Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) (2024)

Last modified: . Originally posted: By Sophia DeSantis

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This vegan pozole verde is made with veggies, spices and hominy, and uses jackfruit instead of chicken. A flavor, hearty version of the traditional recipe.

Posole is a filling soup filled with healthy ingredients and a perfect choice for a dinner the whole family will love.

Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) (1)
Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) (2)

This post was originally published on March 18, 2018.

This flavor of this vegan pozole verde recipe is based off of my homemade salsa verde. You can make this even quicker if you have the salsa premade, or even store bought for an extra simple and fast meal.

Ingredients

Pozole is one of those soups that just screams comfort. It's filling yet nutritious and isn't too labor intensive, making it the perfect weeknight family meal.

It also stores well and gets even better with time so you can prepare it in advance!

The flavor is unreal, and I love how easy you can customize it with all the toppings. Here is what you need for this vegan pozole verde recipe.

  • Onion- sweet or yellow onions are best, you can also use white onions if needed.
  • Tomatillos- also known as husk tomatoes, these tangy, tart, sweet, and citrusy fruit are essential to pozole verde.
  • Green chiles - poblano peppers and jalapeños add a nice heat, you can add even more spice with serrano peppers as well. Leave them out to make it extra mild.
  • Garlic - fresh garlic cloves will give you the best taste, but jarred minced garlic can be used as well.
  • Cilantro- this fresh herb adds so much bright flavor to the soup! Definitely don't skip it.
  • Dried oregano - a common herb in many dishes that originate from Mexico, this contributes to the overall flavor of the dish.
  • Hominy - you can usually find this in cans in the International aisle at most grocery stores.
  • Jackfruit- in order to replace the texture of the pork or chicken I use jackfruit. You can leave it out, or use artichokes, mushrooms, or any other meat substitute you prefer.
  • Vegetable broth- to keep this pozole vegan make sure to use vegetable broth. Choose low sodium if needed. If you eat meat, chicken broth can be used in its place.
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How To Make Pozole Verde

Just a few simple steps stand between you and this deliciously satisfying vegan soup recipe:

  1. Sauté the onion, tomatillos, peppers, and seasonings.
  2. Pulse the mixture in a blender to your desired consistency.
  3. Cook the hominy and jackfruit until slightly browned.
  4. Add the puréed tomatillo mixture and broth and simmer.
  5. Top and serve!
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Toppings for Pozole

One of the many great things about this soup is how customizable it is! I love to offer a wide variety of toppings for the family to dress up their own however they like. Serve with a dollop of Vegan Sour Cream or some of our other favorite toppings:

  • Red onion
  • Green onions
  • Jalapeno
  • Sliced radishes
  • Cabbage or spinach
  • Avocado
  • Tortilla chips or tortilla strips (most corn tortillas are gluten-free but double check!)
  • Pepitas
  • Lime wedges to squeeze on fresh!
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Preparation Tips

Here are a few suggestions that should help you out when making this healthy vegan pozole verde:

  • Your can of hominy may have salt in it. If so, do not add any salt until the end after you try it.
    • If you can't find any, corn or chickpeas would be a good substitute.
  • You can leave out the jackfruit but it's delicious with it and adds great texture since you brown it a bit.
  • Make up the tomatillo mixture beforehand to save some time when making the soup.
  • If you want an extra thick texture you can add some of the hominy to the blender when you are blending the tomatillo mixture.
  • To use a shortcut and make this super easy, you can sub 2 ½ cups of tomatillo based salsa instead of the onion, salt, tomatillos, peppers, garlic and cilantro.
    • Simply skip to the step where you brown the hominy and jackfruit, then add in the jarred salsa with the broth!

Storage and Freezing Tips

The great thing about pozole verde is that the flavor gets better with time! This makes this dish a great make ahead recipe.

  • Before storing the pozole allow it to cool first.
  • Keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • You can also freeze in airtight freezer safe containers for up to 3 months!
  • Reheat leftovers on the stovetop or in the microwave, garnish with toppings, and serve!

Common Questions

What is pozole verde made of?

The traditional Mexican soup is made with broth, pork or chicken, hominy, and chiles. This plant based version of pozole uses jackfruit instead of meat!

What can I substitute for hominy in pozole?

You can use corn or chickpeas as a substitute for hominy but it will change the flavor of your soup.

How do you spell posole?

The way to spell the name of this soup is "pozole".

What is the difference between pozole and posole?

Posole is simply another way that some people spell pozole, the words mean the same thing, a delicious broth based soup filled with hominy and chiles!

What is hominy?

It is dried corn that is processed to give cooked hominy a heartier bean like texture.

What is the difference between red and green pozole?

The green pozole, or pozole verde is made with green ingredients such as tomatillos, poblanos, cilantro, and jalapeños. Red pozole, AKA pozole rojo, is instead made with red peppers such as guajillo, piquin, or ancho peppers.

Is pozole healthy or unhealthy?

Pozole verde is considered a healthy meal. It's low calorie and packed with nutrients. You can also add more veggies as toppings to make it even healthier.

More Vegan Soup Recipes

Soups make the best family meals. They're easy, filling, healthy, and delicious! Here's some more family approved plant based soup recipes:

  • Thai Vegetable Coconut Curry Soup
  • Easy Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • Black Bean Soup Recipe
  • Incredible Vegan Tortilla Soup
Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) (14)

Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) (15)

Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe)

Sophia DeSantis

This vegan pozole verde is made with veggies, spices and hominy, and uses jackfruit instead of chicken. A flavor, hearty version of the traditional recipe.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 330 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sweet or yellow onion , chopped (see note)
  • ½ - 1 teaspoon sea salt , optional (see note)
  • Drizzle of oil or broth to sauté if oil-free
  • 1 pound tomatillos , peeled and chopped (see note)
  • 2 poblano peppers , seeded and chopped (see note)
  • 1 jalapeno , seeded and chopped (see note)
  • 4 cloves garlic , minced (see note)
  • ¼ cup cilantro (see note)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 30 ounces hominy , canned
  • 14 ounces jackfruit , canned, rinsed and shredded (optional)
  • 4 cups veggie broth , low sodium if needed

To serve (optional):

Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Instructions

  • Sauté the onion, salt (if using) and oil or broth until the onions are soft and browning. About 5 minutes.

  • Add the tomatillos, peppers, garlic, cilantro and oregano and cook until the tomatillos have released their liquid and everything is beginning to brown. About 7-8 minutes.

  • Next, take the mixture and carefully put it in a blender, making sure not to get burned. Pulse to chop. Make it as smooth as you prefer.

  • Put hominy and jackfruit into the pot. Cook until browned a little, about 5 minutes.

  • Add the pureed tomatillo mixture back in the pot, then add in the broth.

  • Simmer for about 15 minutes until reduces a bit and thickens.

  • Serve with whatever toppings you prefer!

Notes

  • If you want to make this super easy, you can sub 2 ½ cups of tomatillo based salsa instead of the onion, salt, tomatillos, peppers, garlic and cilantro. Simply skip to the step where you brown the hominy and jackfruit, then add in the jarred salsa with the broth!
  • Your can of hominy may have salt in it. If so, do not add any salt until the end after you try it.
  • You can leave out the jackfruit but it's delicious with it and adds great texture since you brown it a bit.

Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 709mgPotassium: 931mgFiber: 11gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 564IUVitamin C: 82mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Steffanie

    This sounds promising, and I will definitely add in the jackfruit. I am not a fan of hominy though. Would corn and white beans be a decent substitution?

    Reply

    • Sophia DeSantis

      Hi Steffanie! Yes, I think that would be a great sub! Sounds delicious.

      Reply

  2. Samantha

    We loved it! Bright and fresh! Thanks for a new recipe! We served it with mexican rice and jicama.

    Reply

    • Sophia DeSantis

      Yay!! So happy you loved it!! I love the sides you used too!

      Reply

  3. Kimiko

    This was my first time making pozole, and my family LOVED it !! Easy to follow along and sooooo flavorful. I won't be ordering take out pozole anymore. Homemade here on out. The only thing I modified is I cooked my jackfruit separate and added crispy bits on top. That's just a preference though since I use it a lot.

    Reply

    • Sophia DeSantis

      I am so happy to hear Kimiko!! Thrilled you liked it!

      Reply

  4. Chelsee Lee

    What an interesting use for jack fruit

    Reply

Vegan Pozole (Posole Verde Recipe) (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 are the 3 types of pozole? ›

The three main types of pozole are blanco (white), verde (green) and rojo (red). Pozole blanco—"white pozole"—is the preparation without any additional green or red sauce.

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 is the difference between pozole verde and pozole rojo? ›

Pozole not only has a rojo and verde version but also a blanco (white) as well. The differences between the three are pretty simple: rojo uses dried chiles, verde uses fresh green chiles, and blanco omits chiles altogether.

Is hominy vegan friendly? ›

In conclusion, hominy can be considered a vegan-friendly food option. Its ingredients, consisting solely of dried maize kernels and an alkaline solution, do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.

What is a substitute 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.

What does pozole mean in English? ›

: a thick soup chiefly of Mexico and the U.S. Southwest made with pork, hominy, garlic, and chili.

Why do Mexicans eat pozole? ›

Both soups are also deeply emblematic of their cultures. The roots of pozole pre-date Spanish colonization, and the dish is said to have had ritual significance for the indigenous people of Mexico. Its principal ingredient, corn, was a sacred crop to the Aztecs and Mayans.

What makes pozole so good? ›

Simply put, it's a hearty pork stew made with hominy (dried corn that's treated with an alkali to give it a soft, chewy texture) and chilies. It's found on most menus at authentic Mexican restaurants, and it also trumps ho-hum chicken noodle soup in almost every possible four ways.

Is menudo or posole better? ›

Q1: Is posole or menudo healthier? Posole can be made a bit leaner than menudo thanks to the option of making it with chicken, but both dishes are full of vegetables and different groups of nutrients, so honestly, both soups are pretty healthy overall.

How long can you eat pozole? ›

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.

Why is menudo better than pozole? ›

The most significant difference lies in the protein. People who prefer leaner meats, such as chicken, usually opt for green pozole. Red pozole is served with pork, white pozole is made with beef, and menudo is made from beef tripe. The traditional soups don't have to include traditional meat cuts, however.

Is Mexican pozole unhealthy? ›

Overall pozole is a very healthy dish. However there are two things to keep in mind: Pozole can be high in cholesterol, depending on which protein is used.

What did Mexicans use to make pozole back then? ›

The main ingredient in Pozole is Hominy, which is made from corn. Due to the belief that humans were made by the corn gods, in Mexican Aztec history corn was considered a sacred plant. Therefore, the Aztecs and other Mesoamerican peoples cooked Pozole only on special occasions.

How many colors of pozole are there? ›

There are three main types of pozole, each named for the color of the soup: verde, rojo and blanco. Carrillo Arronte explains the differences between green, red and white pozole. Pozole Verde: for traditional green pozole, you must add fresh serrano chiles, tomatillos, fresh herbs and toasted pumpkin seeds.

What is pozole usually made of? ›

Traditional Mexican pozole is a rich, brothy soup made with pork, hominy, and red chilies. Pile your bowl with toppings like shredded cabbage, radishes, cilantro, lime, and avocado!

What is pozole 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.

What is pozole originally made of? ›

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.

Is hominy plant based? ›

Hominy is vegan. A vegan dietitian reviewed this note on hominy for Fig. Check if other ingredients are vegan with the free Fig app!

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