Spiced Tamarind and Chipotle Glazed Pork Shoulder

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

Slow-roasted pork shoulder glazed with a tangy and smoky tamarind-chipotle sauce, perfect for a rich and flavorful meal. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 280 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, tamarind paste, chipotle peppers in adobo for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 260 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a bowl, mix 3 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 minced chipotle peppers, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 cup water until smooth.
  2. Step 2: Rub the 3 lbs pork shoulder thoroughly with the tamarind-chipotle glaze, making sure to cover all sides.
  3. Step 3: Place pork shoulder in a roasting pan, cover tightly with foil, and roast in the oven for 4 hours, basting with pan juices every hour until the meat is tender and easily shredded.
  4. Step 4: Remove foil and roast uncovered for an additional 20 minutes to caramelize the glaze. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing or shredding to serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Tamarind and Chipotle Glazed Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 280 minutes (20 min prep + 260 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 Spiced Tamarind and Chipotle Glazed Pork Shoulder?

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 Spiced Tamarind and Chipotle Glazed Pork Shoulder?

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 Spiced Tamarind and Chipotle Glazed Pork Shoulder 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 Spiced Tamarind and Chipotle Glazed Pork Shoulder?

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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