Slow-Cooker Chipotle-Orange Pork Tacos

Tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with chipotle, orange, and warming spices, perfect for making flavorful tacos. This Mexican-inspired dish combines the sweetness of orange with smoky chipotle and aromatic spices for a delicious taco filling.

8 servings
8 hr 45 min

Ingredients

  • 1 piece pork shoulder roast
  • 2⅔ tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 1 serving taco toppings
  • 1 piece slow cooker

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Rub pork all over with 2 Tbsp. salt. Let sit at room temperature 10 minutes.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, mix oregano, brown sugar, chili powder, cinnamon, orange zest, and remaining 2 tsp. salt in a small bowl. Rub all over pork, then transfer pork to slow cooker insert. Add orange juice, lime juice, and garlic, then toss to coat. Cook on high 8 hours or on low 10 hours until pork is super-tender and falls apart easily when raked with a fork.

    480 min

  3. 3.

    Using tongs, transfer pork to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly. Strain juices left in slow cooker through a fine-mesh sieve into a large heatproof measuring cup or bowl. Let sit 10 minutes, then spoon off and discard fat. Transfer 1/2 cup juices to a resealable container and chill to use in Chile-Orange Pork Stir-Fry.

    15 min

  4. 4.

    Using 2 forks or tongs, shred meat into bite-size pieces, discarding any larger pieces of fat. Transfer 2 cups meat to a resealable container and chill for Chile-Orange Pork Stir-Fry, or reserve for another use. Return remaining meat (you should have about 6 cups) to slow cooker along with 1 cup strained juices. Keep warm until ready to use.

    15 min

  5. 5.

    Serve shredded pork with tortillas, sour cream, cilantro, onions, and hot sauce for assembling tacos.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Pork can be marinated 1 day ahead. Cover slow cooker insert with plastic and chill. Pork can be cooked 3 days ahead. Shred, then chill in an airtight container along with juices; rewarm gently before serving.