One of my big dislikes of slow cooker recipes is that many of them call for opening a can of soup and pouring it on top of something. After I began paying attention to the ingredients listed on cans of soup, I realized I didn’t want to cook like that. While I try to avoid canned foods in general, there’s really nothing easier when putting together a dinner in the morning before a busy day – especially if all you have to do is open and pour!
My alternative to “opening and pouring canned foods” into my slow cooker is opening salsa that comes in a glass jar. The brand I like is Herdez because it doesn’t have preservatives and is made with the same ingredients I use at home when making a batch of salsa verde (green salsa).
There’s no getting around pan searing the pork before it goes into the slow cooker. If you missed why it’s important – why you should pan sear when using a slow cooker – it really makes a difference in taste.
Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork
This recipe couldn’t be easier and it’s so tasty! It feeds a lot of people if you’re having a big party – but it freezes easily, too.
Ingredients
- Pork shoulder (4lb-6lb, bone in or no bone – either is fine)
- salt/pepper to season the pork
- 1 jar of salsa verde – green salsa – 16 ounces ( I prefer glass jars to canned goods)
Directions
- Cut the pork into 4-6 pieces and salt/pepper generously.
- Pan sear the pork pieces – follow these directions pan sear when using slow cooker
- Place pork in bottom of slow cooker.
- Pour jar of salsa over pork.
- Turn slow cooker to high for 6 hours.
- When pork is done, use 2 forks to shred the meat.
- Serve with pinto beans, tortillas, fresh salsa and cheese – taco bar!
Notes:
- Look for “all natural” pork – no hormones, no antibiotics, no artificial ingredients added.
- Look for salsa verde – in a glass jar – that doesn’t contain preservatives or other junk.
- Remove the bone and make broth with it – follow these directions for chicken broth but use the pork bone instead.
That’s it – Mexican pulled pork and it couldn’t be any easier – or tastier! Try it – you’ll love it!
A PDF version of this recipe is available here: Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork
What’s your favorite recipe to make in a slow cooker?
Go Gingham related links:
Pumpkin and squash soup – it’s easy and delicious!
Lentils and pork – lentils are similar to beans but there’s no soaking
Sour cream chipotle sauce that is an excellent dip
Grilled vegetables – on the grill – great for summer
The tangiest, yummiest BBQ sauce ever!
Go Gingham 
This sounds yummy–although my husband thinks HE is king of all things pork around here and I have to say, he has excellent grill-master skills with pork. However … between the snow and the temperatures, I don’t think we’ll be grilling much in the near future … maybe I can use your recipe!
It IS a challenge to find the recipes for slow-cookers that don’t involve cans of soup, but there are a few out there. The one I tried last week for pork chops was pretty good, but, as I commented before, I really needed to sear the meat first for a truly excellent meal.
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Kris, what is it with husbands and their meat grilling skills? Mine’s a “Grill Master” also – although he really is – LOL!
This recipe couldn’t be any easier and you’re right – it’s tough to grill when there’s snow on the ground or while it’s raining.
We’re hosting our dinner group this weekend and I’m crossing my finger that it’s not raining so we can grill. Of course there’s still snow on the ground so we shall see!
Can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you. Yes, please, pan sear, first. 🙂
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Adding this recipe to my menu! And I promise to pan sear before dumping into my slow cooker. Thanks for another easy, yummy recipe, Sara!
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Well done, Vanessa! You’re smart to pan sear – it will taste much better. When I’m in a hurry and skip it, it’s not quite as good.
You’re so welcome on the recipe. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
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