Classic Green Chile Stew Recipe

2022-11-07

By Southwestern Cook

American Cuisine

Main Course

Green Chile Stew is a classic New Mexican dish, perfect for a heartwarming meal. This easy recipe features tender pork, spicy green chiles, and hearty potatoes in a savory broth. 

Spice Up 

The dish is a spicy broth-based stew made with pork, green chiles, and other ingredients.

A Testimony to New Mexico's Love for Chiles and Pork

American cuisine main course that originated in the southwestern United States, particularly in New Mexico. New Mexico has a long history of using chiles in its cuisine, as the region has a favorable climate for growing chile peppers. The state is also known for its ranching heritage, which led to the use of pork in Green Chile Stew. 

Green Chiles

Green Chile Stew typically includes cubed pork, chunks of potatoes, onions, garlic, and a variety of green chiles, such as Hatch chiles, Anaheim chiles, or poblano peppers. 

The Perfect Meal for Your Next Family Dinner

The stew is often cooked low and slow, allowing the flavors to meld together and the pork to become tender. The stew may also include other traditional southwestern ingredients, such as cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. 

A Southwestern Classic

It is typically served with warm tortillas or bread for dipping, and may be topped with cheese or a dollop of sour cream.

Pitfalls on Green Chile Stew

 Choosing the Right Ingredients: Choosing the right ingredients is essential for making a delicious Green Chile Stew. It's crucial to select ripe and flavorful green chiles, fresh vegetables, and high-quality meat or beans. Use seasonal vegetables that are locally sourced whenever possible.

 Prepping the Ingredients: Prepping the ingredients correctly can be time-consuming but is essential for achieving a great flavor. Roasting the green chiles over an open flame or under the oven broiler helps to remove the skin and adds a smoky flavor. Chopping the vegetables into small, uniform pieces ensures that they cook evenly and add a balanced flavor to the stew. 

 Creating the Base: Creating the base of the stew is where the flavors come together. The base typically includes onions, garlic, and a collection of herbs and spices. It's essential to balance the seasonings carefully to complement the green chiles' heat without overpowering the other ingredients.

 Cooking: Cooking Green Chile Stew can be a challenge as it's a thick and hearty stew that requires time to cook correctly. It's essential to stir the pot often to prevent burning and sticking to the bottom. Adding the meat or beans at the right time is crucial for tender, well-cooked meat and perfectly cooked beans.

 Serving: Serving Green Chile Stew can be a challenge as it's a thick stew that needs to be served hot. It's essential to serve Green Chile Stew immediately after cooking to ensure the best flavors and textures. Serve with a squeeze of lime juice, fresh cilantro, and warm tortillas or crusty bread to soak up the broth.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pork shoulder, cubed

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 1 onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 green bell peppers, chopped

• 2 cups roasted, peeled, and chopped green chiles

• 2 cups cubed potatoes

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 2 cups chicken broth

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Fresh cilantro, for serving

• Corn tortillas, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pork shoulder and cook until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.

2. Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot and sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

3. Add the chopped green bell peppers, roasted green chiles, cubed potatoes, ground cumin, and chicken broth to the pot and stir everything together.

4. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for about 45 minutes, until the pork is fully cooked and tender and the potatoes are completely tender.

5. Season the stew to taste with salt and black pepper.

6. Serve the Green Chile Stew hot, topped with fresh cilantro and with corn tortillas on the side.

Preparation Time 15 min

Cook Time 1 hour

Total time 1 hour and 15 min

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 300

Fat: 10 g

Saturated Fat: 3 g

Carbohydrates: 20 g

Fiber: 3 g

Sugar: 5 g

Protein: 30 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Green Chile Stew

New Mexico, they may use roasted Hatch green chiles and add potatoes, tomatoes, and pork shoulder to the stew, giving it a spicy and hearty taste. This version of Green Chile Stew is known as "New Mexico-style Green Chile Stew."

Colorado, they may add corn and ground beef to the stew, giving it a slightly sweet and meaty taste. This version of Green Chile Stew is known as "Colorado-style Green Chile Stew."

Arizona, they may add beans and beef to the stew, giving it a southwestern and protein-rich taste. This version of Green Chile Stew is known as "Arizona-style Green Chile Stew."

Texas, they may add cumin and diced beef to the stew, giving it a bold and meaty taste. This version of Green Chile Stew is known as "Texas-style Green Chile Stew."

California, they may add avocado and lime juice to the stew, giving it a fresh and tangy taste. This version of Green Chile Stew is known as "California-style Green Chile Stew."

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