• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Mamá Maggie's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Breakfast
    • Chicken
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Vegetarian
    • Healthy
    • Mexican
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Learn
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • Courses
    • Tamales
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Courses
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • Courses
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Pork » Slow Cooker Ancho Pork

    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted November 25, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork is made of tender and juicy meat. Escape the ordinary with each tasty and flavorful bite.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork on a blue plate served next to beans and tortillas.

    Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with the National Pork Board.

    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork served on a blue plate and topped with jalapeno slices.

    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork is perfect for the holidays.

    Like many families, we are not traveling this holiday season. I really wanted to be in Mexico with my father this year, but the Holidays are a little different this year.

    That doesn’t mean we can’t make memories with our families.

    No passport or suitcase required! One taste and you’ll be transported to your family and cultural traditions even when you can’t be with those you love.

    More Mexican Pork Recipes:

    Chuletas a la Mexicana
    Pork Chile Rellenos
    Chile Verde
    Instant Pot Pozole Verde

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for the ancho pork laid out and labeled on a wooden surface.

    These are the ingredients that you will need.

    Pork is a delicious and diverse protein, uniting people through food.

    Here, we have 4 lbs pork butt roast. You can also use pork loin or pork shoulder roasts.

    Either cut will do in this recipe.

    How to Make the Sauce

    Dried anchos with the stems and seeds removed.

    • Start by removing the stem from the ancho chile.
    • Open them up lengthwise and remove the seeds from the inside.

    We are making a basic Adobo Sauce.

    Ancho chiles are not very spicy. They have some heat but not much.

    People like to say they taste like spicy raisins.

    Ancho chiles rehydrating in a stock pot.

    • Place the anchos in hot water.
    • Let sit for 5 minutes, or until pliable.

    Cold water rehydration method: Let sit for 1 hour in cold water, or until pliable.

    Many people do not like this method because it takes a long time, but it does save an extra pot from being washed.

    A collage showing how to make Adobo Sauce.

    • Place all rehydrated ancho chiles, garlic, cinnamon, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin into the blender.
    • Add the vinegar and water.
    • Blend until smooth.

    Save on your cooking time and make this ahead of time.

    A cooking spoon straining the sauce into a metal bowl.

    • Strain the sauce.
    • Discard any remaining chile bits from the strainer.

    This will help make a smoother sauce.

    A cooking brush brushing ancho sauce all over the pork.

    • Cover the pork with the sauce.
    • Brush the sauce all over the pork.

    Pork is a great way to escape the ordinary and into a whole new world of FLAVORS.

    It’s so versatile, and it’s easy to find new recipes using this protein.

    Marinate for 4 hours, or overnight is best. The longer it sits, the better.

    Pork roasts covered in ancho sauce in a slow cooker.

    • Place the sauce and the pork in the slow cooker.
    • Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 6 hours.

    The smell of walking into the kitchen while it’s cooking will make you drool.

    Cooking Pork Temperature: While cuts like pork butt and pork shoulder are safe to eat at 145 degrees F, they’re typically cooked until “tender,” which will be slightly higher than that. Don’t be afraid if your roast reads 170 degrees F or higher after cooking.

    Shredded pork on a plate next to two forks.

    • Once the pork is fully cooked, let it cool slightly.
    • Shred the pork.

    This is ridiculously yummy. Deep with flavors and aromas.

    It’s a unique eating experience that just can’t be beat.

    Shredded Ancho Pork in a slow cooker with its juices.

    • Return the pork to the slow cooker and its juices.
    • Keep warm until ready to serve.

    Tender, succulent, and juicy meat. Be prepared for no leftovers!

    Try these air fryer asparagus as a healthy side dish. 

    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork on a blue plate served next to beans and tortillas.

    Serve with chips, pinto beans, and avocado. Or serve with corn tortillas to make tacos.

    Make new memories this holiday season with this Slow Cooker Ancho Pork. A tasty dish that everyone will enjoy!

    Hungry for More?

    Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube for my latest recipes and videos.

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork served on a blue plate and topped with jalapeno slices.

    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork

    Slow Cooker Ancho Pork is made of tender and juicy meat. Escape the ordinary with each tasty and flavorful bite.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours
    Total Time: 10 hours 20 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 526kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 4 c water (for rehydrating chiles)
    • 4 dried ancho chiles
    • pinch oregano
    • pinch cumin
    • 1 bulb garlic
    • 1/4 piece cinnamon stick
    • 3 tsp apple cider vinegar
    • 1 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp pepper
    • 2 cup water (for sauce)
    • 4 1/2 lb pork butt

    Instructions

    • Boil the water.
    • In the meantime, remove the stems and seeds from the inside of the chiles. 
    • Place the chiles inside pot of boiling water.
    • Remove from heat.
    • Cover and let sit for 5 minutes, or until pliable.
    • Discard the water.
    • Place the rehydrated anchos, oregano, cumin, garlic, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and water in a blender.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Strain the sauce.
    • Wash and rinse the pork.
    • Pour the sauce over the pork.
    • Be sure to coat well.
    • Cover and let marinate in the fridge for 4 hours, overnight is best.
    • Place pork and all the sauce in the slow cooker.
    • Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 6 hours.
    • Remove the meat from the slow cooker.
    • Let cool slightly.
    • Shred the pork.
    • Return the pork to the slow cooker and its juices.
    • Mix to coat in the juices.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    Cold water rehydration method: Let sit for 1 hour in cold water, or until pliable.
    Save on your cooking time and make this ahead of time.
    You can also use pork loin or pork shoulder roasts.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 526kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 204mg | Sodium: 836mg | Potassium: 1590mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 6181IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Mexican, Pork, Recipes

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy Liu Dong

      November 26, 2020 at 4:45 am

      5 stars
      Wow, this is so delicious! My husband saw this and he wanted me to make this recipe for him. YUM!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 9, 2020 at 11:49 am

        Flavorful and delicious! Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. veenaazmanov

      November 26, 2020 at 5:49 am

      5 stars
      This meat is so tender and juicy. Love the flavorful sauce made with all the spices and flavors. Thanks for all the detailed description of the dish.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        December 14, 2020 at 1:14 pm

        Glad you liked it! This recipe it’s delicious

        Reply
    3. Amy

      November 27, 2020 at 4:48 pm

      Oooo that ancho chilli looks lethal but so good at the same time. Such a great recipe for the slow cooker. Set and just come back later. Works every time. Will try this recipe on the family soon!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 30, 2020 at 9:11 am

        It’s delicious! Hope you try it.

        Reply
    4. Valerie Skinner

      November 28, 2020 at 2:29 am

      5 stars
      I’ve been diving into slow cooker recipes lately, especially for pork since it’s so budget friendly! I will definietly be trying this one out. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 30, 2020 at 9:05 am

        So glad you enjoyed this! Hope you try it!

        Reply
    5. Anna

      November 28, 2020 at 6:21 am

      5 stars
      This looks like such a comforting and satisfying meal! The meat looks so tender and so juicy! I think I will be investing in a slow cooker soon, just so I can make delicious dishes like this one!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 30, 2020 at 9:05 am

        Thank you very much hope you try this recipe

        Reply
    6. Erin

      November 29, 2020 at 12:12 pm

      Isn’t slow-cooked pork the best?! This looks crazy delicious. I can’t wait to give it a try!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 30, 2020 at 8:43 am

        Definitely the best! Hope you try it!

        Reply
    7. Ramona

      November 29, 2020 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      WOW, this ancho pork looks super flavorsome and I love the combination of ingredients and flavors you used! I need to try this out, thank you for sharing.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 30, 2020 at 8:43 am

        It’s delicious! Glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    8. Jessica Knott

      November 29, 2020 at 6:25 pm

      I’ve been baking Christmas cookies not stop since black Friday and I’m just now getting time to do the grocery list. I almost forgot about normal dinner food but the hubs wanted me to make something new. The kitchen smells amazing right now and I can’t wait to take my first bite.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 30, 2020 at 8:43 am

        This recipe is amazing hopefully you and your family liked it as much as I do!

        Reply
    9. Natalie

      November 30, 2020 at 3:20 am

      5 stars
      This sounds delicious. I love the addition of cinnamon in this recipe. Such an interesting twist. I will definitely make this for my family. Thanks for the idea!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 30, 2020 at 8:42 am

        Isn’t the best? I love cinnamon too. Hope you try this recipe!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Maggie
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • PR/ Advertise
    • Email maggie @ mamamaggieskitchen.com