Crock Pot Pulled Pork Nachos with Chimichurri Sauce

It’s not really new news that I love a good old pork shoulder.

In my opinion, you just can’t beat it! Not only are they affordable but there are so many different things you can do with them. Plus, they feed a crowd. I always have a pork shoulder in my freezer because you just never know. Emergency pork shoulders, anyone?

In terms of the meat itself, I do think it’s important to get the best quality you can. I’ve tried a lot of pork and have settled in on Sonoma County Meat Co. as my very favorite. I buy all my bacon, my shoulders and my chops from them. I’m sure you have a good local brand/farm where you live that brings in the bacon, so to speak. 😉 It’s extremely important to me that the meat I buy is local, pastured and humane. I’d rather not eat meat at all if it doesn’t fit with those three criteria.

Anyway, back to my pork shoulder love affair. I have been cooking a ton of shoulders lately – usually in the slow cooker and usually on a Saturday. This time, I decided to do a simple dry rub with spices and brown sugar then cook it low and slow for eight hours before shredding on top of a big pile of nachos. Are you drooling yet?

To brighten up the whole mess, I made a quick chimichurri sauce to drizzle on top because, well, it’s my favorite. My food processor bit the dust a few weeks ago so I just whipped this up in my blender. If you make this, don’t forget the sauce!! It really does make it when you get that bite that has a little bit of everything on it. And by “everything”, I mean chip, pork, beans, cheese, chimichurri sauce, Greek yogurt and salsa. DO IT.

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Crock Pot Pulled Pork with Chimichurri Sauce

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

8 hrs

Total Time

8 hrs 10 mins

 

Course: Main Course

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

• 3 lb boneless pork shoulder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 bunches cilantro, chopped
• 1 serrano pepper, seeds removed and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 lime, juiced
• Greek yogurt (for serving)
• salsa (for serving)
• can of pinto beans (for serving)
• shredded cheddar cheese (for serving)
• 1 package tortilla chips

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt and brown sugar. Rub this all over the pork shoulder. 

   Brown the pork shoulder on all sides over high heat on the stove. Place pork shoulder in the slow cooker with the onions and turn the heat to low for 8 hours.

   After 8 hours is up, shred the pork with a fork and mix it all up with the "pan sauce" that's inside the slow cooker. Keep it warm while you make the chimichurri sauce.

   To make the sauce, blend together the cilantro, olive oil, garlic, sugar, salt and serrano in either a high power blender or a food processor. 

   To assemble the nachos, heat your broiler to high. Spread out the tortilla chips on a large sheet pan. Sprinkle beans over the chips then add the cheese (a few big handfuls should do the trick). Place under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes until the cheese has melted. Top with the shredded pork, some of your favorite salsa, a few big dollops of Greek yogurt and the chimichurri sauce.