Salsa Verde Braised Pork
Leigh Beisch; Merilee Bordin
Total Time 4 hrs

This salsa verde braised pork is a Southwestern-inspired way to prepare Boston butt.  Braising the pork—simmering it for a long time in liquid under cover, with browning for flavor—makes it fork-tender.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Trim excess pork fat. Put meat in a large casserole or Dutch oven with salsa, onion, broth, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oregano. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is very tender when pierced, about 3 hours.

Step 2
2

Preheat oven to 375°. With 2 wide spatulas, transfer meat to a rimmed baking pan. Bake until richly browned, 30 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, skim and discard fat from pan juices. Boil juices, stirring, until reduced to 2 3/4 cups, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 4
4

With 2 forks, tear meat into large shreds. Add to pan and stir in chopped cilantro. Season with salt. Spoon into a serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro leaves. Serve with tortillas and more salsa verde.

Step 5
5

Note: Nutrition analysis is per serving.

Step 6
6

Slow-cooker Salsa Verde Pork: Put trimmed pork in a slow cooker (5 to 6 qt.) and turn heat to high. In a pan, bring salsa, onion, broth, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oregano to a boil. Pour over pork, cover, and cook until meat is very tender when pierced and registers at least 165° on an instant-read thermometer, at least 7 or up to 9 hours. Continue recipe with step 2, using a large pot for step

Ingredients

 3 1/2 pounds bone-in pork shoulder (aka pork butt)
 1 bottle (15 oz.) salsa verde
 1 medium onion, finely chopped
 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
 1 teaspoon dried oregano
 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus some leaves
  Salt

Directions

Step 1
1

Trim excess pork fat. Put meat in a large casserole or Dutch oven with salsa, onion, broth, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oregano. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is very tender when pierced, about 3 hours.

Step 2
2

Preheat oven to 375°. With 2 wide spatulas, transfer meat to a rimmed baking pan. Bake until richly browned, 30 minutes.

Step 3
3

Meanwhile, skim and discard fat from pan juices. Boil juices, stirring, until reduced to 2 3/4 cups, 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 4
4

With 2 forks, tear meat into large shreds. Add to pan and stir in chopped cilantro. Season with salt. Spoon into a serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro leaves. Serve with tortillas and more salsa verde.

Step 5
5

Note: Nutrition analysis is per serving.

Step 6
6

Slow-cooker Salsa Verde Pork: Put trimmed pork in a slow cooker (5 to 6 qt.) and turn heat to high. In a pan, bring salsa, onion, broth, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oregano to a boil. Pour over pork, cover, and cook until meat is very tender when pierced and registers at least 165° on an instant-read thermometer, at least 7 or up to 9 hours. Continue recipe with step 2, using a large pot for step

Salsa Verde Braised Pork

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