Braised Pork Carne Asada {Slowcooker}

Slowcooker Braised Pork Carne Asada

     I am a sharing a family favorite.  Traditional Asada is grilled usually to bring out flavors with a bold marinade or rub.  This Braised Pulled Pork Carne Asada is actually braised in a pan on the stove-top to seal in flavors, rubbed with bold spices and set in a slow cooker all day to tenderize the meat to the point where it is "fork tender" and can be shredded before serving.  I serve this dish "family style" with flour tortillas, black olives, cheeses, tomatoes, sour cream, avocado slices, fresh shredded lettuce, onion and a side of sauce/s {green chile sauce is great with this} It's a build-your-own dinner and the taste is wildly intense and flavorful ~Enjoy! Diane 

"Braising is simply a cooking method that involves browning meat in oil, then cooking it in a small amount of liquid in a tightly covered pan, either on the stove-top"

Braised Pork Carne Asada {Slowcooker} 
Ingredients: 
3 1/2 Lbs Boneless Pork:  Butt, Loin, Shoulder or Similar
2 Tbs vegetable oil

Rub:
4 Tbs chili powder
1/2  Tbs kosher salt
2  tsp ground cumin
1  tsp cayenne
1  tsp onion powder
1  tsp garlic powder
1/4  tsp cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves

2 cups chicken stock or broth

Directions:
    Using paper-towel, pat meat dry, place vegetable oil in pan on stove-top, and sear over medium-high heat until each side of your cut of meat is browned (make sure to have a splatter guard/lid handy as oil is hot and can pop)  Sear each side about 4 mins - browning the meat as you turn pork over.  Once all sides are browned, place meat into slow-cooker that has the 2 cups of chicken stock/broth added to it.  In a small bowl, mix together all your rub spices and sprinkle all over your cut of meat in slow-cooker, gently rub into all surfaces of the browned pork.  Place the lid on slow-cooker to lock in steam/moisture and set to Medium and cook, 8-10 hours. (High setting cooks in approx 6-8 hours) the lower and slower you can cook this - the better tasting. You want to be able to use two forks to pull apart and shred the meat right in your slow cooker, and mix into any liquid remaining in slow-cooker.  Serve hot with your favorite flour tortillas and toppings. 

Recipe and Photos by: Diane Baker for Canning and Cooking at Home 

Braised Pork Carne Asada

Braising

Rubbed with Spices