Carnitas

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce*
• 3 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 3 pounds boneless Boston butt pork roast, cut into 2
• 1 cup beer or chicken broth

Preparation

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a 5-quart slow cooker; stir in pieces of roast. Microwave beer in a 2-cup glass measuring cup on HIGH 2 minutes or until very hot. Pour beer over meat in slow cooker; do not stir. Cover and cook on HIGH for 6 hours or until very tender.
2. Shred meat using 2 forks. Serve hot or see notes below.
3. * We used adobo sauce from canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce.
4. Make-Ahead Note: Transfer meat mixture and juices to a 13" x 9" baking dish; cover and chill overnight. To reheat, crumble meat mixture into a large skillet, and cook over medium-high heat 15 minutes or until browned and hot.
5. Microwave Option: Traditionally, Carnitas are browned in their own drippings until they are crisped and browned. However, reheating the shredded pork in the microwave is an easy alternative. Microwave 6 cups meat mixture on HIGH 6 minutes, stirring once, or until thoroughly heated.