Authentic Cochinita Pibil (Spicy Mexican Pulled Pork)

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 380 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

This authentic cochinita pibil recipe cooks pork shoulder in a sauce of orange juice, guajillo chile peppers, vinegar, garlic, and achiote paste.

Ingredients

1 red onion, sliced thin
3 habanero peppers, sliced
10 limes, juiced
salt to taste
3 ounces dried guajillo chile peppers, seeded and deveined
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste
3 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 cups fresh orange juice
1 cup white vinegar
1 bulb garlic, peeled
7 1/2 ounces achiote paste

Directions

1 Combine onion, habanero peppers, lime juice, and salt in a bowl; cover and refrigerate while preparing and cooking pork. Use rubber gloves when preparing habanero peppers and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or skin while slicing peppers.
2 Place guajillo peppers in a bowl; pour enough hot water over peppers to cover. Allow to soak until peppers are softened, about 10 minutes.
3 Heat oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat. Season pork with salt and pepper; cook in hot oil until completely browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer pork to a slow cooker.
4 Combine guajillo peppers, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, and achiote paste in a blender; blend until smooth. Pour sauce over pork cubes in the slow cooker.
5 Cook on High until pork easily falls apart, 6 to 8 hours. Remove pork to a serving dish and shred with 2 forks. Pour achiote sauce over shredded pork. To serve, top with the onion-habanero salsa.