Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Enchiladas

Name: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Enchiladas
Prep time: 1 h 35 min
Total time: 9 h 35 min
Yield: 10 (7-inch) enchiladas
Ingredients: 2 1/2 to 3 pounds pork shoulder; 2 large tomatoes, cored and quartered lengthwise; 10 whole dried New Mexico chiles, stems and seeds removed; 6 whole dried arbol chiles, stems and seeds removed; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; 1 cup water; 1 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, plus more for serving; 1 large yellow onion, peeled and quartered through the root end; 2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and lightly smashed; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 10 (7-inch) flour or corn tortillas; 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 1/2 cup sour cream, for serving

Pork Enchiladas Mexican Tex-Mex Slow Cooking Slow Cookers Pulled Pork Main Dish Easy Medium

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10 (7-inch) enchiladas Easy

Total: 1 hr 35 mins, plus 8 to 10 hrs in the slow cooker Active: 1 hr 35 mins

23 Ratings

Ingredients (16)

2 1/2 to 3 pounds pork shoulder
2 large tomatoes, cored and quartered lengthwise
10 whole dried New Mexico chiles, stems and seeds removed
6 whole dried arbol chiles, stems and seeds removed
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup cilantro leaves and tender stems, plus more for serving
1 large yellow onion, peeled and quartered through the root end
2 medium garlic cloves, peeled and lightly smashed
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 (7-inch) flour or corn tortillas
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream, for serving

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Nutritional Information

Calories421
Fat27.12g
Saturated fat10.11g
Trans fat0.07g
Carbs17.16g
Fiber2.89g
Sugar3.59g
Protein26.8g
Cholesterol99.36mg
Sodium360.6mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (10 servings) Powered by

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Sometimes the slow cooker is a source of easy, one-crock meals; other times it’s merely a crucial stop in a longer journey. These rich, comforting enchiladas are in the latter category: Pork shoulder, dried chiles, and tomatoes slowly turn luscious over as many as 10 hours in the slow cooker, then get turned into a memorable filling, rolled into sauce-dipped tortillas and baked under a blanket of cheese. Serve these on a Sunday afternoon with a refreshing tangle of jicama and orange salad and a pitcher of agua de Jamaica or beer.

Game plan: Cook the pork shoulder up to 2 days before you need it, remove it from the cooking liquid, let it cool for an hour, and refrigerate both the meat and liquid overnight. Skimming the fat is a breeze after it’s solidified, and rolling and baking the enchiladas will take no time at all.

For a veggie version, see our classic cheese enchilada recipe, or get even more ways to use pulled pork that aren’t sandwiches.

by Chris Rochelle

Tips for Pork and Pulled Pork

Tip

How to Freeze Pork

Pork fares best in the freezer if packaged with freezer-friendly materials like waxed paper, aluminum foil, or heavy-duty plastic bags. Wrap any meat tightly so that air does not escape and freeze at 0°F. Generally, fresh cuts of pork can last up to six months, while ground pork can last up to three.

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Next: How to Thaw Pork

Tip

How to Thaw Pork

Pork is easiest to thaw when placed in the refrigerator in its original wrapping. Small roasts will take three to five hours per pound, while larger roasts can take up to seven hours per pound. Thawing ground pork depends entirely on the thickness of its packaging.

It is safe to cook frozen or partially-frozen pork, but its cooking time may take 50 percent longer. Frozen pork should not be cooked in a slow cooker.

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Next: How to Store Pork

Tip

How to Store Pork

Sealed pork products can typically last in the fridge for two to four days, with ground pork having a slightly shorter shelf life at one to three. Ham or other smoked pork products like bacon can be stored for up to a week, though this only applies to products that aren’t vacuum sealed or prepared with preservatives. The latter can obviously last a lot longer.

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Next: How to Store Pulled Pork

Tip

How to Store Pulled Pork

As with other cooked meats, pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator. It should, however, be consumed or frozen within a few days.

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Next: How to Freeze Pulled Pork

Tip

How to Freeze Pulled Pork

Because pulled pork is typically made in a slow cooker, chances are likely that you'll have excess meat. Cooled pork can be transferred to freezer bags, but be sure to leave at least an inch of space from the top. The frozen pork will expand and this will prevent the bag from splitting. You can also use airtight freezer containers.

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Next: How to Thaw Pulled Pork

Tip

How to Thaw Pulled Pork

The most effective way to thaw your bags of pulled pork is to place them in a saucepan of simmering water. You'll have hot and steamy, barbecued meat in no time!

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Next: How to Freeze Pork

Instructions

1Put the pork shoulder, tomatoes, dried chiles, vinegar, and water in the crock of a large slow cooker.
2Cook on low until the meat is tender and easy to pull apart, about 8 to 10 hours.
3Preheat the oven to 350°F. Carefully lift the cooked pork out of the slow cooker and transfer it to a large bowl. Use a large spoon to skim the fat from the surface of the cooking liquid in the crock, removing as much (or as little!) as you like. With two forks, shred the meat into large bite-sized pieces, pulled pork style.
4Transfer the skimmed cooking liquid, including the chiles, to a blender. Add the cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt.
5Being careful not to scald yourself with the hot liquid, blend until you have a thick, smooth sauce. You should end up with at least 3 cups.
6Measure 3/4 cup of the sauce and add it to the shredded pork in the bowl, mixing to achieve a nice, moist consistency.
7Spread 1 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
8Pour the remaining sauce into a wide, shallow dish (a pie plate is perfect). Dip a tortilla into the sauce, submerging it so both sides are coated. Drain off the excess sauce, then lay out the dipped tortilla on a work surface. Spoon some of the pulled pork down the center and roll to enclose the filling. Transfer to the prepared baking dish, seam-side down. Repeat with the remaining tortillas. Evenly distribute the remaining sauce over the rolled enchiladas and top with the cheeses.
9Bake, uncovered, until heated through and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the enchiladas rest for 10 minutes before serving, so they’re easier to handle. Serve with sour cream and cilantro.
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