Pineapple Pulled Pork Al Pastor
Description
Despite the long grilling time, Chef's John's pineapple-brined pulled pork is easy to assemble and hard to mess up thanks to a flavorful al pastor spice rub and pineapple salsa.
Ingredients
•
9 pounds bone-in pork shoulder roast
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1 cup kosher salt
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1 quart pineapple juice
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3 quarts cold water
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2 tablespoons kosher salt
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1/4 cup ancho chili powder
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1 tablespoon ground chipotle pepper
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1 tablespoon garlic powder
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1 tablespoon ground cumin
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2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano
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1/2 pineapple, cut into rings, or to taste
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1 serrano pepper, finely chopped
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2 tablespoons diced roasted red peppers
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1/4 cup chopped cilantro
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1/4 cup rice vinegar
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salt to taste
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12 hamburger buns, split
Directions
1
Place pork in a large brining vessel. Cut a few slashes into fat side of pork.
2
Whisk salt, pineapple juice, and water together in a large bowl. Pour brine over pork. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours.
3
Combine salt, ancho powder, chipotle powder, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon, and oregano together for the rub.
4
Remove pork from brine and place on a deep baking pan lined with foil. Season generously with spice rub. Reserve remaining spice rub for another use.
5
Preheat a charcoal grill between 300 to 325 degrees F (150 to 175 degrees C). Place 2 bricks on the grate, if you like, and place the baking pan on top.
6
Grill, occasionally spooning rendered juices over meat, until very tender, about 7 hours. Make sure to maintain the same 25-degree range in temperature by adjusting the vents under, and on top of the grill, or smoker. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of pork should read 195 degrees F (91 degrees C).
7
Remove pan from the grill, wrap top in foil, and let rest for 1 hour. Meanwhile, cook pineapple over the last of the coals until nicely charred, 7 to 10 minutes.
8
Dice grilled pineapple to get about 2 cups. Combine in a bowl with serrano pepper, red peppers, cilantro, and rice vinegar. Season with salt and a pinch of leftover spice rub.
9
Remove pork bone and pull meat apart. Add to a bowl with some of the rendered fat; pull apart with 2 forks. Place some pork over each bottom bun, top with pineapple salsa, and cover with other half bun.