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Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Nachos for Game Day

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These Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Nachos for Game Day start with a pork shoulder that simmers low and slow in a smoky, slightly sweet sauce until it shreds with the lightest touch of a fork. Then you pile it onto crispy tortilla chips with melty cheese, pickled jalapeños, and whatever else your heart desires, and you broil it just long enough to get those irresistible browned edges.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large bag (13–16 ounces) restaurant-style tortilla chips
  • 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup fresh pico de gallo or salsa
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

Instructions

  1. Make the dry rub. In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne if using. Stir until evenly mixed.
  2. Season the pork. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture all over the meat, pressing it in with your hands so it adheres. Let the seasoned pork rest at room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes while you prep the slow cooker.
  3. Prepare the slow cooker liquid. In the bottom of your slow cooker, whisk together the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and minced garlic.
  4. Cook the pork. Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the slow cooker, fatty side up if possible. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. You will know it is done when the meat pulls apart easily with a fork and feels like it is about to fall apart on its own. Aim for an internal temperature of at least 200°F for optimal shreddability.
  5. Shred the pork. Carefully transfer the cooked pork to a large cutting board or bowl. Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard any large pieces of fat or bone. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir in the reserved cooking liquid to keep it moist. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Preheat your broiler. About 10 minutes before you are ready to serve, set your oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler element and preheat the broiler to high.
  7. Assemble the nachos. Spread a generous layer of tortilla chips on your large baking sheet. Top with about half of the shredded pork and half of the shredded cheese. Add another layer of chips, the remaining pork, and the remaining cheese. Scatter the pickled jalapeños over the top.
  8. Broil to perfection. Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 2 to 4 minutes. Watch it closely—broilers vary wildly in intensity. You want the cheese to be fully melted and bubbly, with a few golden-brown spots on the edges. Pull it out the second it looks ready.
  9. Add fresh toppings. Remove the nachos from the oven immediately. While they are still hot, drizzle with sour cream, spoon over the pico de gallo or salsa, sprinkle with fresh cilantro, and scatter the diced avocado on top. Squeeze lime wedges over everything.
  10. Serve right away. These nachos do not wait. Serve them immediately while the chips are still crunchy and the cheese is stretchy. Place the baking sheet in the center of the table and let everyone dig in.

Notes

Do not skip the dry rub. Watch the liquid level. Shred the pork while it is still warm. Broil in stages if needed. Toast the chips first for extra crispiness. Season each layer. The pulled pork can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store leftover pulled pork separately from chips and toppings.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork nachos, game day nachos, pulled pork nachos, easy nachos, crowd-pleasing nachos

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