Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos

• 13/4 pounds boneless, trimmed pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper, divided
• 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice, divided
• 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice, divided
• 2 cups of hot water
• 1 dried ancho chile
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 white onion, sliced (about 11/2 cups)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 oregano sprigs
• 1 tablespoon of canola oil
• 12 (6-in.) corn tortillas, warmed
• 6 tablespoons of chopped white onion
• Cilantro sprigs (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)

Cut pork into 3-inch pieces, and place in a large ziplock bag.
Sprinkle with brown sugar,1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Add 2 tablespoons lime juice and 2 tablespoons orange juice to bag and seal, removing as much air as possible.
Refrigerate 8 to 24 hours.
Place 2 cups of hot water and dried ancho chile in a bowl, and let stand 10 minutes.
Drain, reserving 1/4 cup soaking liquid.
Transfer pork to a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker, and discard the marinade.
Add garlic, sliced onion, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, oregano, ancho chile, the reserved 1/4 cup soaking liquid, the remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice, and the remaining 2 tablespoons orange juice.
Cover and cook on low until meat is very tender, 7 to 8 hours.
Remove pork to a bowl, and pour cooking liquid through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a separate bowl.
Discard solids.
Heat canola oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high.
Add pork, and sear 1 minute without stirring.
Return pork to bowl.
Add 1/2 cup cooking liquid to skillet.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any bits of pork stuck to the bottom of the skillet.
Pour over pork; add remaining 1/2 teaspoon add salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Shred pork.
Divide pork evenly among tortillas; top each with 11/2 teaspoons of chopped onion.
Serve with cilantro and lime wedges.

If you’re trying to capture the flavors of home, there’s no substitute for the right components, and you’ll find everything you need at your local Gala Foods and Gala Fresh supermarkets. At the Aurora Grocery Group, we’ve spent more than 40 years providing flavor to communities throughout our five-state footprint, and we’re ready to help you bring the heat to your next family dinner, party or any other gathering with these delicious recipes. To taste the difference that comes from quality ingredients and generations of supermarket experience, visit your local store today.