Pulled Pork with Caramelized Onions

(from largomason’s recipe box)

Traditional pulled pork is barbecued, which gives it a smoky flavor. But the slow cooker happens to be the absolute easiest way to cook pulled pork—and you can get a hint of smoke by adding chipotle chile. Serve the pulled pork with potato salad, collard greens and grits. Or make it into a sandwich and serve it on a bun with coleslaw.

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 1, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To finish, bring the sauce to a simmer and continue with Steps 2 & 3. The cooked pork can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. | Equipment: 4-quart or larger slow cooker

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup raw cane sugar, such as Demerara or turbinado (see Notes)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar
  • 1 cup chili sauce, such as
  • 1 1/2-3 teaspoons minced chipotle chile in adobo sauce (see Notes)
  • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or blade (butt) roast, trimmed
  • Notes: Raw cane sugar (such as Sugar in the Raw) is steam-cleaned, coarse-grained and light brown in color, with a slight molasses flavor. Find it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets or at natural-foods stores. Chipotle chiles in adobo sauc

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 3 to 6 minutes. Add sugar and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes more. Add garlic, oregano, pepper and salt and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add vinegar and bring to a boil. Cook until mostly evaporated, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in chili sauce and chipotle to taste.

  2. Place pork in a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker and cover with the sauce. Cover and cook until the pork is almost falling apart, about 4 hours on High or 8 hours on Low.

  3. Transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred using two forks. Stir back into the sauce.

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