SHREDDED PORK AND PINEAPPLE TACOS

Shredded Pork and Pineapple Tacos image

Provided by Kelsey Nixon

Time 10h25m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

Ingredients

One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
One 3-pound pork shoulder (or butt), trimmed of excess fat
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
5 cloves garlic, minced or grated
2 yellow onions, diced
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup lime juice
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 jalapeno, seeded and sliced
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced (about 3/4 cup)
Sixteen 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
2 cups 1/2-inch diced fresh pineapple
Fresh cilantro sprigs, for serving
Shredded red cabbage, for serving
Cotija cheese, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Kosher salt
Guacamole, for serving, optional
Pico de gallo, for serving, optional

Steps:

For the slow-cooker shredded pork: Combine the tomato sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, coriander and cumin in the base of your slow cooker. Stir to combine and distribute the spices evenly. Sprinkle the pork with salt and pepper and place it in the slow cooker. Using tongs, turn the pork to coat it evenly in the sauce. Add in the garlic and onions, stir again. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook until the pork is tender and beginning to fall apart, on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 6 hours. Transfer the pork to a serving bowl. Allow to cool slightly, and then shred using 2 forks, removing any excess fat. Skim any excess fat off of the sauce remaining in the slow cooker. Stir in the lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Add the shredded pork back into the slow cooker and mix it with the sauce that was created during the cooking. You can store the pork in its sauce for 3 to 4 days.
For the pickled red onions: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the lime juice, sugar, vinegar and jalapeno to a simmer, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, add the sliced onions and pour the vinegar mixture over the onions. Cover with plastic wrap and let cool for about 20 minutes. Discard the liquid before using.
For the tacos: Assemble the tacos using the warm tortillas and half of the shredded pork (about 1 1/2 pounds). Top with the pineapple, cilantro, cabbage, cheese, Pickled Red Onions and a squeeze of lime juice. Season with salt. Reserve the remaining pork for another use. Serve alongside guacamole and pico de gallo, if desired.