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    Home » Recipes » Pork » Asado de Puerco

    Asado de Puerco

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted December 17, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Asado de Puerco is made of FLAVORFUL pork cooked in a rich chile sauce. Cooked to perfection and off-the-charts delicious! 
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Asado de Puerco served on a decorative clay plate next to rice, beans, and nopales.

    Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with the National Pork Board. As always, all opinions are mine and mine alone.

    Asado de Puerco served on a decorative clay plate next to rice, beans, and nopales.

    Asado de Puerco … Just thinking about this dish transports me back to Northern Mexico.

    Images for large clay pots simmering and stewing.

    The aromas of the sauce are a true delight.

    No passport required. This dish is a quick trip to Northern Mexico in every tasty bite.

    I made this with my son a few weeks back. I love being able to share our traditional dishes with him. We have a lot of fun in the kitchen together. This is one of those dishes that brings me HOME.

    How to Make It

    A collage showing how to cook the pork in a stock pot.

    • Start by chopping down the pork loin into 1-inch pieces.
    • Add the bay leaves, onion, garlic, salt, and water.
    • Cook for 20 minutes covered.

    Some people will FRY the pork in lard instead of simmering it.

    I find the pork to be more tender this way. Either way is fine.

    The Name Game

    I’m calling this Asado de Puerco, but some people, depending on where you are from in Northern Mexico will call it Chile Colorado.

    This is a very popular dish to make during weddings, quinceaneras, the holidays, and special occasions.

    Pork is a very versatile protein. It highlights diverse flavors depending on how you chose to prepare it.

    More Mexican Pork Recipes


    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork
    Chuletas a la Mexicana
    Chile Verde
    Instant Pot Pork Pozole Verde

    All the ingredients for the sauce laid out on a wooden table.

    Northern Mexico is very mountainous. This is what causes variations in our recipes.

    You’ll see NO orange peel used in some versions of this dish, and instead, cloves and cinnamon are used.

    FYI: You will also need 1 cup of water to blend everything.

    A stock pot boiling with guajillo chiles and water.

    • Remove the stems and seeds from the dried chiles.
    • Place them in boiling water.
    • Let stand for 5 minutes, or until pliable.

    Turn the heat off and let them stand in the HOT water.

    If the chile is recently dried, it will not require a long time to rehydrate. Older chiles take longer in the hot water.

    By the way, this is how to rehydrate any dried chiles.

    A collage showing how to make the chile colorado sauce in a blender.

    • Add all the spices, rehydrated chiles, and water to a blender.

    • Blend until smooth.

    If you’ve never had this dish, you’re in for a real treat. This pork recipe delivers new and unique eating experiences.

    Pro Tip:

    For faster cooking, make the sauce ahead of time.

    It last frozen for up to 6 months. Simply thaw and use as normal.

    A collage showing how to add the red chile sauce to the pork in the stock pot.

    • After 20 minutes, remove the lid and let the pork cook uncovered until there is no liquid.
    • Strain the sauce into the pot.
    • Add a piece of the orange peel.
    • Cook for 10 minutes.

    Cooking Pork Temperature: Whole muscle pork cuts like pork chops, tenderloin, or pork loin roast are safe to eat at 145 degrees F.

    Asado de Puerco served on a decorative clay plate next to rice, beans, and nopales.

    What to serve with it?


    Corn Tortillas
    Arroz Blanco
    Refried Beans
    Ensalada de Nopales
    Papas con Rajas

    Asado de Puerco is the most tender and flavorful pork you’ve ever had in your life. The meat falls apart effortlessly… Oh yes!

    Serve with rice and beans and enjoy.

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    Asado de Puerco served on a decorative clay plate next to rice, beans, and nopales.

    Asado de Puerco

    Asado de Puerco is made of FLAVORFUL pork cooked in a rich chile sauce. Cooked to perfection and off-the-charts delicious! 
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American/ Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 564kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    For the Pork:

    • 5 lbs pork loin (chopped into 1-inch pieces)
    • 1 tbsp salt
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 1/2 onion
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 1 cup water

    For the Sauce:

    • 4 cups water (for rehydrating chiles)
    • 8 dried guajillo chiles
    • 2 dried ancho chiles
    • 1/4 onion
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1 cup water (to blend the sauce)
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp pepper
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp oregano
    • 1 tsp thyme
    • 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
    • 1 strip of orange peel
    • 2 cups water (for the blender)

    Instructions

    For the Pork:

    • Place diced pork, salt, bay leaves, onion, garlic, and water in a large stock pot.
    • Cook covered for 20 minutes.
    • Remove the lid and continue cooking until all the liquid has been absorbed.
    • About 20 minutes.
    • The pork will begin to crisp up.
    • Remove and discard the bay leaves, onion, and garlic.

    For the Sauce:

    • Boil 4 cups of water.
    • In the meantime, remove the stems, seeds, and veins from the dried chiles.
    • Place the dried chiles in the boiling water.
    • Cover and turn off the heat.
    • Let sit for 5-7 minutes, or until chiles are pliable.
    • Discard water.
    • Add the rehydrated chiles, onion, garlic, 1 cup water, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, thyme, and vinegar.
    • Blend the sauce.
    • Set aside until ready to use.
    • Once the pork is slightly brown, [lace a strainer above the stock pot.
    • Strain the sauce into the pot.
    • Add 2 cups of water into the blender.
    • Gently shake the blender with the water to get any remaining chile sauce.
    • Strain the liquid into the pot.
    • Add the orange peel.
    • Stir to combine.
    • Taste for salt. Add salt, if needed.
    • Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
    • Remove orange peel and serve.

    Notes

    Some people will fry the pork in lard instead of cooking in water. This recipe is a leaner version. Either method is fine. 
    How Long Does It Last? In the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 87g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 238mg | Sodium: 1768mg | Potassium: 1745mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4342IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Pork

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amber Myers

      December 17, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      I know I will love this. It sounds delicious. I know my kids will love it as well!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 23, 2022 at 11:05 am

        Hope you make this recipe soon. Very delicious.

        Reply
    2. Pam Wattenbarger

      December 17, 2020 at 1:57 pm

      Your dishes always look amazing. We have different recipes for asada but I haven’t tried this one yet!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:53 pm

        Thanks! So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    3. Ben

      December 17, 2020 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      Aww yeah. I could eat my weight in that! It seriously looks amazing. I can’t wait to make it.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:53 pm

        Hope you try it!

        Reply
    4. Monica Simpson

      December 17, 2020 at 4:34 pm

      I would love to try this. I am such a fan of authentic Mexican dishes.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:53 pm

        Hope you do. This recipe is amazing

        Reply
    5. Ciara

      December 17, 2020 at 4:56 pm

      Looks delicious! I am always looking to try new recipes from different countries!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:52 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it

        Reply
    6. Bri

      December 17, 2020 at 5:58 pm

      5 stars
      I am always looking for pork recipes! I made carnitas this week! I’ll try this next!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 17, 2022 at 1:15 pm

        Awesome! So glad you will try this recipe!

        Reply
    7. Nikki Wayne

      December 18, 2020 at 12:04 am

      5 stars
      Another great Mexican recipe to try. I’m sure this is would savory .

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:52 pm

        It really is! Hope you try it

        Reply
    8. Tammy

      December 18, 2020 at 8:04 am

      5 stars
      If it has pork in it, I’m going to love it!! This really looks good. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 17, 2022 at 12:01 pm

        Happy to hear you like it.

        Reply
    9. Beth

      December 18, 2020 at 9:04 am

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! I think most of my family would love this.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 16, 2022 at 3:17 pm

        Thank you! Hope you and your family like it.

        Reply
    10. Marysa

      December 18, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      This sounds like an awesome combination of flavors! I haven’t had this dish before, but I would like to give it a try.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:51 pm

        It’s amazing. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    11. Kita Bryant

      December 19, 2020 at 7:47 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this looks so delicious. I would really love to make this some night.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:50 pm

        Hope you try this recipe. It’s delicious!

        Reply
    12. Anosa Malanga

      December 21, 2020 at 1:52 am

      I remember I have eaten someting like this when I went to Mexico. Glad I came over your recipe. I missed this and now I can finally cook my own Asado.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 29, 2020 at 5:48 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it

        Reply
    13. James

      March 16, 2021 at 11:24 pm

      5 stars
      Even if the asado I made didn’t turn out as photogenic as yours, it was amazing! I also added a few of my fave spices and it still turned out great! Awesome recipe!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 30, 2021 at 1:46 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    14. Odaliz

      November 2, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious 😋

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        November 3, 2022 at 6:08 pm

        Yes it is! 🙂

        Reply

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