Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork with Smoky Chipotle Sauce

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

Tender slow-cooked pulled pork infused with smoky chipotle peppers and a rich tomato-based sauce, perfect for sandwiches or tacos. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 380 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Mix 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp ground cumin in a small bowl. Rub this spice blend evenly over all sides of 3 lbs trimmed pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides, about 3 minutes per side, until browned and crusty.
  3. Step 3: Transfer pork to a slow cooker. Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 2 tbsp brown sugar.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Mix the shredded pork back into the sauce in the slow cooker and stir to coat well before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork with Smoky Chipotle 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 Pulled Pork with Smoky Chipotle 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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork with Smoky Chipotle 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 Pulled Pork with Smoky Chipotle 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 Pulled Pork with Smoky Chipotle 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes