Gallina Pinta is a slow-simmered Mexican soup from the state of Sonora. It's richly flavored with fork-tender beef, beans and hominy.
This Mexican hominy soup consists of different types of beef but the main one is oxtail. I also like to add chamorro, just like I do in beef Pozole, since it's so tender and flavorful!
This is one of the most nostalgic recipes from my childhood, a brothy hominy & bean soup that my mom would make on cold days. My family and friends love it as it fills their hearts with Mexico memories as well.
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Ingredients
The ingredients are kind of basic other than the oxtails but you should be able to find all of them easily.
- Chuck Roast cut into 2 inch cubes - I like to add a little extra beef to make it a more hearty meal. You can skip adding this if you want.
- You'll need about 1.5 Lb Oxtail. Even if you don't like to eat them, I truly recommend you add some for the Gallina Pinta authentic flavor.
- 1.5 Lb Chamorro
- 1 Lb pinto beans - Pre-soak for a few hours if time allows.
- 1 medium white onion peeled with a small cut at one of the ends.
- 1 chile verde (anaheim pepper)
- 1 garlic head cut a little bit of the top
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 bunch of cilantro + more for serving. I tie mine with twine so that I can remove from the pot easily
- 1 large can cooked hominy (110 oz)
- Beef or chicken bouillon powder
- 2 Tbsp kosher salt or more to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
FOR THE SALSA
Making this extra salsa to add to the broth gives it an amazing flavor and just a little hint of color to the broth. It's optional but highly recommended!
- 2 roma tomatoes
- ½ chile verde
- ½ medium cebolla
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 teaspoon beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup beef broth from the cooking soup
How To Make Gallina Pinta
You need a large stockpot to make this dish. The larger the better!
- In a very large pot with about 16 cups (4 liter) of boiling water, add all of the beef.
- Bring it to a boil and with a spoon remove all of the foam that forms on top of the pot.
- Once the foam has been removed, add the beans.
Then add the whole onion, green chile, garlic head, bay leaves and cilantro. Cook on medium heat covered.
- When the beans are tender, (about 1.5 hours), remove the onion, green chile, garlic and bunch of cilantro. Discard.
- Add the hominy, bullion, salt & pepper and oregano.
- Add the tomato salsa to the Gallina Pinta (See instructions below on how to make it)
- Cover and cook for 30 more minutes or until the beans & meat are very soft.
Make the SALSA
Make this salsa once the beef is almost done cooking and the broth has developed
- In a blender, puree the tomatoes, onion, garlic, spices and 1 cup of the beef broth.
In a small saucepan, add one tablespoon of oil and when hot, add the pureed salsa. Add it carefully since it may splatter.
Cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
How To Serve
Gallina Pinta is all about the garnishes, from tostadas to chopped onions, cilantro, radishes, limes and fresh oregano. Feel free to pile them high in your bowl.
And because every Mexican has to have something spicy on the table, we finish ours with some grinded chiltepin or you can use a mix of ground chili powders (substitute hot sauce).
Serve Gallina Pinta hot and garnish with onions, cilantro, chiltepin and a splash of lime. Enjoy with tostadas or toasted bolillos.
Other Mexican Soups you may enjoy:
Make it to feed a crowd while reveling in the fragrance that fills your home.
Did you check out the step by step photos? With these, the recipe will be a success! If you still have any questions, you can leave a question in the comments or email me at ana@muydelish.com for a faster answer.....Enjoy!
Recipe
Gallina Pinta
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Chuck Roast cut into 2 inch cubes
- 1 ½ Lb Oxtail
- 1 ½ Lb Chamorro
- 1 Lb pinto beans pre-soaked for a few hours if time allows
- 1 medium white onion peeled with a small cut at one of the ends.
- 1 chile verde (anaheim pepper)
- 1 garlic head cut a little bit of the top
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 bunch of cilantro + more for serving optional: tied up with twine
- 1 large can (110 oz) cooked hominy
- 1 ½ Tbsp beef or chicken bouillon powder
- 2 Tbsp kosher salt or more to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
For the Salsa
- 2 roma tomates
- ½ chile verde
- ½ medium cebolla
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth from the cooking soup
Toppings:
- Pick your favorite: Minced onions, cilantro, radishes, lime juice (a must!) and chiltepin.
- Tostadas or bolillo for serving.
- 1 tsp chicken or beef bouillon powder
Instructions
- Place the beef in a large stockpot and pour in about 16 cups (4 liters) hot water.
- Bring it to a boil and with a spoon remove all of the foam that forms on top of the pot.
- Once the foam has been removed, add the beans, the whole onion, green chile, garlic head, bay leaves and cilantro. Cook on medium heat covered.
- When the beans are tender, (about 1.5 to 2 hours), remove the onion, green chile, garlic and bunch of cilantro. Discard.
- Remove the onion, green chile, garlic and bunch of cilantro. Discard.
- Add the hominy, bullion, salt & pepper and oregano.
- Add the tomato salsa to the gallina pinta (See instructions below)
- Cover and cook for 30 more minutes or until the beans & meat are very soft.
- Serve hot and garnish with your favorite toppings and serve with tostadas or toasted bolillos.
Salsa (Make this salsa once the beef is almost all done cooking and the broth has developed)
- In a blender, puree the tomatoes, onion, garlic, spices and 1 cup of the beef broth.
- In a small saucepan, add one tablespoon of oil and when hot, add the pureed salsa. Add it carefully since it may splatter.
- Cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
Notes
Nutrition
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Delicioso Ana!! This Gallina Pinta reminds me of my mom making a big batch when we lived in Obregon. The salsa is a must! Muchas gracias!!
Thank you so much Malena! Your review means a lot!
This recipe is so easy to follow.... thank you! It was amazing 😀
Thank you Tina!!! I'm so glad you liked this Gallina Pinta!
Amazing recipe for gallina pinta!
I agree! One of my favorite Sonora recipes. Thank you Monica