Kansas City Style Pulled Pork Chili

Sweet meets heat in this hearty Kansas City Style Pulled Pork Chili. Be sure to grab a cold brewsky because one's going in the pot to add to the complex flavors of this Midwestern favorite!

Ingredients

• 1-2 lb. boneless pork shoulder or pork butt (trimmed of fat & cut into 2" chunks)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
• 1 teaspoon. ground cumin
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• 1 (12-oz.) bottle pale ale-style beer
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 2 (15.5-oz.) cans dark red kidney beans, drained
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (I use Crystal's Louisiana Hot Sauce, optional)
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• Sliced scallions, for garnish
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese for garnish
• Bacon, for garnish

Instructions

Pressure Cooker Method
1. Set Instant Pot to saute. When ready, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the bottom of the pot. Season pork with salt and pepper, granulated garlic & cumin. Place pork chunks in pot and saute a couple minutes on all sides.  Add onion, jalapeño, then garlic; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Turn off saute.
2. Add bottle of beer, plus chicken stock, tomatoes, and kidney beans. Add tomato paste, chili powder, chili flakes, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce & hot sauce. Stir well.
3. Cook on manual, high pressure for 45 minutes. Turn off and let steam naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
4. Use 2 forks to pull chunks of pork apart.
5. Garnish with scallions, cheddar cheese, and bacon.

Slow Cooker Method
1. Season pork with salt and pepper, granulated garlic & cumin.
2. Either saute seasoned pork chunks in skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil to seal in flavor; or you can skip this step, placing pork chunks in crock pot.
3. Add everything else into the pot. Stir well and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3 hours.
4. Use 2 forks to pull chunks of pork apart.
5. Adjust seasonings to your tastes and garnish with scallions, cheddar cheese, and bacon.

Stovetop Method
1. In a large pot heat the 2 Tablespoons olive oil. Season pork with salt and pepper, granulated garlic & cumin. Add onion, jalapeño, then garlic; cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Add bottle of beer, plus chicken stock, tomatoes, and kidney beans. Add tomato paste, chili powder, chili flakes, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce & hot sauce. Stir well.
3. Let simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Use 2 forks to pull chunks of pork apart.
5. Garnish with scallions, cheddar cheese, and bacon.

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