Get ready to experience the ultimate culinary explosion, y’all! Chef Max is about to show you how to transform ordinary nachos into a Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork masterpiece that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance. We’re talking about a dish so epic, so insane, and so LEGENDARY that it’ll make your friends and family green with envy (in the best way possible, of course). Strap in, because we’re about to take your kitchen on the ride of a lifetime!
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Nachos
This dish is the perfect fusion of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors that will send your senses into overdrive. The tender, fall-apart pulled pork, infused with the bold taste of maple and bourbon, is the ultimate topping for crispy, crunchy nachos. And let’s not forget the sensational toppings – melted cheese, tangy barbecue sauce, creamy avocado, and a burst of fresh cilantro. It’s a party in your mouth that you won’t be able to resist!
Ingredients
Get ready to gather up some epic ingredients for this Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Nachos masterpiece! You’ll need a boneless pork shoulder or butt, a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, pure maple syrup, bourbon, smoked paprika, and a few other pantry staples. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you have everything you need to create this insane dish.
- 3-4 lbs – Boneless pork shoulder or butt
- 2 cups – Barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup – Pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup – Bourbon
- 2 tsp – Smoked paprika
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pork: You can use a pork loin or tenderloin instead of the shoulder or butt. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may be a bit different, so keep an eye on it.
- Bourbon: If you don’t have bourbon, you can use another type of liquor, like whiskey or even dark rum, or you can just omit it altogether and the dish will still be insanely delicious.
How to Make Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Nachos
Alright, let’s get this party started! We’re about to turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise, y’all.
Step 1: Prep Work
Let’s start by getting everything ready for the main event. Rub the pork shoulder with a blend of smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, then sear it in a hot pan to lock in those amazing flavors. Next, transfer the pork to a slow cooker or Instant Pot, and pour in the barbecue sauce, maple syrup, and bourbon. Get ready for your kitchen to be filled with the most mouthwatering aroma!
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Now it’s time to let the magic happen. If you’re using a slow cooker, let the pork cook low and slow for 6-8 hours until it’s fall-apart tender. If you’re going the Instant Pot route, it’ll only take about an hour to achieve that same level of deliciousness. Once the pork is cooked to perfection, shred it with two forks and let it soak up all those incredible flavors.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Alright, it’s time to assemble this epic Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Nachos masterpiece! Grab a large baking sheet or platter and layer it with crispy tortilla chips. Top the chips with the smoky, sticky pulled pork, then smother it in melted cheese, tangy barbecue sauce, creamy avocado, and a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Trust me, y’all – this is gonna be a sight to behold!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Bacon Bits: For an extra layer of smoky, savory goodness, try adding some crumbled bacon to the top of the nachos.
- Spicy Kick: Slice up some jalapeños or drizzle on a bit of hot sauce to give your nachos a spicy twist.
- Pulled Pork Waffles: For a sweet and savory combo, try serving the pulled pork on top of crispy waffles instead of nachos.
- Taco Shells: Get creative and serve the pulled pork in mini taco shells for a fun, handheld version of this dish.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: cold beer, tangy coleslaw, creamy guacamole, and plenty of napkins.
Storage: The pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Make-Ahead: You can make the pulled pork up to 4 days in advance and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to assemble the nachos, just reheat the pork and get to layering!
Nutrition Information
Let’s be real, this Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Nachos is not exactly a health food, but it’s totally worth the indulgence. Each serving packs a punch of protein from the tender pork, as well as some essential nutrients from the avocado and cilantro. Just be sure to enjoy it in moderation and maybe go for a extra-long walk after devouring this epic dish!
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Protein: 37 g
- Carbs: 50 g
- Fat: 34 g
- Sodium: 1,200 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the pulled pork ahead of time?
Absolutely! The pulled pork can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in the fridge. When you’re ready to assemble the nachos, simply reheat the pork and get to layering!
Can I use a different type of pork?
Sure, you can use a pork loin or tenderloin instead of the shoulder or butt. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may be a bit different, so keep an eye on it.
What if I don’t have bourbon?
No problem! You can use another type of liquor, like whiskey or even dark rum, or you can just omit it altogether and the dish will still be insanely delicious.
Can I make this in the oven instead of a slow cooker?
Absolutely! You can roast the pork in the oven at 325°F for 3-4 hours, or until it’s fall-apart tender. Just be sure to baste it with the sauce every now and then to keep it moist and flavorful.
Can I make this vegetarian or vegan?
For a vegetarian version, you can swap the pork for roasted or grilled portobello mushrooms. And for a vegan option, use plant-based “pulled pork” or shredded jackfruit instead of the real deal. The possibilities are endless, so get creative!
Try These Next
- Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Sliders With Tangy Slaw
- Smoky Bbq Pulled Pork Sliders
- Spicy Chipotle Bbq Pulled Pork Nachos
Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Nachos
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 600 minutes
- Total Time: 630 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: 🍖 SMOKE HOUSE
- Method: Smoking and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Smoky Maple Bourbon Pulled Pork Nachos are the ultimate comfort food, combining tender pulled pork with smoky flavors and a hint of sweetness from bourbon and maple syrup. Perfect for game day or a cozy night in!
Ingredients
– 2 lbs pork shoulder
– 1/2 cup bourbon
– 1/4 cup maple syrup
– 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
– 1 tablespoon garlic powder
– 1 tablespoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 bag tortilla chips
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup diced green onions
– 1/2 cup sour cream
– 1/4 cup jalapeños (optional)
Instructions
1.
2. 1. Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
3. 2. In a bowl, mix together the bourbon, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
4. 3. Rub the marinade all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it’s well coated.
5. 4. Place the pork shoulder in the smoker and cook for about 8-10 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 195°F (90°C).
6. 5. Once cooked, remove the pork from the smoker and let it rest for 30 minutes before shredding.
7. 6. While the pork is resting, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. 7. Spread tortilla chips on a large baking sheet. Top with shredded pork and cheddar cheese.
9. 8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
10. 9. Remove from the oven and garnish with diced green onions, sour cream, and jalapeños if desired.
11. 10. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
– For extra flavor, you can add your favorite BBQ sauce to the pulled pork before serving.
– These nachos are best served fresh but can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 850 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: nachos, pulled pork, smoky, bourbon, maple