make Pozole Rojo in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert
Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.
Can you freeze Pozole Rojo? — Yes
Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Can you make Pozole Rojo ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Is Pozole Rojo gluten-free? — Yes
Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.
Is Pozole Rojo vegan? — No
No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.
Community Notes
Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.
Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →