Posole (from Spanish pozole, from Nahuatl potzolli, which means "foamy"; variant spellings: pozsole, pozolé, pozolli) is a traditional pre-Columbian soup or stew from Mexico. Posole was mentioned in Fray Bernardino de Sahagún's "General History of the Things of New Spain" circa 1500 C.E.. It is made from nixtamalized cacahuazintle corn, with meat, usually pork, chicken, turkey, pork rinds, sardine, chili pepper, and other seasonings and garnish.

Vegetarian and vegan versions also exist. After colonization by the Spaniards, the ingredients of posole changed, but the staple, corn remained. It is a typical dish in various states such as Michoacán, Guerrero, Jalisco, Morelos, México and Distrito Federal.

Posole is often served in Mexican restaurants in the American Southwest. In many places it is considered a delicacy and is not an everyday food. Since corn was a sacred plant for the Mexicans and other inhabitants of Mexico, posole was made to be consumed on special events.

The conjunction of corn [usually whole hominy kernels] and meat in a single dish is of particular interest to scholars because the ancient Mexicans believed that the gods made humans out of cornmeal dough. According to research by the National Institute of Anthropology and History and UNAM, in these special occasions, the meat used to cook the posole was human. After the prisoners were killed by tearing their hearts out in a ritual sacrifice, the rest of the body was chopped and cooked with corn, the meal was shared among the whole community as an act of religious communion.

After the conquest, when cannibalism was banned, pork became the staple meat, as it "tasted very similar", according to a Spanish priest.

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