Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Shoulder with Ancho Chili Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in a smoky ancho chili and chipotle sauce, perfect for tacos, burritos, or hearty plates. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, boneless, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ancho chili powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Roughly chop 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and blend with 2 tbsp ancho chili powder, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder and rub all over with 2 tbsp olive oil. Place in slow cooker and pour the chili sauce evenly over the pork.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup water to the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks, then mix with the cooking juices for extra flavor. Serve warm in tacos, burritos, or alongside rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Shoulder with Ancho Chili Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Shoulder with Ancho Chili Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder, boneless from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Shoulder with Ancho Chili Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Shoulder with Ancho Chili Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Shoulder with Ancho Chili Sauce?

Mexican pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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