Slow Cooker Sweet Tomatillo Chipotle Pork
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
9 hrs
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Total Time
9 hrs 20 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Course
Main Course
Slow Cooker Sweet Tomatillo Chipotle Pork
Description
The Slow Cooker Sweet Tomatillo Chipotle Pork recipe begins by browning a pork sirloin roast seasoned with kosher salt and pepper. Onions and garlic cook briefly before brown sugar, canned chipotle chiles, salt, and pepper join to form a flavorful base. Freshly prepared tomatillos, halved or quartered to maintain texture, and chicken broth complete the slow cooker contents. Cooking on low heat for 8–10 hours slowly breaks down the pork to tender, shreddable meat while the tomatillos and chipotle meld into a mildly smoky, sweet, and tangy sauce.
The dish is characterized by tender pulled pork with a sweet, smoky, and slightly acidic flavor from the tomatillos and chipotle, rounded by the caramel notes of brown sugar. The slow cooking allows deep flavor penetration and a moist texture.
This pork is suitable served atop hot rice or quinoa, and can also be used as a filling for burritos, tacos, enchiladas, or atop green salads. Its flexibility makes it fitting for various meals. Leftovers freeze well, maintaining flavor and texture.
Pork sirloin roast offers a balanced lean and tender texture; other cuts can work but results may vary.Use jarred chopped chipotle chiles to avoid waste and ensure availability.Halve or quarter tomatillos for optimal cooking and flavor integration without excessive break-down.Leftover pork freezes well for easy reheating and meal prep.
Ingredients
- 3 to 5 to 5 pound pork sirloin roast see note for other cuts of pork
- kosher salt coarse
- black pepper coarse
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped, large
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar or dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chipotle chiles canned
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2-3 pounds tomatillos about 20-25 tomatillos, husks removed, washed well, and cut in half (or quartered if they are large)
- 1 cup chicken broth low-sodium
- rice hot cooked, for serving
Instructions
- Season all sides of the pork roast with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium or medium-high heat until the oil is hot and rippling. Add the roast and brown on each side until golden, about 1-2 minutes each side.
- Transfer the roast to the insert of a slow cooker.
- Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low and add the chopped onions to the skillet (if the skillet is very dry, add another teaspoon or so of oil). Cook the onions, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or so.
- Stir in the brown sugar, chipotle chiles, salt, and pepper.
- Scrape the mixture into the slow cooker with the pork.
- Add the halved (or quartered) tomatillos to the slow cooker, nestling them on the sides of the pork so they aren't all piled on top, and pour in the broth.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Shred the pork (if the pork is lean and boneless, it can be done right in the slow cooker with two forks) and return it to the slow cooker, tossing it with the cooking liquid and tomatillos. Serve over hot, cooked rice (the pork filling is also delicious in burritos, tacos, on top of salad, etc.).
Notes
- For balance between lean and tenderness, use a pork sirloin roast but other cuts can be used with adjusted expectations.
- Jarred chopped chipotle chiles keep well and prevent waste compared to small canned portions.
- Halve or quarter tomatillos to let them cook down properly without disintegrating completely.
- The finished pork is great served over rice or as a filling for tacos and burritos.
- Freezes well for later meals.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 Serving | |
| Calories | 358kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 18g | 6% |
| Protein | 54g | 108% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 141mg | 47% |
| Sodium | 465mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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