Best Chipotle Pulled Pork Recipe
How to make the best chipotle pulled pork in the instant pot or slow cooker
Forget all preconceived notions about pulled pork – it’s time for a whole new perspective. BBQ sauce, grab some bench… chipotle, your up to bat!
This Chipotle Pulled Pork recipe will seriously knock your socks off! Featuring two superstar ingredients, and one that you might not expect! Ok, I won’t keep you in suspense! Chipotles in adobo sauce bring the smoky heat while our favorite soda pop physician, Dr. Pepper, brings the sweet. This combination is a sweet-heat masterpiece!
The best chipotle pulled pork
This chipotle pulled pork recipe is so simple and easy thanks to the magic of the crock pot (or Instant pot, if you please). Your kitchen will smell like you spent all afternoon cooking. But you will definitely NOT be laboring over this meat all day! Prep time is minimal and the flavor cannot be beat.
Whether you have an Instant Pot or a slow cooker at your disposal, I’m here to show you how easy it can be to make chipotle pulled pork in the comfort of your kitchen (in your jammie pants, hair in top knot, with a glass of wine…oh, wait, that was me).
Not only is pulled pork incredibly flavorful and delicious, but this particular version of the dish comes packed with smoky chipotle heat courtesy of the adobo sauce. This shredded pork will delight even the most discerning palettes. So grab your favorite kitchen utensils and let’s get started on making some mouth-watering chipotle pulled pork!
Chipotle Beginners Start Here
Chipotle peppers, we’ve all heard of them, right? But what are they? To put it simply, a chipotle pepper is a jalapeño that has been left on the vine to ripen until red, and is then smoked and dried.
Believe it or not, the word “Chipotle” isn’t just a name for a restaurant. It is actually a compound of two Aztec words (which is probably why the pronunciation is so strange for English speakers!): chilli (hot pepper) and poctli (smoke).
You’ll need some chipotle peppers for this pork recipe. We will be using canned chipotles in adobo sauce. If this is your first time cooking with chipotles, then I recommend starting off with a milder variety. You can usually find canned chipotle peppers at your local grocery store or you can buy them online here.
What is Adobo Sauce?
Adobo sauce is a Mexican condiment made of chiles, tomato paste, garlic, onions and spices. It’s often used to marinate or as a finishing sauce for dishes like tacos, burritos and enchiladas. This particular recipe will delight your palate with its sweet smokey heat!
How to Select the Pork
For this recipe, you’ll need a pork shoulder roast. Pork shoulder is one of the most flavorful cuts of pork and it also has enough fat marbling that it won’t dry out while cooking. It may also be called a pork butt, Boston butt or a picnic shoulder. Regardless of the name, look for a cut that is well-marbled with fat and has a nice pinkish color. Regardless of the cut pork, you’ve got to look for marbling.
What is Marbling?
For this recipe, you’ll need a pork shoulder roast. Pork shoulder is one of the most flavorful cuts of pork and it also has enough fat marbling that it won’t dry out while cooking. It may also be called a pork butt, Boston butt or a picnic shoulder. Regardless of the name, look for a cut that is well-marbled with fat and has a nice pinkish color. Regardless of the cut pork, you’ve got to look for marbling.
A pork loin is not preferable for this recipe as it is a leaner cut of meat with less marbling. Although pork loin is one of the most succulent cuts, it also has virtually no marbling and can be quite bland.
You need that marbling! When you’re shopping for marbled pork, search for thin streaks of fat instead of large pieces. When cooked properly, the fat melts and keeps the meat juicy while introducing a delicious flavor. The melt-in-your mouth sensation is caused by that same fat melting into the rest of your meal! Slow cook or pressure cook to make sure it’s done right.
Prep the Pork Shoulder
Once you’ve selected your pork shoulder roast, it’s time to prep it for cooking. Begin by removing any excess chunks of fat and trimming away any tough tendons or silver skin. Then cut the roast into large cubes and season with salt and black pepper. Some folks like to brown the pork at this set. I don’t, but be my guest.
Using Dr. Pepper for Slow Cooking pork
Now it’s time to add some flavor to your pulled pork. For this recipe, I recommend using Dr. Pepper as the cooking liquid in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. The sweetness of the soda helps to tenderize the meat and adds a unique flavor that you won’t find anywhere else. No need for added brown sugar or honey- the Dr. has you covered!
Using Chipotle Peppers for Slow Cooking Pork
I like to add my chipotle peppers whole, with the entire can of adobo sauce. Some folks swear by chopping, dicing or blending the peppers and adobo sauce to make a paste- this definitely brings up the heat factor. Our family loves the sweet-heat flavor, but a little less of the heat, so I leave the peppers whole and remove them after cooking. If you are a newcomer to chipotle peppers, you may want to start with only 2 or 3 peppers and the adobo sauce!
Crock Pot or Instant Pot
For most of my cooking career, I have been a crockpot gal. I’m pretty sure I have at least 5 different crockpots in the cupboards, all of various brands and sizes. Seriously, though- you never know when you might need to prepare Buffalo Cheese Dip, Grape Jelly Meatballs, Lil’ Smokies, and Farm House Chili all at the same time!
But then the Instant Pot came into my life. You can cook a whole chicken from frozen in 45 minutes? Say what? I no longer need a rice cooker? Tell me more! The Instant Pot makes quick work of pressure cooking meat, from thawed or frozen. It never fails to give you a succulent, tender, and downright yummy outcome! If you are thinking about getting an Instant Pot, check this one out: Instant pot. I highly recommend the 8 quart version!
Our Favorite
Slow-Cookers
Our Favorite
Pressure-Cookers
Cooking Time and Method
In your cooking vessel of choice, you will add the pork roast, Dr. Pepper, and chipotles in adobo sauce. Make sure you scrape out every last drop of that sweet and smokey adobo deliciousness!
For the tried and true slow cooker: Cook on low, covered for 8-10 hours. If the meat does not shred easily, go for another 30-45 minutes and try again.
For the handy dandy Instant Pot, set the pot to 45 minutes, high pressure. After the cooking time is completed, let the steam naturally release.
Shredding the Perfect Pork
Once your pork is cooked to perfection, let it cool a bit and then transfer it to a bowl. Use two forks to shred the pork into small pieces. If you really want to feel like a carnivore, grab yourself a set of these Meat Claws– they make quick work of shredding all types of meat and keeping the delicious texture in tact!
If you aren’t a bear claw kind of person, here’s another weird way to shred your meat. This may sound a little out there, but if you have a stand mixer (or even a hand mixer), you can use it to make quick work of your shredding. This works on beef and chicken, too! I use this attachment for this trick: Flex Edge Attachment
Final Steps
Finally, return the shredded pork to the slow cooker or Instant Pot for a final toss in that yummy chipotle mixture. Remember to take out those whole peppers if you used them!
Now you’re ready to serve up your tender, juicy, amazing chipotle pulled pork! Enjoy with your favorite toppings like freshly chopped cilantro, diced avocado and sour cream.
Serve with Slaw
Plus, using an Instant Pot or slow cooker makes it super simple for those days when you’re schedule has you running. And the best part? You can enjoy your sweet and smokey masterpiece with all the fixings and flavors you love, making it a great meal to share with family and friends. So next time you’re in the kitchen, why not try your hand at making chipotle pulled pork? You won’t be disappointed!
Some folks prefer a tart and tangy slaw- a little more southern style. If you’re looking for slaw with a little more punch, try this zesty Cilantro Lime Slaw from Ali over at Gimme Some Oven.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Smokey sweet heat! My goodness, I cannot get enough of this chipotle flavor! Talk about easy-this recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that will surely satisfy your cravings. With its smoky yet subtly spicy flavor, this dish really stands out from the rest. The adobo sauce and Dr. Pepper help the pork tenderize and sweeten leaving you with mouth-watering shredded pork.
Plus, using an Instant Pot or slow cooker makes it super simple for those days when you’re schedule has you running. And the best part? You can enjoy your sweet and smokey masterpiece with all the fixings and flavors you love, making it a great meal to share with family and friends. So next time you’re in the kitchen, why not try your hand at making chipotle pulled pork? You won’t be disappointed!
Different Ways to Eat This
With the versatility of this dish, there’s no reason not to give chipotle pulled pork a try. Whether you’re looking for a simple meal or something special for your family and friends, this recipe is sure to please. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking and enjoy!
