Authentic Salsa Verde Pulled Pork: A Tender, Tangy, and Spicy Mexican Delight

Indulge in the rich flavors of this Salsa Verde Pulled Pork, featuring succulent, juicy shredded pork bathed in a vibrant, zesty, and perfectly spiced salsa verde. Crafted from fresh jalapeños, ripe tomatoes, and tangy tomatillos, this authentic Mexican recipe is a true culinary gem—easy to prepare, bursting with flavor, and ideal for any meal or special occasion.

There’s a special place in my heart for traditional Mexican Shredded Pork. It’s a culinary foundation, a gift that keeps on giving, transforming into countless delicious meals that evoke childhood memories. From hearty classics like Chile Colorado with Pork to effortless weekday favorites such as Shredded Pork with Avocado Burritos, the versatility of tender, flavorful pulled pork is simply unmatched. It’s the kind of staple that makes weeknight dinners exciting and special occasions feel authentically festive.

Today, I’m thrilled to share another cherished family recipe: my mom’s exquisite way of preparing this succulent pork, combined with a vibrant homemade salsa verde. This dish brings together the irresistible tenderness of perfectly cooked shredded pork with a bright, tangy, and subtly spicy salsa. Made with only the freshest ingredients, this recipe isn’t just delicious; it’s a wholesome and nourishing meal that satisfies both body and soul.

The beauty of this Salsa Verde Pulled Pork lies not only in its incredible depth of flavor but also in its surprising simplicity. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or just starting your culinary journey, you’ll find this recipe straightforward and rewarding. Let’s dive in and discover how easily you can create this authentic Mexican masterpiece!

Why You’ll Love This Authentic Mexican Pulled Pork

• Bursting with Fresh Flavors: The heart of this dish is its lively salsa verde. Made with plump, fresh tomatillos, ripe Roma tomatoes, and spicy jalapeños, the sauce creates a truly vibrant and tangy base that brightens every bite. You’ll taste the difference that garden-fresh ingredients make, elevating a simple meal into something extraordinary.
• Incredibly Flavorful: The magic happens when the tender, seasoned shredded pork mingles with the zesty salsa. This combination results in a rich, deeply satisfying, and complex flavor profile that will have your taste buds dancing. It’s a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and a touch of heat, making it an absolutely amazing dish that pleases everyone.
• Surprisingly Easy to Make: Don’t let the authentic flavors intimidate you. This recipe comes together with remarkable ease, especially if you prepare the shredded pork in advance using an Instant Pot or slow cooker. The hands-on time for the salsa is minimal, making this a fantastic option for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend cooking.
• Remarkably Versatile: While it shines as a show-stopping main course, this Salsa Verde Pulled Pork is incredibly adaptable. Serve it simply with warm tortillas, or get creative! It’s perfect for filling tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or even as a flavorful topping for nachos. You can also enjoy it for breakfast alongside fried or scrambled eggs, proving its endless possibilities.
• Wholesome and Nourishing: Beyond its delicious taste, this dish is a well-rounded and nutritious meal. Packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables, it’s a wholesome choice for your family. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and Whole30 compatible (when using compatible broth), fitting into various dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.

Essential Ingredients for Salsa Verde Pulled Pork

Crafting the perfect Salsa Verde Pulled Pork starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that authentic, unforgettable flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and some tips for selection and substitutions:

• Shredded Pork: The foundation of this dish is, of course, the incredibly tender and juicy shredded pork. I highly recommend using my recipe for Mexican Shredded Pork, which provides detailed instructions for both Instant Pot and slow cooker methods. This ensures your pork is perfectly seasoned and fall-apart tender, creating the ideal canvas for the tangy salsa verde. Preparing the pork ahead of time significantly speeds up the cooking process for this recipe.
• Jalapeños: These peppers provide the characteristic heat and a touch of fruitiness to the salsa. When selecting jalapeños, look for ones that are firm, smooth, and have a shiny, unblemished skin. For those who crave extra spice, you can easily swap one or two of the jalapeños for serrano peppers, which are significantly hotter, or leave the seeds and veins in the jalapeños for more kick.
• Tomatillos: The secret to an authentic salsa verde, tomatillos are essential for that signature tangy, slightly acidic flavor. Choose tomatillos that are firm to the touch, with a vibrant dark green color. Ensure their papery husks are tightly wrapped and show no signs of wrinkling or damage. The brighter the green, the fresher and tangier they tend to be.
• Tomatoes: While tomatillos bring the tang, tomatoes are crucial for balancing the acidity and adding a touch of sweetness, contributing to a more complex and well-rounded salsa verde. I prefer using Roma tomatoes (also known as plum tomatoes) because of their firm flesh and lower water content. Look for ripe, deep red, plump, and firm tomatoes without any soft spots or blemishes.
• Broth: To enhance the richness of the salsa, use either broth from your cooked shredded pork (if available) or a good quality chicken broth. The pork broth adds an extra layer of savory depth. If you’re adhering to a Whole30 diet, be sure to select a compatible broth that is free from added sugars, grains, or sulfites.
• Water: A small amount of water is used to help blend all the salsa ingredients smoothly, ensuring the right consistency without diluting the vibrant flavors. It helps achieve that perfect pourable yet thick sauce texture.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are a non-negotiable in Mexican cuisine, providing a foundational aromatic base that elevates the entire dish. A couple of small cloves will infuse the salsa with a warm, pungent flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
• Ground Cumin: Cumin is a powerful spice that adds an earthy, warm, and slightly smoky depth. It’s important to use it sparingly; just a quarter teaspoon is enough to round out the flavors of the salsa without overpowering the fresh ingredients, creating a subtle yet essential aroma.
• Oil: A touch of cooking oil is used to sauté the blended salsa. This crucial step not only helps to thicken the sauce but also “cooks” the flavors together, eliminating any raw taste from the vegetables and allowing the spices to bloom. Use a neutral-flavored oil like avocado or vegetable oil.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning, these staples allow you to adjust the final taste of your salsa verde to perfection. Always taste and adjust as you go, ensuring the flavors are balanced to your preference.

Refer to the recipe card below for precise quantities.

Creating this flavorful Salsa Verde Pulled Pork is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps for a truly authentic Mexican experience:

1. Prepare the Shredded Pork

• Begin by cooking and shredding your pork. For optimal flavor and tenderness, I highly recommend using my detailed recipe for Mexican Shredded Pork, which offers instructions for both Instant Pot and slow cooker methods.
• To significantly speed up your meal prep, cook the pork the night before or first thing in the morning. You’ll need approximately 3-4 cups of perfectly cooked, juicy shredded pork for this salsa verde.

2. Cook the Vegetables for the Salsa

• Fill a medium pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat.
• Carefully add the jalapeños, tomatillos, and Roma tomatoes to the boiling water. Boil them until the tomatillos and tomatoes become tender when pierced with a fork, but be sure they don’t disintegrate. This process typically takes about 5 minutes for the jalapeños alone, and then an additional 8 minutes once the tomatillos and tomatoes are added. Boiling helps to mellow their raw flavors and softens them for blending.

3. Blend the Salsa Verde

• Once the vegetables are cooked, carefully transfer the jalapeños, tomatoes, and tomatillos (skins and all, as they add flavor and texture) into a blender or food processor.
• Add the remaining salsa ingredients: the savory pork broth (or chicken broth), fresh water, peeled garlic cloves, salt, a hint of ground cumin, and black pepper.
• Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform. This creates the signature vibrant green and creamy texture of the salsa verde.

4. Simmer the Sauce and Combine with Pork

• In a large saucepan or medium pot, heat two tablespoons of oil over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully pour the blended salsa verde into the hot oil.
• Bring the salsa to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Continue to simmer on medium-low heat. This crucial step deepens the flavors and helps the sauce thicken. You’ll know it’s ready when a light brown foam starts to develop on the surface of the sauce, indicating that the flavors have melded beautifully.
• Once the salsa has simmered and the foam appears, add your prepared shredded pork. Mix thoroughly, ensuring the pork is completely coated and incorporated into the rich salsa. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the pork to absorb the delicious flavors of the sauce.
• Taste the dish and adjust the salt and pepper as needed to suit your personal preference.
• Your authentic Salsa Verde Pulled Pork is now ready to be served and enjoyed!

How to Serve This Versatile Dish

This Salsa Verde Pulled Pork is wonderfully versatile and can be enjoyed in countless ways. A simple bowl with warm corn or flour tortillas, perhaps topped with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, is always a fantastic starting point. But don’t stop there! Explore these delicious serving suggestions:

• Classic Mexican Sides: Pair it with a generous side of creamy Refried Beans and fluffy Arroz Rojo (Mexican Red Rice) or light and flavorful Mexican White Rice with Corn for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Creative Fillings: Use it as a mouthwatering filling for your next batch of tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or even as a hearty topping for crunchy nachos. It adds incredible flavor and moisture to any of these options.
• Comfort Food Twist: For a surprisingly delicious combination, spoon this tender pork over a warm, fluffy baked potato. The tangy salsa and savory pork create an unexpected yet delightful pairing. Alternatively, serve it with a side of creamy Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes for a truly comforting meal.
• Breakfast Power-Up: Don’t limit this dish to lunch or dinner! It makes for an incredibly flavorful breakfast. Serve it alongside fried or scrambled eggs, or incorporate it into a savory papas con huevo (potato and egg scramble) for a Mexican-inspired start to your day.

Storage and Reheating Tips

This Salsa Verde Pulled Pork is excellent for meal prep and leftovers! Store any uneaten portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often deepen and improve overnight, making it even more delicious the next day. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 4 months without losing its quality.

To reheat, simply transfer the desired amount to a small pot and warm it gently over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until it’s steaming hot. Alternatively, you can microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in short intervals and stirring until thoroughly warmed through.

Expert Tips & Delicious Variations

• Adjust Consistency: If you find the salsa a bit too thick for your liking, you can always thin it out with a splash more broth or water until you reach your desired consistency. Conversely, if you desire a more generous amount of sauce, feel free to double the salsa recipe while keeping the pork quantity at 3-4 cups. This ensures plenty of luscious sauce for every serving.
• Tailor the Spice Level: Personalize the heat to your preference! For a milder salsa, simply remove the seeds and white veins from the jalapeños before boiling, or use only one or two jalapeños. If you crave a spicier kick, replace one or two of the jalapeños with fiery serrano peppers, or leave some of the jalapeño seeds in for an extra punch.
• Explore Different Meats: While pork is traditional and highly recommended, this incredible salsa verde pairs wonderfully with other shredded meats. You can easily substitute shredded beef; my recipe for Instant Pot Shredded Beef (which also includes slow cooker directions) is a perfect match. Shredded chicken also works beautifully, offering a lighter alternative without compromising on flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pre-cooked or leftover pork for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using pre-cooked or leftover shredded pork is an excellent way to make this recipe even quicker and more convenient. It’s a fantastic way to repurpose previous meals. Just be sure to taste the pork first and adjust any seasonings in the salsa accordingly, taking into account any existing flavors in your pre-cooked meat.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is perfect for making ahead! You can prepare the entire dish in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This makes it an ideal option for meal prepping throughout the week, as the flavors tend to deepen beautifully over time.

What is the best type of pork for pulled pork?

For the most tender, moist, and flavorful pulled pork, pork shoulder (often sold as “pork butt” or “Boston butt”) or country-style pork ribs are your best choices. These cuts have a good amount of fat and connective tissue that break down beautifully during slow cooking, whether in an Instant Pot or a slow cooker. This results in incredibly juicy, fall-apart tender shredded pork that holds up wonderfully in the salsa verde.

I truly hope you enjoy making and savoring this authentic Salsa Verde Pulled Pork as much as I do! If you try this recipe, please leave me a commentwith a star rating below—your feedback is greatly appreciated. Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to stay connected and discover more delicious recipes. Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive updates and culinary inspiration.

Recipe

Originally published March 19, 2021. Updated post and photos October 2023.