Smoked Pulled Pork Enchiladas
Hearty smoked pulled pork is folded into corn tortillas, doused in a rich mole sauce and baked until bubbly for a bold, BBQ-meets-Mexican main. Using a pellet smoker for the pork brings deep smoke notes that pair beautifully with the chocolate-spiced mole.
Ingredient Spotlight
Store-bought mole paste
Mole paste is a concentrated base for Mexico’s classic mole sauces (like mole poblano) made from blended dried chiles, nuts or seeds, spices, sometimes dried fruit and a touch of chocolate; it yields a deeply layered, savory‑sweet, slightly bitter and mildly spicy flavor. It originates from Mexican cuisine and has a complex aroma of toasted spices, chiles, and cocoa. Find it in Latin grocery stores, the international aisle of well‑stocked supermarkets, or online; if you can’t find it, a quick substitute is a mix of toasted ancho/pasilla chile powder, a bit of cocoa or dark chocolate, toasted sesame or peanut butter for body, plus garlic, cumin, cinnamon, tomato paste, and chicken stock to loosen it.
Jake's note
"This recipe shines for weekend gatherings where the smoker does the heavy lifting; home cooks will love the make-ahead pulled pork and the dramatic, richly flavored mole that ties BBQ and enchiladas together."
Smoked Pulled Pork Enchiladas
These Smoked Pulled Pork Enchiladas marry two beloved traditions: low-and-slow barbecue and the multi-layered richness of Mexican mole. Smoking the pork on a pellet smoker builds a glossy bark and a whisper of smoldered wood that stands up to the deep, bittersweet chocolate and chile notes in the mole paste. The contrast between the fork-tender meat, the slightly chewy corn tortillas, and the molten cheese gives every bite a layered, hearty mouthfeel — brightened at the end by lime, cilantro, and the snap of raw red onion.
This version works because it leans on technique rather than fuss: a confident smoke on a trimmed Boston butt, a warmed mole thinned with stock to coat meat but not drown it, and a quick oven finish to marry flavors without overcooking the tortillas. It’s the sort of recipe that rewards a weekend of attention — great for feeding a crowd at a game-day table or turning leftovers into something festive — and it scales neatly whether you’re feeding a family or a hungry group of friends.
Plan your timing
Ingredients
Instructions
Season and smoke the pork
For this step
- 4 lbPork butt (Boston butt)
- 2 tbspBBQ dry rub
Prepare the mole sauce
For this step
- 1 cupStore-bought mole paste
- 2 cupChicken stock
Pull and coat the pork
Warm tortillas and assemble enchiladas
For this step
- 12 piecesCorn tortillas
- 2 cupsShredded Monterey Jack or cheddar
- 2 tbspVegetable oil
Top with mole and bake
Garnish and serve
For this step
- 1 mediumRed onion (thinly sliced, for garnish)
- 0.5 cupFresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
- 1 largeLime (cut into wedges, for serving)
Tips from the kitchen
Trim but keep a cap
Remove large fat pockets but leave a thin fat cap so the pork bastes itself during the smoke—this keeps the meat juicy without creating an overly greasy filling.
Watch the meat temperature
Use an instant-read or leave-in probe and pull the pork at 195–205°F; it should shred easily and the probe should slide in without tugging.
Warm tortillas properly
Brush with a little oil and heat briefly in a skillet or on the smoker grates so they become pliable and don’t crack when rolled.
Reserve sauce for tossing
Fold about 1 cup of warm mole into the shredded pork to flavor and moisten the filling, while saving the rest for saucing and baking so the enchiladas don't get soggy.
Let them rest before serving
After baking, rest the pan 5 minutes so the sauce sets slightly—this makes serving cleaner and the layers hold together better.
Variations & substitutions
Chipotle-Mole Twist
Stir 1–2 minced chipotles in adobo into the mole when thinning to add a smokier, spicier kick that complements the smoked pork.
Pulled Chicken Version
Swap smoked or rotisserie chicken for pork and toss with mole as directed; you’ll shave smoking time while keeping the same flavor profile.
Vegetarian Jackfruit
Use drained young jackfruit, sautéed with the BBQ rub and mole to mimic pulled pork texture for a plant-forward enchilada that soaks up sauce well.
Green Mole Swap
Replace the mole paste with a chunky salsa verde or a tomatillo-based green mole for a brighter, tangier version that still plays nicely with smoked meat.
Storage & make-ahead
Store leftover enchiladas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days; reheat covered in a 325–350°F oven for 15–25 minutes until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze assembled (unbaked) or fully baked enchiladas for up to 2 months—bake from frozen at 350°F, covered with foil, adding 20–30 minutes to the bake time. Refresh with a squeeze of lime and chopped cilantro after reheating.
What to serve with it
Serve with Mexican-style rice, charred street corn or esquites, and a bowl of black or refried beans for a full plate. Bright accoutrements—quick-pickled red onions, crema or sour cream, sliced avocado, and extra lime wedges—cut the richness; pair with a crisp Mexican lager or a smoky mezcal margarita to echo the smoked pork.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use store-bought pulled pork instead of smoking my own?
Yes—warm the pre-smoked pork and fold it with the mole as directed; you’ll lose the opportunity to develop fresh bark but still get the BBQ-mole interplay.
My mole tastes too bitter or intense — how do I tame it?
Whisk in extra warm chicken stock a tablespoon at a time to mellow and thin the sauce, and balance bitterness with a touch of sweetener (honey or brown sugar) and a squeeze of lime if needed.
How do I prevent soggy tortillas or bottoms?
Don’t over-sauce the filling—toss only about 1 cup of mole with the shredded pork—and warm the tortillas so they seal better; resting the baked dish for a few minutes helps the sauce set.
Can I assemble these ahead of time?
Yes—assemble the enchiladas in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours; bake from chilled, adding a few extra minutes, or freeze for longer storage and bake from frozen with extra time.
Are flour tortillas okay instead of corn?
You can use flour tortillas; they’re less likely to tear and will produce a softer, slightly less textured bite, but the flavor profile will be less traditional and possibly richer.
About the author
JakeHello, I'm Jake. I started this recipe site with the idea that I hated recipe websites that overwhelm you with long stories and ads just to see plain content that's not helpful. My goal is to provide you with quality recipes, simple ideas and a fun cooking experience. There's lots of fun things to cook, and I think as you browse the site you'll find that TopShelf.Recipes is the place for quality recipes on the web.
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Ingredients
- Pork butt (Boston butt)4 lb
- BBQ dry rub2 tbsp
- Store-bought mole paste1 cup
- Chicken stock2 cup
- Corn tortillas12 pieces
- Shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar2 cups
- Vegetable oil2 tbsp
- Red onion (thinly sliced, for garnish)1 medium
- Fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)0.5 cup
- Lime (cut into wedges, for serving)1 large
Nutrition Facts
Per serving: 1 enchilada (540g)
Nutrition values are estimated from USDA ingredient data and may vary based on preparation, brands, and portion sizes. Values are provided for informational purposes only.
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