Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

If you grew up in a tropical climate, and when my mom used to make Pork Chops with purslane, purslane was not something you went to the market to buy. It was something that your mom sent you to look for around the neighborhood, whether at a neighbor’s house or on the side of the road.

Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce

Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (1)

It used to be the same way with Nopales, also. For example, my Mom would ask some of my siblings or me to go to a neighbor’s house, if she was growing purslane, and kindly ask for some.

You would arrive at her house and say something like:
Good Morning Sra. Lupita, my Mom wants to cook Pork chops with purslane today, and she says if you would be so kind to share some Purslane for today’s meal.”It could be purslane, nopales, lime, epazote, mint, avocados, or whatever they had planted in their patio.

At my parents’ home we had limes, so people would often come to our house asking if we could share some limes with them. Those were other times, but I’m not feeling nostalgic, I like that the convenience of modern life lets me go to the supermarket and buy them by pounds or bunches! Or go outside and cut it straight from my veggie garden.

Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (2)

How to cook Purslane?

If you haven’t tried Purslane before, this is your chance to do it with this mouth-watering pork chops with purslane in a tomatillo stew. This stew is one of the most common ways that you will find purslane prepared in central Mexico.

You can steam purslane, saute or added it to stews the same way you will with spinach. Or added to salads, just used the leaves and tender stems.

What does purslane taste like?

Purslane’s flavor can be compared to that of spinach. I hope you give this plat a try since it also has a lot of amazing benefits like a great amount ofOmega 3 Fattyacids.

How to make Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce

Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (3)

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

  • Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pork chops and brown well on both sides. This step will take about 15 minutes. Turn the pork at least once during the cooking time.(Please check the ingredients list below)
  • While the pork chops are browning, combine husked tomatillos and pepper in a saucepan covered with water. Bring to simmer over medium heat and cook until tomatillos are soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Place chopped onion, garlic, cooked tomatillo, and Serrano peppers in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Add a little of the tomatillo-cooking water to the blender if needed.
Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (4)
  • Once your pork chops are well browned, add the tomatillo sauce. Add the chopped purslane, cumin and salt. If you wish, you can mix in other veggies like I did here, by adding diced zucchini. It’s a great combination. Keep simmering on low heat for about 20 more minutes, until the pork chop meat is tender.
Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (5)

UPDATE: May 23th, 2018

INSTANT POT Pork Chops with Purslane

  • Place the pork chops in the instant Pot with ½ cup of water and 1 Tablespoons of vegetable oil. Cook for 15 minutes.
  • Place the salsa ingredients in your blender and process until they have a chunky texture. Ass the salsa to the Instant Pot and cook for 5 more minutes.
  • Release the pressure valve to open the pot and stir in the purslane. Place back the lid and cover. Just let the steam of the already cooked meat cook the about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!
Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (6)

Enjoy your Pork Chops with Purslane in Salsa Verde!

Provecho!
Mely,

More recipes:
Lentil Soup
Creamy Black Bean Soup

📖 Recipe

Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (7)

Pork Chops with Purslane in tomatillo sauce

Mely Martínez

If you haven’t tried Purslane before, this is your chance to do it with this mouth-watering pork-tomatillo stew. This stew is one of the most common ways that you will find purslane prepared in central Mexico. Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce.

4.80 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Pork, Salsas

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6 servings

Calories 322 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Lbs Pork chops ¾ in. thick (6 Pork chops)
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 bunches of purslane cleaned and thick stems removed (About 3 cups)
  • 1 ½ Lb Tomatillos
  • 4 Serrano peppers*
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Water to cook tomatillos and Serrano peppers
  • cup of white onion chopped.
  • ¼ tsp. cumin ground
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the pork chops and brown well on both sides. This step will take about 15 minutes. Turn the pork at least once during the cooking time.

  • While the pork chops are browning, combine husked tomatillos and pepper in a saucepan covered with water. Bring to simmer over medium heat and cook until tomatillos are soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

  • Place chopped onion, garlic, cooked tomatillo, and Serrano peppers in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Add a little of the tomatillo-cooking water to the blender if needed.

  • Once your pork chops are well browned, add the tomatillo sauce. Add the chopped purslane, cumin and salt. If you wish, you can mix in other veggies like I did here, by adding diced zucchini. It’s a great combination. Keep simmering on low heat for about 20 more minutes, until the pork chop meat is tender.

Serve with Mexican white rice (or pinto beans, as we do at home), along with lots of warm corn tortillas to dip into the sauce.

    Notes

    * you can substitute the Serrano peppers using 2 jalapeno peppers

    ** This dish Pork Chops with Purslane in green sauce is so versatile that you can also add zucchini, chayotes, nopales or other green vegetables.

    There is another version for Pork chops with a red tomato sauce. Just use tomatoesinstead of tomatillos.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 322kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 34gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 192mgPotassium: 916mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 207IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 2mg

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Pork

    • Shredded Pork in Achiote Sandwich
    • Country Style Pork Ribs in a Spicy Tomato Sauce
    • Easy seasoned pork chops
    • Cochito al Horno

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply & Rating

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Leisa

      Hi, In the instant pot recipe do I cook the salsa components before putting it in the pot? Thanks so much.

      Reply

      • mmartinez

        Hello Leisa,
        Cook the meat in the instant pot according to the pot settings, while you cook the meat, cook the sauce as per the instructions. One the meat is done, add the sauce and the purslane, and cook on manual for 7-8 minutes.

        Reply

    2. Barbara

      I am waiting for the purslane to get big enough to use. I had a nice start last summer but some "kind" neighbor pulled the weeds out of the bed. I hope nobody helps me this year but my area is next to a side walk. Naturally, it isn't even sold in the Farmer's Market here.

      Reply

    3. Esther

      Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (12)
      This is so flavorful! I followed your recipe as written, and it was very easy to prepare.
      Funny little story: I have verdolagas growing in my backyard, I had planned on cooking this dish one weekend, but when I went to pick them, I found out that the landscapers had pulled them out! I was so disappointed! So now I have them fenced in 😁

      Reply

      • mmartinez

        Hello Esther,
        Good thing verdolagas are easy to grow. 🙂

        Reply

    4. Ron Provencio

      Found your blog and must say it is "excellent." I love the way you have outlined the meats and recipes. Congratulations and thank you for making it so easy for a novice cook such as myself.

      Reply

      • mmartinez

        Thank Ron Provencio! Enjoy and happy cooking!

        Reply

    5. Tifferella

      Hi,
      Mely! I really want to make this dish, but I can't find Purslane!! 🙁 I have searched in my local grocery store and I just haven't had any luck. I have tried a few of your recipes on here and I have to say your blog is a life saver.

      Reply

      • Mely

        Hello Tifferella,

        You can use Nopalitos or other type of greens like spinach or chard.

        Regards,

        Mely

        Reply

    6. Prieta

      Mely, I have verdolaga s growing in my back yard. I used to think they were weeds but one day I recognized the plant and started using it in my kitchen. I love verdolagas con espinaso, I will try your recipe some day

      Reply

      • Esther

        This is one of my favorite meals. I also have a patch of verdolagas growing in my yard.
        One time my landscapers pulled the whole thing out. I almost had a heart attack! Since then, I fenced in that area, & also planted cilantro.
        Thanks for providing recipes that always remind me of my mom's cooking.

        Reply

        • mmartinez

          Hello Esther,
          I can imagine your feeling after seeing the landscapers removing the verdolagas. The good thing is that they are easy to grow.

    7. MARALYN

      I'm growing a tomatillo in a large container on my patio and it's covered with blooms. I am definitely going to try this. Love pork chops. I lived in Zihuatanejo for several years and I miss it so much. Your clay cookware made me nostalgic. I have not seen purselane in any grocery stores where I live but since you said it kind of compares to spinach I will use that. I love your blog, especially the how to's.

      Reply

    8. Catherine

      Oh, that dish looks so good. Blessings, Catherine

      Reply

    Pork Chops with Purslane in Tomatillo Sauce | Mexican Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What cooking method is best for pork chops? ›

    A quick turn in a hot pan followed by a little time in the oven is another great way to cook pork chops. You build color and flavor in the skillet, then hand the cooking over to the oven, which gives you time to prep the rest of the meal.

    How long does it take to cook pork chops at 350? ›

    How Long to Bake Pork Chops at 350 Degrees F. Baking pork chops at 350 degrees F will generally take 20 to 30 minutes.

    How long to cook pork chops in oven at 400? ›

    How Long to Bake Pork Chops at 400 Degrees F. At 400 degrees F you can count on 7 to 8 minutes for each 1/2 inch of thickness your pork chops are. So, 3/4-inch-thick chops will take 10 to 12 minutes, 1-inch-thick cooks in 15 to 16 minutes, and so on.

    What is the best cut of pork chop for frying? ›

    SPARE RIB CHOPS

    The best chops for flavour and tenderness. The meat from this part of the pig is made up of lots of little, softer muscles, interspersed with very thin layers of succulent fat and connective tissue, which in effect makes them self-basting. They will stay moist and tender instead of drying out.

    What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

    A longer brine will bring more moisture into the pork, but a quick brine will still be helpful if you're in a rush to get dinner started. A thick pork chop (1 ½” to 2”) can brine for longer, but avoid brining for more than 8 hours to prevent toughness. After brining, rinse pork chops and pat dry to remove excess salt.

    What is the secret to making tender pork chops? ›

    How to Make Tender Pork Chops
    1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
    2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
    3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
    4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
    5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
    6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
    7. Serve.
    Feb 14, 2018

    Is it better to bake pork chops covered or uncovered? ›

    Do Baked Pork Chops Need to Be Covered? Some baked pork chop recipes do require that the pan is covered with either foil or a lid. It creates steam and ensures that the meat is tender and juicy.

    Is it better to bake or fry pork chops? ›

    Cooking pork chops in the oven can yield to a tender and juicy meat. Brine bone-in pork chops then sear them first before finishing them off in the oven. To learn more, here's our recipe for perfectly cooked, perfectly juicy pork chops.

    What is the best way to cook pork chops without them drying out? ›

    For juicy, flavorful pork chops, try brining the chops before grilling or broiling — two high-heat cooking methods that can quickly dry out lean pork chops. Brines are essentially salty, sugary water solutions; they'll keep the meat moist, while adding flavor.

    Should you flip pork chops in the oven? ›

    Flip the chops when the first side is browned, five to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the chop. Continue cooking until the second side is browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into the center of the meat registers 130°F, another 5 to 10 minutes.

    Can you overcook pork chops in oven? ›

    Undercooked pork carries the risk of food-borne illness, and overcooked pork can be dried-out, tough, and chewy. Cook your chop until it's around 135 degrees, and then transfer it to a cutting board—the residual heat will bring it to the USDA's recommended 145 degrees.

    What should I season pork chops with? ›

    Pork Chop Seasoning Recipe
    1. 3 tablespoons paprika.
    2. 2 tablespoons kosher salt.
    3. 3 teaspoons pepper.
    4. 2 teaspoons brown sugar.
    5. 2 teaspoons garlic powder.
    6. 2 teaspoons onion powder.
    7. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
    8. 1/2 teaspoon sage (optional)
    Jul 31, 2023

    Is it better to pan fry pork chops in butter or oil? ›

    I use both! At the same time! The butter helps achieve that golden brown color and adds more flavor, but you need the oil, too, because it has a higher smoke point and keeps the butter from burning. How long do you cook pork chops in a frying pan?

    Should I cover my pork chops when I fry them? ›

    Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add meat. Don't add any liquid and don't cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until internal temperature registers 145°F on an instant-read thermometer (for ¾- to 1-inch-thick chops, plan on 6 to 10 minutes), turning meat occasionally.

    What is the best oil to use when frying pork chops? ›

    I always use canola oil for frying. This recipe is for two pork chops. It is best not to crowd them in the pan even if you have to start again with another batch. The biggest secret is the temperature and to keep turning the chops over.

    Are pork chops better in the oven or on the stove? ›

    Cooking pork chops in the oven can yield to a tender and juicy meat. Brine bone-in pork chops then sear them first before finishing them off in the oven.

    Should I grill or pan fry pork chops? ›

    The quickest way to cook pork chops is to pan-fry or griddle them. As the chops can be quite large, this method is best when serving one or two people. If you're cooking for more you might want to try roasting or grilling.

    Is it better to grill or bake thick pork chops? ›

    Pork chops should always be made on the stove and in the oven. Unless you want your pork chops to be dry and rubbery every time you serve them, the best course of action when cooking pork chops is to utilize both the stove and the oven and avoid the grill entirely.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Kelle Weber

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6020

    Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

    Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Kelle Weber

    Birthday: 2000-08-05

    Address: 6796 Juan Square, Markfort, MN 58988

    Phone: +8215934114615

    Job: Hospitality Director

    Hobby: tabletop games, Foreign language learning, Leather crafting, Horseback riding, Swimming, Knapping, Handball

    Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.