Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Pulled Pork with Chipotle Adobo
Tender pulled pork cooked low and slow in a smoky chipotle adobo sauce, perfect for tacos, sandwiches, or over rice. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 555 minutes turns pork shoulder (boneless), adobo sauce, minced garlic cloves into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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 pork shoulder (boneless)
- 2 peppers, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 3 tbsp adobo sauce
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to form a spice rub.
- Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder evenly with the spice mixture on all sides.
- Step 3: Place the pork shoulder into a slow cooker. Add 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 3 tbsp adobo sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and 1 cup chicken broth to the slow cooker.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low heat for 8-9 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender.
- Step 5: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat.
- Step 6: Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the cooking juices. Keep warm on low for an additional 30 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Pulled Pork with Chipotle Adobo take to make?
Total time is about 555 minutes (15 min prep + 540 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 Cooker Tex-Mex Pulled Pork with Chipotle Adobo?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Pulled Pork with Chipotle Adobo?
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 Cooker Tex-Mex Pulled Pork with Chipotle Adobo 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 Cooker Tex-Mex Pulled Pork with Chipotle Adobo?
Mexican 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.
