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Best Easy Puerco con Nopales Recipe

Name: Best Easy Puerco con Nopales Recipe
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 320 g
Ingredients: boneless pork shoulder 1.5 lbs; fresh nopales (cactus paddles), cleaned and sliced 2 cups; white onion, chopped 1 cup; roma tomatoes, diced 1.5 cups; cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves; dried guajillo chiles, seeded 3 pieces; dried ancho chile, seeded 1 piece; chicken broth 2 cups; olive oil 2 tbsp; salt 1.5 tsp; black pepper 0.5 tsp; dried oregano 1 tsp

Pork stewed with cactus paddles in a savory chile sauce, blending protein with fiber-rich nopales. A healthy traditional combination that supports lower cholesterol and wholesome family eating.

Cook 90 min Difficulty NORMAL 350 kcal

#high protein #mediterranean

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

boneless pork shoulder 1.5 lbs
fresh nopales (cactus paddles), cleaned and sliced 2 cups
white onion, chopped 1 cup
roma tomatoes, diced 1.5 cups
cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves

Seasonings/Sauce

dried guajillo chiles, seeded 3 pieces
dried ancho chile, seeded 1 piece
chicken broth 2 cups
olive oil 2 tbsp
salt 1.5 tsp
black pepper 0.5 tsp
dried oregano 1 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 13 g 15%

Protein 27 g 31%

Fat 19 g 54%

Serving size 320g

Cooking steps

1

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the pork shoulder pieces on all sides in batches, then transfer to a plate.
2

In the same pot, add the remaining olive oil, then sauté the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
3

Add diced tomatoes and cook on medium until softened, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
4

Toast the guajillo and ancho chiles on a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes, pressing gently to release aroma. Place chiles in a bowl with 1 cup hot chicken broth to soak for 10 minutes.
5

Blend the soaked chiles with soaking liquid, sautéed tomato-onion mix, oregano, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
6

Return pork to the pot, pour over the blended chile sauce, and add the remaining chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes.
7

Add sliced nopales, stir gently, re-cover, and simmer for an additional 30 minutes or until pork is tender and nopales are cooked through.
8

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving warm.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What’s the key ingredient in this Best Easy Puerco con Nopales Recipe?

The core ingredients defining this dish’s flavor and character are the pork shoulder and nopales (cactus paddles). The pork brings rich, savory depth and protein, while nopales add a subtly tangy note and unique texture, blending with the chile sauce for a distinctively healthy Mexican stew.

Q. Why is heat control important while toasting and soaking the chiles?

Proper heat control ensures the dried guajillo and ancho chiles release their aromas without burning, which can turn the sauce bitter. Toast the chiles gently on medium heat, then soak them to soften and bring out a smoother, richer flavor for blending into the sauce.

Q. How can I keep the nopales tender, not slimy or overcooked?

Add the sliced nopales about 30 minutes before the stew is finished—this timing lets them cook through while maintaining a pleasing, slightly crisp texture. Simmer gently; overcooking may make them overly soft and release too much mucilage, but at this step, they’ll keep their structure.

Q. What are the nutrition highlights of each serving for this recipe?

Each 320g serving contains approximately 350 kcal, with 27g protein (31% of calories), 13g carbohydrates (15%), and 19g fat (54%). The recipe is high in protein and moderate in fat, with low-to-moderate carbohydrates thanks to the inclusion of nopales instead of starchy sides.

Best Easy Puerco con Nopales Recipe

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