A traditional Costa Rican dish — Pozol is the hearty corn-and-pork soup of the Central Valley, a favorite for special occasions and rainy afternoons. White corn is simmered until it swells and begins to burst, then combined with tender pork, tomato, celery, and herbs in a deeply savory broth. It is rustic, thick, and served with tortillas for dunking.
Pozol Costarricense
A traditional Costa Rican dish — Pozol is the hearty corn-and-pork soup of the Central Valley, a favorite for special occasions and rainy afternoons.

Step by stepInstructions
- Drain the soaked corn, place it in a large pot with the water, and simmer for about one hour, until the kernels are tender and starting to split open.
- Add the pork, onion, garlic, and salt, and continue simmering for forty-five minutes to one hour, until the meat is very tender. Skim any foam.
- Remove the meat, shred or chunk it, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the tomato, celery, thyme, and oregano, and simmer for twenty minutes to blend the flavors.
- Season with salt and pepper, stir in the culantro, and serve steaming hot with tortillas.
💡 Chef tips & storage
The corn should be cooked until it just begins to split — that is the signature texture. A pressure cooker cuts the corn and pork cooking time roughly in half.

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