Mexican Chicharrón en Salsa Verde Recipe
Description
Mexican Chicharrón en Salsa Verde is a classic Mexican comfort food made with crispy pork rinds gently simmered in a bright, tangy salsa verde made from tomatillos, serrano peppers, onion, garlic, and fresh cilantro. The chicharrón absorbs the flavorful green sauce while keeping a deliciously rich and savory taste.
This easy Mexican recipe is perfect for a hearty family lunch or dinner. Serve it with warm corn tortillas, Mexican rice, refried beans, and fresh avocado for a comforting traditional-style meal.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Difficulty: Easy
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Classic Mexican comfort food.
- Bright and tangy homemade salsa verde.
- Rich, savory chicharrón.
- Quick and easy to prepare.
- Perfect with warm tortillas.
- Uses simple Mexican ingredients.
How to Make
1. Prepare the Salsa Verde
Remove the husks from the tomatillos and rinse them well. Place tomatillos, serrano peppers, onion, and garlic in a saucepan and cover with water.
Simmer for 7–8 minutes until the tomatillos become tender and change to a lighter green color.
2. Blend the Salsa
Drain the vegetables and transfer them to a blender. Add fresh cilantro and salt. Blend until smooth, adding a small amount of water if necessary.
3. Cook the Salsa
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in the salsa verde carefully and simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened and flavorful.
4. Add the Chicharrón
Break the chicharrón into medium-sized pieces and add them to the simmering salsa.
5. Simmer
Cook for 3–5 minutes, gently stirring, until the chicharrón softens slightly and absorbs the salsa.
6. Serve
Serve immediately with warm corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, avocado, and Mexican rice or refried beans.
Tips
- Choose fresh, crispy chicharrón for the best flavor.
- Don't simmer the pork rinds too long or they can become overly soft.
- Adjust the serrano peppers to control the heat.
- Taste the salsa before adding the chicharrón and adjust the salt.
- Serve immediately for the best balance of crisp and tender texture.
Variations
Chicharrón en Salsa Roja
Replace the tomatillos with tomatoes and use dried red chiles for a rich red sauce.
Spicy Chicharrón
Add extra serrano peppers or a few árbol chiles to the salsa verde.
Chicharrón with Potatoes
Add cooked diced potatoes to make the dish more substantial.
Creamy Salsa Verde
Stir in a small amount of Mexican crema for a creamy variation.
What to Serve
- Warm corn tortillas
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Fresh avocado
- Pickled onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Mexican salsa
- Lime wedges
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended because the chicharrón can develop an unpleasant texture after thawing.
For the best results, prepare the salsa verde ahead and add fresh chicharrón when reheating.
Ingredients
For the Salsa Verde
For the Chicharrón
For Serving
Instructions
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Simmer tomatillos, serrano peppers, onion, and garlic for 7–8 minutes until tender.
-
Blend the cooked vegetables with cilantro and salt until smooth.
-
Heat oil in a skillet and simmer the salsa verde for 5–7 minutes.
-
Add the chicharrón pieces to the salsa.
-
Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes until the chicharrón absorbs the sauce.
-
Serve immediately with warm tortillas, avocado, cilantro, and lime.
