Can you make a proper chile verde with no pork?

Question

Chile verde is my favorite thing and my partner is vegetarian. I have tried a couple of versions with seitan and mushrooms but neither got the richness or the texture I was looking for. The broth felt thin compared to pork-based chile verde.

Is there a vegetarian approach to chile verde that does not feel like a compromise?

ChilePete · Answer

Potato and white bean chile verde exists as a traditional dish in some regions — it is not a substitute, it is its own thing. Use the same tomatillo, Hatch green chile, and garlic base. The potato provides the body the pork would normally give, and the white beans thicken the broth. Finish with a tablespoon of butter if you are not vegan — the fat is what rounds out the broth.

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