During December and January the Costco in my area usually sells 5 pound bags of fresh posole – corn soaking in slaked lime water. Every year, I buy a bag, make a couple of posole dishes, then divide the rest into freezer bags and freeze. One of this year’s dishes was this hearty bowl of Posole with chorizo, mushrooms and chard. It’s a bit lighter than the traditional posole stew made in New Mexico which is mostly posole, pork and red or green chile. With this soup, the posole is just one of several vegetables and the chorizo is used more to add flavor than to add bulk.
For a vegetarian version, just omit the chorizo. The remaining ingredients provide plenty of flavor to make this a delicious meatless meal.
What is Posole?
Is it a stew or is it a corn product? Actually, in New Mexico, it’s both. Posole stew is a relatively filling and delicious soup made with posole, meat and chile. The meat is usually pork, chicken, or turkey. The bulk of the stew is the corn product, also called “posole (aka hominy)”, which is corn boiled and soaked in slaked lime water (cal). This process (called nixtamalization) improves the nutritional value of the corn as well as its flavor and size. Here in New Mexico you can buy bags of dried posole at most of our local grocery stores. Some stores carry frozen posole in the freezer section. And then of course, you can buy the canned version called hominy. Personally, I prefer the flavor and texture of fresh, frozen or dried posole over canned hominy; however, if I only had access to canned hominy, it wouldn’t stop me from making this soup or any other dish in which I use posole, including the stew called posole. (Be sure to check out the links at the bottom of this post for more information about “posole” and recipes for the stew called Posole.)
Posole with Chorizo and Mushrooms
“*” See Kitchen Notes for more information or links to special ingredients.
Prep and Cook time varies. For fresh or frozen posole, allow 2 hours. If you use canned hominy, allow 45 minutes.
- 2 cups fresh or frozen posole, rinsed or 3 cups canned hominy, drained, or 1 cup dried posole (See Kitchen Notes)
- 6 to 8 cups water and chicken stock
- 1/2 pound Mexican chorizo*, crumbled
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- ½ pound button mushrooms, chopped or sliced
- 1 bunch Swiss chard, stems removed (toss or compost), leaves chopped
- 1 tsp. red chile powder
- ½ tsp. smoked chile powder (serrano, chipotle, paprika)
- ½ tsp. cumin coriander spice mix*
- 1 tsp. Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of ½ lime plus 4 lime wedges
If using fresh or frozen posole, add 1 – 2 Tbsp. olive to the pot over medium low. When hot, add the onion and cook until translucent.
Add 6 cups water/stock to a soup pot and bring to a boil. Add the posole, garlic, chile powders, oregano, and cumin/coriander mix. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for an hour or longer until just tender.
In another skillet saute the chorizo quickly on high heat until browned (a couple of minutes). Add to the soup pot after the posole has cooked for an hour. (go to “Finishing Instructions”)
- If using canned hominy, brown the chorizo in a soup pot for 2 minutes on medium.
- Reduce to medium low, add the onion and saute’ for 2 minutes.
- Add the hominy and 6 cups water/stock and bring to a boil.
- Add the garlic, chile powders, oregano, and cumin/coriander mix.
- Add the sliced mushrooms.
- Reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Add additional water or stock as needed.
- Add the Swiss chard. Taste and season with salt as needed.
- Simmer for another 10 minutes or until the posole and chard are tender.
- Stir in the lime juice and serve. Squeeze a wedge of lime over each serving.
- Serve with warm tortillas.
Top with any or all of the following: chopped cilantro, sliced radish, queso fresco or cotija cheese, chopped scallion, red chile or salsa, avocado, additional lime.
Posole – In Mexican markets and most groceries in New Mexico, you can find frozen, dry, and sometimes, fresh posole. A pound of fresh or frozen posole yields a little over 3 cups of cooked posole; whereas, a pound of dried posole yields about 6 cups of cooked posole. Frozen and fresh posole are cooked using like methods (the method used in this recipe). Dried posole needs to be soaked overnight and then pre-cooked for at least 2 hours before adding additional ingredients.
Hominy – As previously mentioned, you can also substitute the posole with canned hominy. Since canned hominy is already cooked, using it eliminates that initial hour of cooking for fresh/frozen posole; therefore, allowing this soup to be made in less than 45 minutes!
Water and Stock – The amount given in the posole with chorizo recipe is not exact because, as posole cooks, it absorbs quite a bit of water and some of the water evaporates. So just keep adding water and/or stock as needed to achieve a “soup” consistency. If you use hominy, 6 cups is probably all you need. As far as how much of which, use what you have or want to use. I normally use a ratio of 1:1 (water:stock).
Mushrooms – Button mushrooms, baby bellas or white, work best because of their meaty texture. Cut the mushrooms in small wedges or slices, your preference.
Swiss Chard – Kale or spinach can be used in place of Swiss chard. Other greens might be too strong in flavor and end up competing with the other flavors in the stew.
Smoked Chile Powder – As mentioned, any smoked chile powder works (e.g., chipotle, smoked paprika, serrano). Just be aware of the heat level. Chipotle and serrano can be pretty hot, so you might need to adjust the amount used for your heat tolerance.
Vegetarian Version – Omit the chorizo.
To serve a crowd – Make the vegetarian version, then provide bowls of topping with a selection of ingredients: cooked chorizo or smoked pulled pork, cilantro, thin slices of radishes, feta, cotija or queso fresco, red or green chile.
If you love posole as much as I do, then you’ll love these other posoles.
Spicie Foodie’s Red Chicken Pozole
Barefeet in The Kitchen’s New Mexican Posole
If you want to purchase dry or frozen posole online, check out some of these Sources of New Mexico Chile Products.
I made this with 6 dried ancho chilis instead of chili powder, green cabbage instead of chard, and added leftover smoked pulled pork (no BBQ sauce, just the meat). Also had to substitute the toasted spice mix with ground cumin and fresh coriander, but it was absolutely delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
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I made this tonight and it was excellent. Although I like most things made from hominy, I have never liked hominy. I was apprehensive, but it turned out very good. I didn’t have all of the ingredients, so I had to fudge a bit. I made the chorizo yesterday, according to your recipe. I used canned hominy, which is all I can find around here. I didn’t have any greens, so I left them out and I only used four cups of broth. I served it with fry bread and the whole mess was cooked over a wood fire in the backyard. I’m still working on the fry bread, but it’s getting closer to what I had in Arizona.
Thanks for posting this recipe, it’s something that I will definitely be having again.
Bill, thanks!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and really appreciate your letting me know that you made it! That is so cool that you cooked everything on a wood fire. What fun! Love it that you made fry bread. Bet that was awesome with or without the posole!
I built a double grill out of stacked bricks so that I can have a hot cooking fire and a cooler simmering fire at the same time. This is a simple rectangular shape with an open front and a brick divider about two thirds of the way. I put the wood into the smaller hot fire box and shovel the hot coals into the larger simmering fire box. By piling the coals to one side, I can vary the temperature by moving the pot. I use a flat bottom cast iron dutch oven to cook the posole and a deep cast iron frying pan for the fry bread. While the posole is simmering, I can sit there and knead the fry bread dough. The best recipe that I have found uses two cups of bread flour, one teaspoon of salt, one tablespoon of baking powder and one third cup of nonfat dry milk. It takes about seven ounces of water to make the dough, which is kneaded until it loses its stickiness and can be formed into small balls, about the size of a biscuit. The balls are then formed into thin disks which are cooked about fifteen seconds each side in smoking hot oil. Lard is traditional, but I have been using Canola oil. The texture of the finished bread works very well with soups and stews.
That’s one hell of a grill Bill!! Send me a picture when you get a chance. Of course it will make Bobby quite jealous, but also might inspire. 🙂 Thanks for your process for making fry bread. I’ve never made it before but have certainly bought my share of Indian Tacos. 🙂 Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
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Pasole is new to me! I wonder if California costco carries it… maybe not. We have nori seed and all kinds of Asian stuff in Costco, but I doubt other costco carries such a large selection of Asian food… Anyway, I’d love to taste this. It looks and sounds wonderful.
I love posole! This recipe looks wonderful. I’ve been trying to come up with a recipe for a vegetarian one I like and want to model it after yours . You’ve included such a nice array of vegetables!
I tried posole in Arizona, I remember I liked it for sure. I need to make some someday for sure! It is not as easy finding all the ingredients here in NC, but this determined girl will succeed! Your recipe looks amazing! Hugs, Terra
Thanks so much Terra! I’m sure posole is difficult to find in NC, but there’s always online! 🙂
I’ve heard of Posole but I didn’t understand what it was – or that it was the same thing as Hominy. I really enjoyed reading this post, MJ. I learned a lot! Your Chorizo Mushroom and Posole Soup looks really comforting and delicious. I’ve pinned both it and your Corn Chowder to my soups board on Pinterest. Thank you for sharing them with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.
Thanks so much April!!! I didn’t know about posole either until I moved to New Mexico. Growing up I really disliked hominy, thought it was bland and wasn’t too crazy about the texture. Once I tried posole, I’ve never had to buy hominy again. 🙂 However, I do know that it works as a good substitute in several posole dish because I’ve had dishes like a green chile stew with posole that was quite delicious. Also, my sister made this soup with hominy the other night and said it was delicious. So don’t hesitate to just use hominy! Thanks for pinning!
Okay my mouth is officially watering uncontrollably. Amazing recipe, we have yet to try mushrooms and chard but will be very soon. thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much John!! The mushrooms and chard were a great addition to this posole. You’ll love the heat! 🙂
Delicious chorizo mushroom Soup Love it Mj.
Thanks so much Swathi!
This looks very appetizing as I love soup but I don’t think I can buy Posole here. What can you suggest as a substitute?
Thanks Peachy! If you can find canned hominy, that works, but then you could also just substitute corn. It’s not quite the same, but it would still be good.
Posole is new to me. The stew looks like something I would love in this cold rainy Monday.
Angie
Thanks Angie! It’s perfect for cold rainy days. Wish we had a few of those. 🙂
Wow, you’re always a fount of new things for me MJ – today I learned about “posole”… I’ve never heard of this in my entire life before… although maybe it’s called something else here – that’s always a possibility. Also “slaked in lime water” – that certain sounds… interesting! 😀
Thanks so much Charles! It’s nice living in a place with some unique, delicious ingredients to cook with.:) The nixtamalization process is a process that has been used since the 1200’s!! The corn used for tortillas goes through this process as well. It’s quite interesting. Glad I could turn you on to something new. 🙂
Your soup looks amazing! I wonder if we can find any version of posole around here besides canned hominy? I’ll have to start my hunt 🙂
Thanks Liz! Good luck on your hunt! 🙂
I know you will share in my joy at knowing that Costco will be opening a store soon about an hour south of me. I know.. I couldn’t believe it either but yes, it’s true. The store is built and they are now hiring. I wonder if they’ll sell posole? I expect not but a woman can hope. 🙂
This looks like a delicious soup!
WooHoo!!!! You’re going to love Costco!! I’d be really surprised if they sold posole, but let me know if they do. 🙂 Thanks Maureen and hope you’re having a great weekend.
Posole looks a bit like green gram dal….the soup sure is perfect for the weather….love your pics!!
Thanks so much Nisa!! After looking up green gram dal I can honestly say that taste and texture wise, the two are very different.
This looks a warm and comforting soup and with the spices and chile its right up my alley 🙂 Need some right now in this freezing cold.
Thanks Soni! This definitely would warm you up, especially with those spices. 🙂
This looks like an incredible comfort dish, MJ.
Oh it is! Thanks Viviane!
At a glace, the posole looks similar to our green gram also we cooked them the same way you did. Love the spice combo you added to this soup. Regarding my coconut cake, I have used orange colored sugar instead of white one.
Thanks TaT! I had to look up green gram and now that I know it’s mung beans, I can say that the two are very different. I love Ray’s comment below that “posole is like corn on steroids”. 🙂 Thanks for the information on your Coconut Cake. I was wondering. 🙂
This sounds so delicious! I’ve never had Mexican chorizo, but I’m guessing it’s really full of flavor. I have got to try this soon. I love your recipes!
Thanks so much Jodee! Mexican chorizo is very different from Spanish. For one thing, it’s not cooked or smoked but it still have all of the spices and flavor of Spanish.
You have made me travel far far away once more. No chance I could get posole here, but, you know, reading your posts is such a pleasure I almost feel as if I’ve just had a bowl of this thick gorgeous soup. I buy chorizo very often but never tried putting into a soup. It sounds like an excellent idea.
Thanks so much Sissi!!! Can you find canned hominy in your part of the world? I know that posole is quite regional (the SW US and Mexico), but hominy is pretty widespread here in the U.S. Do you get Mexico chorizo or Spanish chorizo? I ask because a couple of years ago I picked up some Spanish chorizo for the first time and it was VERY different from Mexican chorizo. However, I think it still would work in this soup. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I will try to look for canned hominy (there is one US food shop in my city, but I always forget to go there… most of the food they sell are sweets, ready-to-use mixes, etc. but maybe they have hominy…).
Thank you for the tip.
I get of course Spanish chorizo 🙂 In what it was different from the Mexican one? There are two main kinds of Spanish chorizo (at least from what I saw): thick one (sliced finely, can be used for example in sandwiches) and a thin one (looking like a “standard” sausage, which can be eaten raw or cooked. I often fry it. They are both cured. (Of course I always choose the hot versions 😉
Thanks Sissi! There is quite a bit of difference between Spanish and Mexican chorizo. First of all, Mexican chorizo is not cured. When you buy it, it’s raw and needs to be cooked. Both are very spicy and both are seasoning with red chile powder, but I think the herbs and other seasonings are different. I have a homemade Mexican chorizo recipe on my site. Take a look at it and that would help to show you what’s in it. I always love both, and sometimes they are interchangeable, but sometimes not. Hope this helps.
I wish our Costco would carry this… how cool! I have actually never tried it, but the next time I see hominy in the store (canned), I am buying it to play around with it. 🙂 We are having frigid temperatures out here… soup is all I am craving these days and this looks hearty and comforting. 🙂
Thanks Ramona! I love the way Costco carries stuff relative to the area. Along with fresh posole, we also get fresh, unfrozen, traditional pork tamales and green chile chicken tamales. Another great comfort food for our area. 🙂
It sounds delicious! I love that you added extra vegetables 🙂
Thanks Joyti! All those veggies were really nice with the posole.
THIS IS DEEEELICIOUS!!!!!!!!! As I said I would, I made this for dinner tonight. Since I only had a small piece of chorizo, I used part chorizo and part braised pork butt. Instead of chard I used spinach. I cut back to a pinch of the smoked serrano pepper chili powder because I find it to be really hot and Brynn is allergic to red pepper (She took a Benadryl before she ate). I served it with warm tortillas to soak of the broth. By the end of the meal, each of us had reached for an extra scoop. It was so very good! This will indeed be a repeat. Excellent job MJ!!!
Well, you just made my week!!!! I’m so glad that you all enjoyed it! Sorry Brynn had to take a pill to eat it, but she really must have liked it to do so. 🙂 Love the idea of using pork butt with the chorizo. I’m sure using it in place of chorizo would work as well. yep – warm tortillas are a must!!! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out Darlin! XOXOXO
Hominy is new to me but I always learn from your wonderful posts 😀
Delicious soup!
Cheers
CCU
Thanks Uru! So glad I could introduce you to a new ingredient!
Well MJ that was very educational because I knew posole was related to corn but never dared to ask the question. Very interesting and not sure I ever saw any here, even in a can. But the soup does look amazing and filling. Wish I could have a bowl now.
Thanks Evelyne! I’m glad I could introduce you to a new ingredient. How you get to try it some day.
I am sure I could find fresh posole locally if I widened by shopping horizons. I just open a can of hominy and proceed with the recipe. After reading your review I must find some as I can’t wait to taste the difference!
Thanks Deb! If you like hominy, then you definitely need to try posole. For me there is a big difference in a very tasty way. 🙂 You can order it online if you can’t find it in your area.
This soup looks delicious.. Droolworthy.. The addition of chorizo makes it more flavourful.. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Thanks for much Gloria! Oh yes, the chorizo definitely adds a nice bite.
Love those chunky pieces of corn as I call them corn in steroids, LOL! Your version of this delicious soup is making me drool and with the chorizo. . . oh boy! Thank you for another mouthwatering dish my friend. 🙂
LOL I love that “corn on steroids”! Great description for posole. Thanks for your wonderful comments Ray!
Love, love, love hearty and satisfying soups! It takes the chill off like little else and your Posole looks delicious! Thanks for another great recipe to try, MJ.
Thank you Judy!!! Looks like I’ll be making another soup tomorrow with the cold front that’s moving in. 🙂
LOL, here we go again thinking alike. I just bought a big can of hominy and cooked a pork butt to use the leftover bits and pieces for posole two days ago and was going to make it tonight for dinner! Posole is the only way Jim will eat hominy. This sounds so good! They may like it better than my traditional. I only have one link of chorizo so maybe I could combine the pork and chorizo? I have plenty of mushrooms and spinach and all those new chili powders from Season With Spice. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Yum, can’t wait.
Thanks so funny!!! I personally enjoy this soup better than a traditional posole because it isn’t near as heavy and the overall flavor was more complex, plus you get your vegetables in. 🙂 Have fun cooking today! Let me know how you like it.
Posole! What an interesting ingredient, MJ…I remember mom freezing fresh corn kernel the same way (minus lime water) during winter season. How wonderful to know different ways of cooking with corn.
Thanks Sanjeeta! Right now my freezer has several bags of frozen corn from this summer and now a few bags of frozen posole from Costco. I guess one could say I love corn. 🙂
Never heard of hominy or posole and I always find it so intriguing when I am left wondering how that must be tasting. The soup looks comforting and I am sure it tasted great. It is always nice coming to your blog and learning about a new ingredient/dish. 🙂
Thanks so much Darlin! I wish I could describe the flavor to you but I can’t think of another “taste” that is similar. Even though posole is a corn product, it really doesn’t taste like corn. It’s very rustic, earthy and somewhat smokey in flavor with bit of lime. And yes, it does taste wonderful and your home smells great for a couple of days afterwards. 🙂
This is one of the ingredients I kept on hunting eversince I came here in NZ, hominy. We had this stuff back in the Philippines and now I am craving for them
Thanks Raymund! I bet it is hard to find in NZ. You can always find it online, but then the shipping costs might require the sell of your house first. 🙂
Posole has such wonderful flavor! I haven’t made any for ages, and really need to move it up on my big list of stuff I want to make! I really like the mushrooms in this — they look great and help add depth to the flavor, I’ll bet. I can find dried posole, but I have to look for it (not every store carries it). Never thought to look in the frozen section — I’ll do that. Really nice recipe — thank you.
Thanks so much John! If you can’t find the dried where you are, try The chile shop. I know you shop there at times and it used to sell dried posole. If not, check out some of the other chile suppliers I linked too. Chimayo Chile Brothers sell a blue corn posole which is quite interesting. 🙂
Here in the midwest, the only nixtamalized corn available locally is canned hominy. I have to admit that I have never been able to make any dish from canned hominy that has had a pleasing flavor. On the other hand, I have some dried blue corn posole that I have ground into grits. I have been making blue corn grits with green chiles and have found them to be excellent. My home ground grits are a bit coarser than store bought. I cook them in an old bean crock, which does a good job with little attention. My experience with the grits has made me want to try the blue corn posole in other dishes and this may be one that I try soon. I will probably use my home made chorizo.
Thanks so much for your comments Bill! I have always found a big difference between posole and canned hominy. Hominy just is lacking in flavor in comparison. Thank goodness I live in a place where the dried, frozen and fresh varieties are abundant. Koodoos for grinding your own grits!!! I bet they are delicious! I believe you can purchase blue corn posole from the Chimayo Chile Brothers and even frozen posole from Chile Monster. Hope you get to try this soup!
Although I am not a fan of posole, I love all the other ingredients in his dish. Great combo of flavors!
Thanks Debra! It’s interesting, I was never a fan of hominy until I had posole. Go figure. 🙂