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Slow-Cooker Chipotle-Orange Pork Tacos

4.3

(36)

Photo of our pulled pork taco recipe with a basket of warm tortillas.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

You can serve this warmly spiced, slow-cooked pork in its entirety for a crowd, or treat it as a "nextover" and turn the extra servings into a brand-new dinner later in the week.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    10 hours

  • Yield

    4–6 servings

Ingredients

1 (6-lb.) skinless, boneless pork shoulder roast, preferably untied
2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. kosher salt
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. chili powder, preferably chipotle
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. finely grated orange zest
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
6 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
Corn tortillas, sour cream, cilantro, pickled red onions, and hot sauce (for serving)

Special Equipment

A 6-qt. (or larger) slow cooker

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Rub pork all over with 2 Tbsp. salt. Let sit at room temperature 10 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, mix oregano, brown sugar, chili powder, cinnamon, orange zest, and remaining 2 tsp. salt in a small bowl. Rub all over pork, then transfer pork to slow cooker insert. Add orange juice, lime juice, and garlic, then toss to coat. Cook on high 8 hours or on low 10 hours until pork is super-tender and falls apart easily when raked with a fork.

    Step 3

    Using tongs, transfer pork to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly. Strain juices left in slow cooker through a fine-mesh sieve into a large heatproof measuring cup or bowl. Let sit 10 minutes, then spoon off and discard fat. Transfer 1/2 cup juices to a resealable container and chill to use in Chile-Orange Pork Stir-Fry.

    Step 4

    Using 2 forks or tongs, shred meat into bite-size pieces, discarding any larger pieces of fat. Transfer 2 cups meat to a resealable container and chill for Chile-Orange Pork Stir-Fry, or reserve for another use. Return remaining meat (you should have about 6 cups) to slow cooker along with 1 cup strained juices. Keep warm until ready to use.

    Step 5

    Serve shredded pork with tortillas, sour cream, cilantro, onions, and hot sauce for assembling tacos.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 6

    Pork can be marinated 1 day ahead. Cover slow cooker insert with plastic and chill. Pork can be cooked 3 days ahead. Shred, then chill in an airtight container along with juices; rewarm gently before serving.

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