I love using my slow cooker year round. In the winter it warms the house with the comforting aromas of spices, and in the summer it helps keep the kitchen cool, and the best part, it does all the work for me.
But strangely, I haven’t been using mine that much lately. I love cooking on the stove and oven, but the truth is, the slow cooker is a wonderful appliance for busy moms like me. You throw in a few things, cover it with the lid, and 6-8 hours later, you have something delicious to eat. It took this Colombian-Style Pulled Pork to remind me of just how magical the slow cooker can be.
For this pulled pork recipe, I used a seasoning mixture commonly used in Colombian cooking on meats, consisting of ground cumin, ground achiote, scallions, garlic, onions and beer. The pork turned out tender with a wonderful flavor. This time I used the pork to make Pulled Pork Arepas with Avocado and Pink Sauce (Salsa Rosada). A simple and quick weeknight dinner, lunch or even breakfast, if you like.
Buen provecho!
Ingredients
(4 to 6 servings)
- 1 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground achiote
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- Salt and ground pepper
- 6 garlic cloves
- 5 scallions
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 about 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- 1 cup of dark beer
Directions
- Combine the paprika, achiote, cumin, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork.
- Add the onions, garlic, scallions , beer and 1/2 cup of water to the slow cooker and whisk to combine. Add the pork, cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove the pork and transfer to a cutting board. Strain the liquid into a saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pull the pork using two forks and mix in a bowl with about 1 cup of the reduced cooking liquid. Serve on buns or with arepas.
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Belinda @zomppa says
That dark beer must be the secret! This seriously may be my crock pot to go tomorrow.
Diana says
When do you put the garlic and onions?
Erica Dinho says
Diana- Step 2!
grace says
there are so many fantastic things you can do with some juicy pulled pork. it’s a favorite!
Chris says
I like that seasoning mix for pork. I might try to use the liquids as a marinade, then use the rub and smoke my pork. That way I get the flavors plus the smoke. Great post, Erica.
Norma - Platanos, Mangoes and Me! says
Erica who does not like port especially this version…
Linda says
I like it… what is a slow cooker called in Colombia? What brand do you have/recommend. Does Home Center has it? Where can you buy it cheaper?
Sorry do the questions…
Erica Dinho says
Hi Linda,
I don’t live in Colombia, but I can check for you!
Cattie says
Do you think it would taste awful with water instead of beer? Or is there something else that would work? I’m allergic to beer…
So happy I found your blog! I have a million food allergies and am always trying to find things I can eat, and it turns out Colombian cuisine uses a lot of ingredients I have never tried (and presumably, my body does not know to react to it). Can’t wait to try making arepas! 🙂
Erica Dinho says
You can replace it for water or vegetable stock.
Cheryl says
You can also use soda. I would suggest root beer, or Coca Cola. Some fruity sodas are good, too, but sometimes pork absorbs the fruit flavor, and if it’s not what you’re shooting for, it can be a bit surprising to have orange tinted pulled pork. 🙂
Kim says
Do you have a favorite beer for the sauce?
Erica Dinho says
No, I like to use dark beer.You can use your favorite.
Sandra says
Do you serve the pulled pork on arepas con queso or without cheese?
Erica Dinho says
Both ways.
Anonymous says
Thank you for replying. And thank you for sharing your recipes. I have a Colombian daughter in law and I am using your recipes to cook for her at Xmas. Treated a few already and they are great