Slow-Cooked Mato Grosso Pork with Amazonian Spice Rub
Juicy pork shoulder slow-cooked in a fragrant blend of regional Amazonian spices, delivering tender meat infused with vibrant earthy flavors. This brazilian-inspired slow cooker ready in about 495 minutes pairs ground coriander seeds, ground annatto (achiote) seeds, ground cumin 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs, trimmed and cut into large chunks pork shoulder
- 2 tsp ground coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp ground annatto (achiote) seeds
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp ground coriander seeds, 1 tbsp ground annatto seeds, 1 tsp ground cumin, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the Amazonian spice rub.
- Step 2: Rub this spice mixture evenly over all sides of the 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks. Place the pork in a slow cooker.
- Step 3: Pour 1/2 cup fresh orange juice and 3 tbsp olive oil over the pork, then add 2 bay leaves into the cooker.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves and shred the pork with two forks. Mix well with the cooking juices and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Mato Grosso Pork with Amazonian Spice Rub take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Mato Grosso Pork with Amazonian Spice Rub?
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 ground coriander seeds from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Mato Grosso Pork with Amazonian Spice Rub?
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 Mato Grosso Pork with Amazonian Spice Rub 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 Mato Grosso Pork with Amazonian Spice Rub?
Brazilian slow cooker 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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