5 from 12 votes
Instant Pot Pozole (Blanco)
Instant Pot Pozole Blanco is a savory hominy soup centered on smoked ham hock cooked with aromatics and Mexican herbs in a pressure cooker. This preparation yields tender shredded meat and a flavorful broth enriched by oregano, cumin, and thyme. The addition of hominy adds a chewy, subtle corn texture that complements the meat and spices, creating a robust dish traditionally served with fresh garnishes.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
34 mins
Instant Pot Pressure Build Time
15 mins
Total Time
59 mins
Servings:
8
cups
Calories:
115 kcal
Course:
Soup
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 ham hock around 2 - 2 ½ pounds, smoked
- 1 quart cooking stock 4 cups, or broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or bacon grease
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1 head garlic or 8-10 garlic cloves
- 1 ounce can hominy (don’t drain)
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- salt I recommend adding 1 ½ teaspoons at the very end if using water, to taste
Instructions
- Roughly chop the onion and peel the garlic. Add onion and garlic to a food processor and Pulse a few times, until the onion and garlic are finely minced.
- Add olive oil or bacon grease and the chopped onion and garlic to the Instant Pot. Saute onion and garlic for 7 minutes by setting the Instant Pot to Saute (normal).
- Add ham hock and water (or stock/broth), along with the Mexican oregano, cumin, and thyme. Pressure cook for 20 minutes at High Pressure (normal).
- If possible, let natural release, which will take 15-20 minutes; otherwise, it’s okay to do a manual release shortly after cooking has finished.
- Remove ham hock. Add hominy and liquid and Saute for 7 minutes; this will help the soup reduce. Stir occasionally.
- Shred ham hock while hominy cooks and immediately add it back into the pozole.
- Taste as it cooks and adjust with additional seasonings if desired.
- Serve with shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, lime wedges, etc.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Add salt only at the end to avoid over-seasoning based on your choice of stock and smoked ham.
- Use natural pressure release when possible to preserve meat texture and juices.
- Serve with fresh vegetables like cabbage and radishes and lime wedges to add brightness and crunch.
Nutrition Information
Calories
115kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
3g
(1%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
23mg
(8%)
Sodium
61mg
(3%)
Potassium
128mg
(3%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
14IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
3mg
(3%)
Calcium
25mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 115
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 115kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 23mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 61mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 128mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 14IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.