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BBQ Pulled Pork Tater Tots (Dirty Tots)

BBQ Pulled Pork Tater Tots (Dirty Tots)

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 43 minutes
Slow Cooking Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 13 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

For The Dry Rub

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper

For The Tater Tots And BBQ Sauce

  • 2 - 2 1/2 pounds pork shoulder
  • 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire
  • 32 oz tater tots, frozen
  • 1/2 cup Mexican cheese, shredded
  • 4 green onions, sliced

For The Chipotle Aioli

  • 1 cup mayonaise
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (add an extra one if you like the heat)
  • 1 lime, squeezed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine the dry rub ingredients. Pat and rub all sides of the pork shoulder with the dry rub.
  • Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet. Once hot, sear all side of the pork shoulder just until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours until cooked all the way through.
  • Remove from slow cooker and set aside to rest before shredding. Using a large spoon, remove and discard the fat liquids floating on top from the liquids remaining in the slow cooker.
  • Place remaining non-fatty liquids into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, brown sugar, and Worcestershire. Whisk all ingredients together. Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Sauce will thicken up a bit.
  • Using two forks or your hands, shred the cooked pork. Toss the shredded pork with the homemade BBQ sauce and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Lay out tater tots in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil to coat the tater tots. Place into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, flipping them once, half way through baking. Add shredded cheese 2 minutes before baking time is done.
  • While the tater tots are baking, place chipotle aioli ingredients into a food processor and processes for 1 minute.
  • Remove tater tots from the oven. Evenly spread out shredded BBQ pulled pork on top. Drizzle with chipotle aioli and garnish with green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can use your favorite BBQ sauce to toss with the shredded pork instead of making your own to skip an extra step.
The chipotle aioli can be made by hand. Finely mince the chipotle pepper and whisk all ingredients in a medium bowl.