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Segueza

This traditional Oaxacan dish — Segueza — is the ancient Zapotec festival stew of the Valles Centrales, whose very name means toasted corn in the Zapotec language.

⏱ 40 minPrep time
🔥 120 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Zapotec segueza toasted corn stew with pork

This traditional Oaxacan dish — Segueza — is the ancient Zapotec festival stew of the Valles Centrales, whose very name means toasted corn in the Zapotec language. Toasted, cracked maize thickens a rustic chile broth holding rabbit or pork, perfumed with epazote, hoja santa and the wild herb chepiche. Served at weddings, velorios and patron saint fiestas, it is a thick, earthy taste of Oaxaca’s deepest traditions.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Toast the nixtamal corn on a hot comal, stirring, until dry and lightly toasted, then grind it coarsely (or toast coarse cornmeal in a dry pan).
  2. Simmer the rabbit in salted water until tender, about 1 hour, then strain and reserve 6 cups of broth; shred the meat.
  3. Toast the chiles until fragrant, soak in hot water for 20 minutes, then blend with the garlic, onion and a little broth; strain.
  4. Fry the chile puree in the lard for 10 minutes, then add the toasted corn and the reserved broth and simmer, stirring often, for 30 minutes until thick.
  5. Stir in the shredded meat, epazote, hoja santa and chepiche, and simmer 15 minutes more.
  6. Season with salt and serve hot with tortillas — the stew should be dense and hearty.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Chilcostle chiles are small and hard to find; guajillos are the classic substitute. Chepiche is a wild Oaxacan herb — a cilantro-epazote blend is the accepted stand-in.

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Recipe details

Prep40 min
Cook120 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →