Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience with this mouthwatering Shredded Pork with Hot Sauce recipe! Imagine tender, juicy pork that literally falls apart, drenched in a spicy, tangy sauce that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds. Whether you're a spice lover or just looking to elevate your home cooking game, this recipe is about to become your new go-to crowd-pleaser that's surprisingly simple to make.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup hot sauce
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut into large chunks, approximately 2-3 inch pieces.
- Season the pork chunks generously with salt, pepper, and cumin, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
- Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves, preparing them for the slow cooking process.
- Place the seasoned pork chunks into a slow cooker or large Dutch oven.
- Sprinkle the chopped onions and minced garlic over the pork pieces.
- Pour the hot sauce evenly over the pork, making sure all meat is well-coated.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat, cooking for 6 hours until the pork is extremely tender and easily falls apart.
- After cooking, use two forks to shred the pork directly in the cooking liquid, mixing the meat with the sauce.
- Let the shredded pork rest in the sauce for 10-15 minutes to absorb additional flavor.
- Serve hot with rice, in tacos, on sandwiches, or as desired.
Tips
- Choose the Right Cut: Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is ideal for this recipe due to its high fat content, which ensures incredibly tender and flavorful meat.
- Low and Slow is the Way to Go: Resist the temptation to rush the cooking process. The 6-hour slow cooking time is crucial for breaking down the meat's connective tissues and creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Customize Your Heat Level: Not a fan of super spicy food? You can adjust the hot sauce quantity or choose a milder variety to suit your taste preferences.
- Don't Discard the Cooking Liquid: The sauce created during cooking is packed with flavor. Use it to keep the meat moist when serving or as a delicious dipping sauce.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This dish actually tastes even better the next day, so it's perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd. Simply store in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
- Versatile Serving Suggestions: Beyond tacos and sandwiches, try this shredded pork over nachos, in quesadillas, or as a topping for baked potatoes for endless meal variations.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 527kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 56g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 160mg
