Smoked Chile Verde
On October 10, 2019 (Updated October 25, 2023)
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This Smoked Chile Verde is incredibly simple to make and off the charts delicious. Eat it straight off the bone, or serve it in tacos, burritos, on nachos and so much more. Save this recipe for later, it’s a keeper.
What is Chile Verde?
In it’s most basic state, chile verde is a stew of tender pork or beef in a savory green sauce. The sauce is made from tomatillos and green chile peppers. The heat of the chile verde can be adjusted to be mild to medium to hot, and the meat can be prepared in a number of ways.
If you search for chile verde, you’ll often see it spelled chile or chili. The first part of the name “chili” indicates that this is a stew-type soup made with meat and beans. “Verde” is Spanish for green, meaning chili verde is basically a green chili. In chili (or chile!) verde, we often omit the beans from the stew, and the green sauce and tender meat take center stage. When spelled “chile,” you often get the same recipe, the name is just indicating that it is a green sauce made with chiles.
Recipes for chile verde vary greatly by location with Mexican varieties differing from recipes in the states (and each state in the West having their own preferences and ingredients). No matter where you go or what recipe you follow, you’ll know you’re likely to get a stew with a flavorful meat and some variation of tasty green chiles and sauces.
Pulled Pork Chile Verde
Today’s recipe for smoked chile verde is a pulled pork chile verde. The secret to making this delicious pulled pork chile verde is in braising the pulled pork (smoked from a pork shoulder) in a tasty chile verde sauce while it’s on the smoker. This meat can be eaten in traditional stew form right off the grill, or you can use the meat in just about any way possible.
This pulled pork chile verde is incredible in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, and sandwiches. I like to eat mine with a squeeze of lime, a side tortilla, fresh chopped red onions, sour cream, and cilantro. There’s no judgement here on how you choose to enjoy this smoked chile verde. The sky really is the limit.
Chile Verde Sauce
This smoked chile verde pulled pork uses a combination of three sauces as a braising liquid to braise the pork after it’s had its initial smoke. These three Here’s what you’ll need to make this sauce:
- 28-oz can of Green Chile Enchilada Sauce
- 4-oz can of Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles (choose your heat level)
- 12-oz can of Salsa Verde Green Tomatillo Sauce (I used Trader Joe’s brand)
How to Make Smoked Chile Verde
With only 5 ingredients, this smoked chile verde is simple to make and requires little more than seasoning your meat, watching your smoker temp, and giving it a little bit of time.
Begin by seasoning the pork shoulder with my Signature Beef Seasoning. You can purchase this seasoning online from Patio Provisions, or you can use a simple seasoning of equal parts salt, pepper, and garlic powder (I like to mix these in a small bowl before sprinkling on the meat).
With your smoker preheated to 225 degrees, smoke the pork for 8 hours straight on the grill grates. You’re aiming for the internal temp of the meat to reach 160-165 degrees F. Make sure you have a reliable meat thermometer on hand so you get an accurate reading.
Once your meat is between 160-165 degrees F, remove it from the smoker and place in a disposable aluminum pan. Dump the three cans of chile verde sauce goodness right over the meat. Using a large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil, tightly cover the pan. You want to create an airtight seal, allowing the meat to braise inside the foil.
Return the meat to the smoker for an additional 2-3 hours. Remove the meat when the internal temp reads 195-203 degrees F. Allow the meat to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour before shredding and serving. Taste the pork and add additional salt, as needed.
More Mexican-Inspired BBQ Recipes
I love some good Tex-mex or Mexican-inspired BBQ. Sometimes you just can’t beat the spicy, sweet flavors of these recipes. Check out more BBQ recipes from Hey Grill Hey when you’re wanting a kick of great flavor.
Chorizo Breakfast Burrito
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Smoked Chile Verde Recipe
Watch the video below, and let’s make something delicious! I’m all about helping you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a BBQ hero Check out more Hey Grill Hey behind the scenes action on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!
Smoked Chile Verde
Video
Ingredients
- 1 8-10 pound bone-in pork shoulder (AKA Boston butt)
- Signature Beef Seasoning
Braising Liquid
- 1 28-oz can green chile enchilada sauce choose mild or spicy based on your flavor preferences
- 1 4-oz can fire roasted diced green chiles choose mild or spicy based on your flavor preferences
- 1 12-oz can salsa verde salsa
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F. For a bold smoke flavor, go with mesquite wood, for a milder flavor, I recommend using alder or hickory.
- Using a paper towel, wipe down your pork shoulder to remove any excess liquid from the packaging or bone fragments from the meat.
- Season on all sides with my Signature Beef Seasoning or equal amounts of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Place your seasoned pork shoulder directly on the grill grates. Close the lid, and smoke for 8 hours or until the internal temperature of your meat reaches 160-165 degrees F.
- Remove the pork from the smoker and place in disposable aluminum pan. Pour all ingredients for the braising liquid over the pork. Cover tightly with a large sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil and seal all edges.
- Increase the heat on your smoker to 350 degrees F.
- Place the pork shoulder back on the smoker for 2-3 hours. Cook until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 195-203 degrees F.
- Remove the pork from the smoker and allow to rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Remove the aluminum foil, and shred the pork straight into the liquid, removing the bone and any gristle or excess fat. Taste and season with additional salt, as needed. This meat is versatile and can be eaten like a stew, served in burritos, tacos, on nachos however you like.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this with tortilla for street tacos,Then make enchiladas put it the left overs!!!!!excellent
Going to try this recipe this weekend but have a question. I’m sure you get this asked a lot. Should the butt go on the smoker fat cap up or down? Always afraid the meat will get too crusty when down for that long. Cooking on a YS640S. Thanks in advance.
Put the fat cap between the meat and the heat, whatever orientation that ends up being. It’ll help protect the meat throughout the cook and will render better.
This is ridiculously the best item I have ever made or found. The only thing I do different is add sliced Serrano peppers during the braze and insert garlic cloves to the pork butt during the smoking.
I followed the instructions and the result was probably the very best thing I’ve ever cooked. Used hickory, smoked for 8 hours. Absolutely incredible and so easy. Any wait to make for guests. Don’t doubt, just do it! You will not be sorry. Thank you Hey Grill, Hey!
I have friends who do not eat pork so I have combined this recipe and the methods from your Hey Grill Hey Chuck Roast Pulled Beef recipe and it is always a hit. Wrap it up with some cheddar or pepper.jack in fresh tortillas. It is fantastic!