Bean Burritos, Smothered in Green Chile Pork (Chile Verde)

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If you’re craving a comforting, flavor-packed Mexican-inspired dish, these Bean Burritos Smothered in Green Chile Pork (Chile Verde) will win you over. Tender chunks of pork simmered in a rich green chile sauce are the star of this recipe, layered with creamy beans and wrapped in warm tortillas. You can serve them smothered in sauce for that restaurant-style experience—or keep it simple and tuck everything neatly inside a burrito.

I first tasted chile verde at a small family-owned taquería in New Mexico, where it was served ladled over burritos so generously that you needed a fork and knife. It was love at first bite—the smoky roasted chiles, the savory pork, and the creamy beans created the perfect balance. This recipe brings those same bold flavors straight to your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Rich & Hearty – Tender pork simmered in chile verde sauce.

  • Restaurant-Style – Smothered burritos you can recreate at home.

  • Customizable – Make it mild or spicy, add toppings, or keep it simple.

  • Make Ahead Friendly – Pork chile verde tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

For the Pork Chile Verde

  • 1½ to 2 lbs pork cushion meat, cut into 1–2 inch cubes (some fat is fine)

  • 6 green chiles, roasted, peeled, and diced (or canned green chiles)

  • ½ small onion, diced

  • 2–3 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 3–4 cups water

  • 1 tsp oil or lard (if needed)

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Optional: ½–1 tsp each garlic powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano

To Serve

  • Flour tortillas

  • Refried or whole beans

  • Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, or salsa

Instructions

  1. Brown the Pork

    • Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over high heat.

    • Add oil or lard if pork is lean.

    • Sear pork cubes until deeply browned on all sides—take your time here for maximum flavor.

  2. Add Chiles & Onion

    • Stir in roasted green chiles and diced onion.

    • Cook for a few minutes until fragrant.

  3. Coat with Flour

    • Sprinkle flour over the pork mixture and stir to coat.

    • Cook 1–2 minutes to remove raw flour taste (do not brown).

  4. Simmer the Chile Verde

    • Pour in 3–4 cups water, stirring to create a gravy-like sauce.

    • Add optional garlic powder, cumin, and oregano if desired.

    • Simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until pork is tender and sauce is rich.

    • Season with salt and pepper halfway through.

  5. Assemble Burritos

    • Warm flour tortillas.

    • Spread with beans, then add pork chile verde.

    • Roll up as burritos or spoon chile verde over the top to serve smothered-style.

    • Add optional toppings like cheese, lettuce, sour cream, or salsa.

Tips for Success

  • Roast fresh green chiles for the best smoky flavor.

  • Simmer longer (up to 90 minutes) for fall-apart tender pork.

  • If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water.

  • For spicier chile verde, include a roasted jalapeño or serrano.

Make It Your Own

  • Cheesy Twist – Top with shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar before serving.

  • Vegetarian Swap – Use beans and sautéed zucchini instead of pork.

  • Burrito Bowl Style – Serve chile verde over rice with beans for a lighter option.

  • Party Style – Make mini burritos or sliders with chile verde filling.

Serving Suggestions

  • Pair with Mexican rice and a side salad.

  • Serve with chips, salsa, or guacamole.

  • Great with a margarita or chilled agua fresca.

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerate: Store chile verde in airtight containers up to 4 days.

  • Freeze: Freeze pork chile verde (without beans or tortillas) for up to 2 months.

  • Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed.

Final Thoughts

These Bean Burritos Smothered in Green Chile Pork are hearty, bold, and incredibly satisfying. The rich chile verde elevates a simple burrito into a restaurant-worthy dish that’s perfect for family dinners or weekend feasts.

Share Your Burrito Night!

Made this recipe? Tag @yourhandle and use #ChileVerdeBurritos so I can see your creations!

Bean Burritos, Smothered in Green Chile Pork (Chile Verde)

Delicious bean burritos smothered in tender pork chile verde. A hearty Mexican-inspired recipe with smoky green chiles and rich sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Pork Chile Verde
  • 1½ to 2 lbs pork cushion meat cut into 1–2 inch cubes (some fat is fine)
  • 6 green chiles roasted, peeled, and diced (or canned green chiles)
  • ½ small onion diced
  • 2 –3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 –4 cups water
  • 1 tsp oil or lard if needed
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: ½–1 tsp each garlic powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano
To Serve
  • Flour tortillas
  • Refried or whole beans
Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, or salsa

Method
 

Brown the Pork
  1. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over high heat.
  2. Add oil or lard if pork is lean.
  3. Sear pork cubes until deeply browned on all sides—take your time here for maximum flavor.
Add Chiles & Onion
  1. Stir in roasted green chiles and diced onion.
  2. Cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
Coat with Flour
  1. Sprinkle flour over the pork mixture and stir to coat.
  2. Cook 1–2 minutes to remove raw flour taste (do not brown).
Simmer the Chile Verde
  1. Pour in 3–4 cups water, stirring to create a gravy-like sauce.
  2. Add optional garlic powder, cumin, and oregano if desired.
  3. Simmer 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until pork is tender and sauce is rich.
  4. Season with salt and pepper halfway through.
Assemble Burritos
  1. Warm flour tortillas.
  2. Spread with beans, then add pork chile verde.
  3. Roll up as burritos or spoon chile verde over the top to serve smothered-style.
  4. Add optional toppings like cheese, lettuce, sour cream, or salsa.