Pork Carnitas Nachos

 

1 big bone-in pork shoulder. Use any leftover pork for sandwiches!

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

1 bottle of good flavorful craft beer

1 cup of citrus juice (I use a pineapple/orange juice blend)

2 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons adobo sauce from can

Tortilla chips

Grated Monterey Jack cheese

 

Toppings:

Chopped onion

Sliced red onion

Sliced scallions

Radish, sliced into matchsticks

Fresh cilantro

Diced avocado

Pico de Gallo

Pickled or fresh jalapeno

Lime wedges for squeezing

 

Cutting around the bone, but leaving the bone intact, cut the shoulder into two or three pieces. Generously salt and pepper all sides of the shoulder pieces. In a large skillet with a little oil, brown the pork on all sides. Remove and place into a slow cooker or pressure cooker.

Combine cumin, chili powder, poultry seasoning, garlic and onion powder, oregano and salt and pepper. Sprinkle spice mixture over the pork.

Combine beer, citrus juice, chipotle chiles, lime juice, and adobo sauce. Pour mixture over pork. Cover and cook on High for 6 to 8 hours in a slow cooker or 60-90 minutes in a pressure cooker until pork is tender.

About 5 minutes before the meat is done, pre-heat an oven to 375 degrees.

Remove pork from the cooker. In a large oven proof pan or stainless hotel pan, shred the meat with 2 forks. Combine shredded pork and about 1 cup cooking liquid; toss well. Place in the oven, uncovered and cook, uncovered for about 45 minutes or until the meat is crispy on the edges…carnitas style! If needed, add more cooking liquid while cooking to keep the meat moist. Remove the meat from the oven when done and lower the heat to 350 degrees.

Layer tortilla chips on the bottom of an oven proof platter or pan or cast-iron skillet. Top the chips with meat and cheese and heat in the oven until the cheese is melted.

Top the nachos with your favorite toppings and enjoy!