Slow Cooker Al Pastor

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 5 to 5 1⁄5 hours

Ingredients:

Spice Mix:

• 1 tbs dried onion flakes
• 2 1⁄2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp chipotle powder Pork Shoulder:

• 1 pineapple, and on and ends trimmed
• 3 1⁄2 lbs pork shoulder or butt, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1 dried guanjillo chile
• 1 small yellow onion quartered
• 2 garlic cloves smashed
• 1⁄2 cups chicken stock
• 1⁄4 cup white vinegarTo serve:

• Flaky sea salt, to taste
• 12 corn tortillas
• 1 cup cilantro leaves
• 2 limes, cut into wedgesDirections:

1. Whisk together spice mix ingredients in a large bowl
2. Stand the pineapple up on one end.  Using a large knife, slice off skins into
   2-inch-wide strips. Rinse 3 to 4 strips and set aside. Cut the pineapple in half widthwise. Core and dice one pineapple half into 1⁄2-inch pieces and slice the remaining pineapple half into 1⁄4-inch rounds.
3. Add the pork shoulder or butt to the spice mix and toss to coat evenly, then transfer to slow cooker. Add the diced pineapple, guajillo, onion, and garlic. Add the chicken stock and white vinegar, and top with the reserved pineapple peels, cut-sides down.
4. Turn the slow cooker to high and cook until the meat easily pulls apart with a fork, 5 to 5 1⁄2 hours. Makes about 8 cups of al pastorTo serve: Pull apart the pork with a fork.  Transfer to a large platter with the pineapple and onions. Season with flaky salt and serve with the pineapple rounds, tortillas, cilantro, and lime wedges.

_____

If you’ve ever glimpsed inside a taco truck or peeked into the back of a Mexican bodega kitchen, you might have seen pineapple-topped marinated pork wrapped around a spit, with those fruit juices dripping below and flavoring the meat. This is the stunning al pastor, and its flavors live up to everything you want it to be. Here, we combine the pork, pineapple, aromatics and spices in a slow cooker, then braise until the meat is juicy, tender and falling apart. It makes for the world’s easiest, most flavorful pork taco.

Full recipe here.