Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Bowls

Al Pastor is a classic Mexican dish, traditionally made by slow-roasting marinated pork on a spit, resulting in tender, flavorful meat with a sweet and tangy twist. This slow-cooker version brings the delicious flavors of Al Pastor to your home with minimal effort. The pork is marinated in a blend of pineapple, chili peppers, and spices, then cooked slowly until it’s fall-apart tender. Served over a bed of rice or quinoa and topped with fresh vegetables like avocado, pickled onions, and cilantro, these bowls are the perfect combination of savory and fresh for an easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into chunks
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup crushed pineapple
• 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1 tbsp adobo sauce from the chipotles
• 1 tbsp achiote paste (or 2 tsp paprika as a substitute)
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Cooked rice or quinoa, for serving
• Optional toppings: avocado, pickled onions, lime wedges, radishes, salsa

Instructions:

1. Prepare the marinade: In a blender, combine pineapple juice, crushed pineapple, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, achiote paste, apple cider vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
2. Marinate the pork: Place the pork chunks into a large bowl or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the pork, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, in the refrigerator.
3. Cook in the slow cooker: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer the onions to the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the marinated pork and all the marinade into the slow cooker on top of the onions.
4. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easy to shred with a fork.
5. Shred the pork: Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the remaining juices.
6. Assemble the bowls: Serve the shredded Al Pastor pork over cooked rice or quinoa. Top with fresh cilantro, avocado, pickled onions, and your favorite toppings like radishes, lime wedges, or salsa.

Enjoy your flavorful and easy-to-make Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Bowls!