Spiced Mexican Beer-Braised Pulled Pork

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-27 · Updated 2026-06-27

Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a rich, spiced Mexican beer sauce, perfect for tacos or sandwiches. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 210 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch pieces, Mexican lager beer, olive oil 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 pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch pieces
• 12 oz Mexican lager beer
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 3 lbs pork shoulder pieces with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices.
4. Step 4: Pour in 12 oz Mexican lager beer and 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Return the pork to the pot and bring to a simmer.
5. Step 5: Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and braise gently for 3 hours until pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
6. Step 6: Remove pork, shred with two forks, then return to the sauce. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro before serving.