Slow Cooker Sweet Pork (For Tacos and Burritos)
This slow-cooker sweet pork recipe is my go-to for a tasty filling in tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. It has this perfect blend of smoky, sweet, and savory that I love. Itโs perfect for those busy weeknights or when I feel lazy over the weekend and want something scrumptious without much fuss. I season it, give it a quick sear, and then let my slow cooker do the rest.
My secret? Itโs cooking the pork on a low setting for a long time until itโs so tender it practically falls apart. It always turns out to be an easy slow-cooker dinner recipe that everyone loves.

Slow Cooker Sweet Pork Recipe
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Medium skillet
- Small saucepan
- 9×13 baking dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Large and small mixing bowls
Ingredients
Dry rub for pork:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder
- โ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Shredded pork ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 pound boneless pork shoulder roast
- โ cup water
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon pepper
- ยฝ teaspoon chili powder
- ยผ teaspoon smoked paprika
- โ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ยฝ cup brown sugar
- 1 15 ounce can of green chile enchilada sauce
To make burritos (Optional):
- 3-4 burrito-sized flour tortillas or 6-8 flour tortillas for tacos/enchiladas
- 2 (15 ounce) cans of black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 ยฝ cups cooked rice (see note)
- 1 (15 ounce) can of green chile enchilada sauce
- additional toppings or sides if desired: (cilantro, avocado, guacamole, pico de gallo, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheddar/monterey jack cheese, scallions, lime wedges, cilantro ranch dressing, black beans, pinto beans, rice)
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Instructions
- Prepare the dry rub.ย ย In a small bowl, mix the dry rub ingredients: salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Rub the mixture evenly over all sides of the pork.
- Sear the pork.ย ย Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully sear the pork for 1-2 minutes on each side, turning with tongs, until browned. Then, transfer the pork to your slow cooker.
- Slow cook the pork.ย ย Pour the water and liquid smoke into the slow cooker. Cover and cook the pork on high for 4-4ยฝ hours or low for 8 hours until tender.
- Shred the pork.ย ย Once cooked, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Then, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces using two forks, discarding large fatty pieces.
- Season the pork.ย ย In a large bowl, combine the shredded pork with salt, pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly using tongs to make sure the pork is evenly seasoned.
- Prepare the sweet enchilada sauce.ย ย Whisk together the brown sugar and ยพ cup of green chile enchilada sauce in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Then, pour the sauce over the shredded pork and toss gently with tongs to coat evenly.
- Serve the pork.ย ย The shredded sweet pork is now ready to serve! Use it as a filling for burritos, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or even salads and rice bowls. For burrito or taco ideas, see below.
Burrito Assembly (Optional)
- Warm the tortillas.ย ย Microwave the burrito-sized tortillas for 20-30 seconds and wrap them in damp paper towels to soften them.
- Assemble the burritos.ย ย Spread ยพ cup of cooked rice in a line lengthwise down the center of the tortilla. On top of the rice, layer ยพ cup of shredded pork, followed by ยฝ cup of black beans. Roll the tortilla tightly, folding in the sides and then rolling over the filling. For smaller tortillas (tacos or enchiladas), use about ยผ cup each of rice, pork, and beans.
- Optional toppings.ย ย Serve your burritos with optional toppings like cilantro, guacamole, shredded cheese, salsa, or sour cream.
Enchilada Style (Optional)
- Prepare the enchilada pan.ย ย Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (or use the broiler for a quicker finish). Then grease a 9×13 baking dish and spread ยฝ cup of green chile enchilada sauce on the bottom.
- Assemble the enchiladas.ย ย Fill the tortillas with the shredded pork, roll them up, and place them seam-side down in the baking dish. Top with additional enchilada sauce and shredded cheese (optional).
- Bake.ย ย Broil for 2-4 minutes until the cheese melts and starts to bubble, or bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350ยฐF. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
Notes
We really love this recipe at our house! Itโs perfect when I need to make a filling meal but donโt want to be stuck in the kitchen for hours. Everyone enjoys it, and not hearing any complaints is a big plus for me! I love dishing it up in tacos or alongside rice, and watching it disappear is just the best feeling.
If youโre looking for another easy, flavorful meal, check out this Chicken Taco Pasta Bake for a delicious twist on comfort food.

Hope it becomes a favorite in your home, too!
Key Ingredients and Tools
To make this recipe just right, youโll need a few important tools and ingredients:

- Boneless pork shoulder roast: This meat is great for slow cooking because itโs fatty, making the pork soft and moist. Look for it in the meat section, where it might be called โpork buttโ or โBoston butt.โ If unavailable, you could use pork loin. Just keep in mind itโll be less fatty and not as tender.
- Liquid smoke: This adds a nice smoky taste without using a grill. Itโs typically found where the BBQ sauces are. Just a small amount is enough! If you donโt have liquid smoke, try smoked paprika for a similar smoky taste.
- Smoked paprika: It gives the pork a smoky warmth and enriches the flavor. If you donโt have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika, but it wonโt give the same smoky flavor.
- Green chile enchilada sauce: This sauce adds a tangy taste to the porkโs sweetness. Itโs in the Hispanic food aisle. If you canโt find it, enchilada sauce will do, but the taste might differ.
- Brown sugar: It brings a sweet, caramel-like flavor to the pork. Be sure to use fresh brown sugar because old, hard sugar wonโt mix well and might mess up the sauceโs texture. If youโre out of brown sugar, honey or maple syrup can substitute. Itโll alter the sweetness and texture somewhat.
- Slow cooker: Itโs key for cooking the pork slowly and at a low temperature, which makes it incredibly tender. If you donโt have one, a Dutch oven in the oven on low might work, but a slow cooker is easier to use.
These tools and ingredients will make sure your pork turns out tasty, tender, and sure to wow anyone. Theyโre what make this dish stand out!
Troubleshooting and Help
Yes, you can use a leaner cut like pork loin, but it wonโt be as tender or juicy as pork shoulder. Pork shoulder has more fat, which breaks down during slow cooking to create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
I highly recommend it! Searing adds great flavor by creating a nice crust outside the pork. Itโs an extra step but worth it for that deeper, richer taste.
Yes, you can cook it on low for 8-10 hours. Slow-cooking it on low usually makes the pork even more tender, so if you have the time, go for it! Looking for another comforting, slow-cooked pork dish? Try these Crockpot Pork Chops with Apples for a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
No worries! You can also cook this in the oven. Place the pork in a roasting pan, cover it tightly with foil, and bake at 300ยฐF until tender, which usually takes 4 to 5 hours.
Definitely! If you like more heat, add extra cayenne pepper or some diced jalapeรฑos when you mix in the seasoning. You can also drizzle some hot sauce over the finished pork.
Yes, you can easily adjust the heat level. Reduce or skip the cayenne pepper in the recipe, and choose a mild green chile enchilada sauce. That way, youโll keep all the flavor without the kick!
If you find the sauce too thin after cooking, you can thicken it by simmering it in a saucepan for a few minutes until it reduces to your desired consistency. Alternatively, mixing cornstarch with water and adding it to the sauce can help thicken it quickly.
Absolutely! You can make the dish beforehand, store it in the fridge, and reheat it when ready to serve. It gets even more flavorful as it sits! If youโre looking for a faster pork dish, try these Cast Iron Skillet Pork Chops for a quick and delicious alternative.
I hope these answers help you feel more confident about making this delicious dish! If you have any other questions, ask; Iโm here to help!
This is an easy and tasty recipe perfect for any time, whether it’s a busy weekday dinner with the family or a relaxed gathering with friends. Just set up your slow cooker, and with little effort, you’ll end up with soft, flavorful pork to fill up tacos, burritos, or bowls.


By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.