Faux Smoked Pulled Pork (Carnitas)

Liquid smoke adds faux smoky flavor to this pork seasoned liberally with a spice rub and slow-cooked until it pulls apart into carnitas.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 6 hr 12 mins
• Total Time: 6 hr 32 mins
• Calories: 309 Calories

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 cups water
• salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon mustard seed
• 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
• 1 (3 pound) pork butt roast, or more to taste
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 dried chipotle chile peppers, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix brown sugar, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, oregano, onion powder, mustard seed, black pepper, cumin, coriander, and salt together in a small bowl.

Step 2

Rub pork roast liberally with brown sugar mixture.

Step 3

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add pork roast; cook until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Step 4

Transfer pork to a slow cooker. Add water, liquid smoke, and chipotle peppers.

Step 5

Cook on Low until pork is tender, about 6 hours. Transfer pork to a cutting board and pull apart with tongs.