MEXICAN PULLED PORK - YUCATAN STYLE

Mexican Pulled Pork - Yucatan Style image

This is a different style of 'pulled pork' from Southern Mexico that I've modified for the grill. It lacks the authentic banana leaves of the original, but the grill cooks the marinade paste into a delicious 'bark' that brings great flavor to the shredded pork and will definitely impress your friends! We eat this like 'tacos'...

Provided by Brad Nichols

Categories Roasts

Time 13h

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 7-8 lb pork shoulder roast
1 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp Achiote (annatto) paste
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp Kosher salt
1 Tbsp chili powder - preferably ancho
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp oregano
5 clove garlic - quartered into 'slivers'

Steps:

1. Using a sharp knife, deeply pierce the flesh of the pork and insert garlic pieces evenly all over the roast.
2. Combine Achiote paste, cilantro, olive oil, cumin, salt, chile powder, pepper, liquid smoke, cloves, allspice, and oregano in a bowl and mix together to form a marinade 'paste'.
3. Cover pork generously with the seasoning paste. Use it all even if it looks like a lot! Marinade overnight in the refrigerator.
4. Place pork in a shallow foil tray - fat side up - and cook indirectly (meaning the burner(s) directly under the pork are not on, but the others are, and the top is down) on the grill for about 4 hours or until internal temp of about 160 degrees is reached. If using a smaller size roast, reduce the grill time accordingly - just monitor the internal temp.
5. Cover pork (still in its foil tray!) in aluminum foil and leave on the grill for another 60-75 minutes or until internal temp of 195 is reached. This is key - in order to be able to 'shred' pork from a shoulder you need to get the internal temp up to 195. I find those last 30-40 degrees seem to take forever, so I cover with foil to accelerate after it gets to 160. DON'T turn up the grill temperature - that won't work :)!
6. Remove from the grill after reaching 195 degrees and let rest under foil for 10 mins - retain pan drippings.
7. Remove and discard fat and skin and 'shred' the pork into thin strings by pulling it apart with a couple of forks. If you don't get it to 195 degrees, then it won't shred and you'll have to chop it - not a horrible thing, but not as good! Pour about half the pan drippings back over the shredded pork, mix, and serve with warm tortillas your favorite Latin condiments! Enjoy