Imagine walking into your kitchen and being greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of tender, perfectly seasoned pulled pork that's been slow-cooking all day. These Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Fajitas are about to become your new obsession - a Mexican-inspired dish that promises maximum flavor with minimal effort. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or hosting a casual dinner party, this recipe will have everyone begging for seconds and wondering how you created such culinary magic with just a few simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 8 hrs
Total Time: 8 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork shoulder
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning
- 8 tortillas
- Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Slice the onion and bell pepper into thin strips, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- In a small bowl, combine the fajita seasoning with a tablespoon of water to create a paste. This will help the seasoning adhere to the pork shoulder.
- Take the pork shoulder and pat it dry with paper towels. Rub the fajita seasoning paste all over the pork, ensuring it is evenly coated on all sides.
- Place the sliced onion and bell pepper at the bottom of the slow cooker. This will create a flavorful base for the pork to cook on.
- Carefully place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the onions and bell peppers in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 8 hours. This low and slow cooking method will ensure the pork becomes tender and easy to shred.
- Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the pork shoulder from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Allow it to rest for a few minutes.
- While the pork rests, you can use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked onions and bell peppers from the slow cooker and set them aside.
- Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large pieces of fat. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix it with the remaining juices and vegetables.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable. This will make them easier to fold and fill.
- To assemble the fajitas, place a generous portion of the pulled pork mixture onto each tortilla. Top with your choice of optional toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
- Fold the tortillas around the filling and serve the pulled pork fajitas warm, garnished with additional toppings if desired.
Tips
- Choose the right cut: Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is ideal due to its marbling, which ensures tender, juicy meat after slow cooking.
- Seasoning is key: Don't be shy with the fajita seasoning. Creating a paste helps the spices adhere better to the meat and intensifies the flavor.
- Layer for flavor: Placing onions and peppers at the bottom of the slow cooker creates a flavorful base and prevents the meat from sticking.
- Low and slow is the way to go: Cooking on low heat for 8 hours ensures the pork becomes incredibly tender and easy to shred.
- Let it rest: Allow the pork to rest for a few minutes after cooking to help retain its juices when shredding.
- Customize your toppings: While sour cream, guacamole, and salsa are classic, feel free to get creative with additional toppings like chopped cilantro, pickled jalapeños, or fresh lime juice.
- Make ahead friendly: These pulled pork fajitas are perfect for meal prep. The meat can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: 10g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
