Barbecue Pork Butt Tacos
(from saymyname’s recipe box)
Source: Tom Douglas' Seattle Kitchen
Serves 6 peopleIngredients
- Spice Rub:
- 1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, toasted and ground
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, toasted and ground
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried ancho chile powder or 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (or more to taste)
- Barbecue:
- 1 (3 lb) pork butt (bone in or bone out)
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- To Serve:
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 12 corn tortillas
- Pico de Gallo:
- 6 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced small
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 jalapeno chile, seeded and minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- kosher salt
Directions
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Fire up your grill.
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Combine all the spice rub ingredients in a bowl.
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Rub the pork butt all over with the spice mixture.
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Grill the pork butt over indirect heat, with the grill covered and the vents fully open.
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To help keep the meat moist, fill a small metal pan with the water, cider, and orange and onion slices and place it under the meat to catch the drippings and provide steam.
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If your grill has a thermometer, keep the temperature of the grill at about 350°.
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Barbecue the pork slowly, turning it occasionally and adding coals as necessary, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the meat is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
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Remove the pork from the grill and wrap it in foil; let meat rest for at least 10 minutes, then slice it across the grain, pulling off and discarding any large chunks of fat.
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Using a large knife or Chinese cleaver, chop the sliced meat into 1/2-inch chunks.
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While the meat is resting, you can fry the tortillas—heat the oil in a saute pan over med-high heat.
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Fry the tortillas until crispy, about a minute per side; drain on paper towels.
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On the plate—set out the crispy tortillas, a platter of chopped pork, and a bowl of pico de gallo (in a small bowl, toss together the tomatoes, onions, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime juice; season to taste with salt; best used the day it is made).
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Allow everyone to make their own tacos.
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You can set out bowls of sour cream, diced avocados, chopped lettuce, cooked pinto or black beans, and grated pepper Jack cheese.
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Don’t forget the Margaritas:-).