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Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Pork

Slow cooker salsa verde pork taco with cilantro and cotija cheese garnish.

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This easy slow cooker recipe transforms simple ingredients into incredibly tender, flavorful pork. The salsa verde infuses the meat with herbal notes for a comforting, hands-off meal perfect for busy days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3-4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed and cut into 3-4 large chunks
  • 1 (16-ounce) jar salsa verde
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
  • Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)

Instructions

  1. Place the sliced onions and minced garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  2. Pat the pork chunks dry. In a small bowl, mix the cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the pork.
  3. Place the seasoned pork on top of the onions and garlic. Pour the entire jar of salsa verde over the pork.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender.
  5. Use two forks to shred the pork directly in the slow cooker. Stir in the fresh cilantro and lime juice.
  6. For a thicker sauce (optional), mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water. Stir into the pork, set cooker to HIGH, and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes until thickened.

Notes

Pork shoulder is ideal for tenderness. For a leaner option, use pork tenderloin and reduce cook time to 3-4 hours on LOW. The fresh lime and cilantro added at the end are essential for bright flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt after shredding.

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