Chicharrón en Salsa Verde (Pork Rinds in Green Chilli Sauce)

Chicharrón en salsa verde is a well-loved Mexican preparation that turns crisp pork rinds into a hot, saucy dish with plenty of character. The green sauce gets its brightness from tomatillos, serrano chilli, coriander, garlic and onion, giving it a sharp, savoury flavour that cuts through the richness of the pork. Brief simmering is key: the chicharrón should absorb the salsa and soften slightly while keeping a pleasantly chewy edge rather than collapsing completely. Finished with lime, it is quick enough for a weeknight dinner and best served straight away, while the sauce is lively and the texture is still defined.
Cuisine style Mexican home cooking
Flavor profile Tangy • Savoury • Medium heat
Techniques Simmering • Blending
Spice level Medium
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Bright, sharp salsa: Tomatillos and lime give the green sauce its lively acidity, cutting through the richness of the pork rind.
  • Chewy, saucy texture: Adding the chicharrón at the end lets it absorb the salsa while keeping a little bite.
  • Fast cooking: The tomatillos soften quickly, and blending the sauce keeps the dish practical for a weeknight meal.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • For less heat: Remove the serrano seeds and use a smaller amount of chilli before simmering the salsa.
  • For more heat: Keep the serrano seeds in, or add extra chilli to the saucepan with the tomatillos.
  • Keep the flavour balanced: Finish with lime and taste for salt after the pork rind has softened, as the chicharrón can season the sauce.

Timing notes

  • Best served straight away: The pork rind has the best texture just after it has softened slightly in the salsa.
  • Short final simmer: Once the sauce is blended, the chicharrón only needs a brief simmer; longer cooking makes it much softer.

Authenticity notes

  • Home-style Mexican dish: This is a practical salsa-based preparation often served with warm tortillas or simple sides rather than as a formal plated main.
  • Tomatillo base: Tomatillos are key to the recognisable green colour and tangy flavour of salsa verde.

Texture tips

  • Avoid over-softening: Stir the pork rind in only at the end and simmer briefly so it stays pleasantly chewy.
  • Loosen the sauce if needed: Add a splash more stock if the salsa thickens too much, then return it to a gentle simmer.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Peel and roughly chop the onion. Peel the garlic, and trim the serrano peppers (remove the seeds if you want it milder).
  2. Heat the sunflower oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add the serrano peppers, tomatillos, chicken stock and fine sea salt. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the tomatillos are tender and turning olive-green.
  4. Tip the mixture into a blender, add the fresh coriander, and blend until smooth. Return the salsa verde to the saucepan and bring back to a gentle simmer.
  5. Stir in the pork rind and simmer for 2 to 4 minutes, just until it softens slightly but still has some bite. Squeeze in the lime juice, taste, and adjust with a pinch more salt if needed.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the best texture, add the pork rind right at the end and simmer briefly so it stays pleasantly chewy rather than fully soft.
  • If you prefer a looser sauce, add a splash more chicken stock and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to bring it back to a gentle bubble.

Substitutions

  • Replace the serrano pepper with less serrano pepper for a milder heat.
  • Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth for a lighter, less meaty flavour.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool, cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water if needed, stirring often; the pork rind will soften more as it sits.

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Chicharrón en Salsa Verde (Pork Rinds in Green Chilli Sauce)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 30min (20min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Mexican
Beginner friendly

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