🌶️🐷 Carne de Puerco en Salsa Roja 🇲🇽✨

Tender pork simmered in a rich red chile sauce — a classic Mexican comfort dish

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Carne de Puerco en Salsa Roja is a traditional Mexican dish made with juicy chunks of pork cooked slowly until tender, then simmered in a flavorful sauce made from dried red chiles, tomatoes, garlic, and spices. It’s delicious with warm tortillas and rice.

🍲 Ingredients (Serves 6)

Pork

• 2 lbs (900 g) pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups water or pork broth
• 2 bay leaves

Red Salsa

• 6–8 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
• 2 dried ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
• 3 medium tomatoes, roasted or boiled
• 4 garlic cloves
• ½ white onion
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp Mexican oregano
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• Salt, to taste

For Serving

• Warm corn tortillas 🌮
• Mexican rice 🍚
• Refried beans 🫘
• Fresh cilantro 🌿
• Diced onion
• Lime wedges 🍋

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the Pork

1. Season pork cubes with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a large pot and brown pork on all sides.
3. Add water or broth and bay leaves.
4. Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes until pork becomes tender.

2. Make the Salsa Roja

1. Lightly toast dried chiles in a dry skillet for 20–30 seconds.
2. Soak chiles in hot water for 15–20 minutes until softened.
3. Blend chiles with tomatoes, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, vinegar, and a little soaking liquid.
4. Strain the sauce for a smooth texture.

3. Combine & Simmer

1. Add salsa roja to the cooked pork.
2. Simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
3. Adjust salt and seasoning.

4. Serve

Serve hot with:

• 🌮 Fresh tortillas
• 🍚 Rice
• 🫘 Beans
• 🧅 Onion and cilantro topping

⭐ Tips for the Best Carne de Puerco en Salsa Roja

• Pork shoulder gives the most tender, flavorful result.
• Toasting the chiles brings out a deeper smoky flavor.
• Strain the salsa for a restaurant-style smooth sauce.
• Let the pork simmer slowly so it absorbs the chile flavor.

🔥 Flavor: tender pork 🐷 + smoky red chiles 🌶️ + garlic & spices 🧄 = a classic Mexican dish full of warmth and comfort!