Chipotle Pork

Chipotle Pork is the culinary hug you didn’t know you needed. Think tender, smoky pork with just the right kick of spice that makes your taste buds do a happy dance. I’ve found myself turning to this recipe whenever life demands comfort but also wants a little zing. You should definitely try it if your dinner routine’s been feeling a bit yawn-inducing lately.  

Honestly, this dish is a big hit in our house. My husband, the biggest critic of them all, has this little ritual where he takes his first bite and does this dramatic pause followed by, “Wow. You’ve outdone yourself.” My little one’s not much for spice, but even she dives into the pork once the heat calms down with a dollop of sour cream. It’s been on rotation on our weekly menu ever since the first try. Real talk—it’s become as much of a staple as our beloved Taco Tuesdays.

Why You’ll Love This Chipotle Pork

– It’s got that irresistible smoky-spicy flavor that just wraps you up like a warm blanket.
– You can pretend you’re a BBQ master without actually owning a smoker.
– It’s the kind of dish that makes you go, “Why don’t I do this more often?” at every bite.
– Leftovers the next day? Even better. Seriously.

How to Make It

Alright, here’s where the magic happens. Grab your pork and slather it—no holding back—with a smoky chipotle sauce made from scratch. Feel free to make it as messy as you like, hands in there, it’s part of the process! Once it’s all nicely coated, let it sit (hello, marinade!) because it needs that spa time to soak in all the flavors. When you’re ready to cook, and life gives you distractions, just pop it in the oven and let it work its magic. Check it occasionally, and don’t be afraid to add more sauce if it looks like it’s getting thirsty.

Ingredient Notes

– **Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce:** The star of the show. Gives it that unique kick but don’t go overboard unless you’re inviting a fire-breathing dragon to dinner.
– **Pork shoulder:** Ideally what you want here, it’s your trusty canvas. Tender and flavorful.
– **Brown sugar:** Balances out the heat like a sweet little safety net. I once accidentally used twice the sugar… let’s just say it was dessert pork.

Recipe Steps:

1. Slather pork with a generous amount of chipotle sauce.
2. Let it marinate for a few hours or overnight (like a spa treatment but for meat).
3. Bake in the oven until fork-tender and drool-worthy.
4. Occasionally baste with extra sauce if needed.

What to Serve It With

Tips & Mistakes

– If you’re not into spice, dial the chipotle down a notch or two. Don’t need tears with dinner unless they’re happy ones.
– Check on it often if you can remember, and sneak in more sauce if it’s drying up.

Storage Tips

Toss any leftovers you miraculously have into an airtight container and chuck it in the fridge. Eating it cold at midnight straight from the fridge is a surprising guilty pleasure. No judgment here—totally speaking from experience.

Variations and Substitutions

If the chipotle’s too intense, you could try half the amount and add a splash of lime juice for a citrusy twist. Tried skipping the brown sugar once, added a little honey instead, and it worked like a charm. On lazy days, I’ve even skipped marinating—worked, but not as whoa-inducing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chipotle Pork

This smoky, spicy chipotle pork is tender, juicy, and perfect for tacos or sandwiches. A bold and flavorful main dish to impress your guests.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 3 lb Pork shoulder
• ▢ 2 tbsp Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce finely chopped
• ▢ 1 tbsp Olive oil
• ▢ 1 tsp Cumin ground
• ▢ 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• ▢ 1.5 tsp Salt
• ▢ 0.5 tsp Black pepper freshly ground
• ▢ 4 cloves Garlic minced
• ▢ 1 cup Chicken broth
• ▢ 2 tbsp Lime juice freshly squeezed

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
• Rub the pork shoulder with olive oil, chipotle peppers, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
• Place the pork in a roasting pan and add garlic and chicken broth around it.
• Cover the pan with foil and roast in the oven for 90 minutes or until the pork is tender.
• Remove pork from oven, shred with forks, and stir in lime juice.
• Serve hot with tortillas, salsa, or your favorite sides.

Notes

Leftovers taste great the next day and can be frozen for up to 3 months.