Ultimate Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
Pulled pork is perfect for the slow cooker. Cooking the pork low and very slow is the secret to the juiciest and most tender pulled pork. This is a base recipe and while it is delicious as-is, you should feel free to stir in your favorite barbecue or other sauces at the end of cooking.
Pulled pork is perfect for the slow cooker. Cooking the pork low and very slow is the secret to the juiciest and most tender pulled pork. This is a base recipe and while it is delicious as-is, you should feel free to stir in your favorite barbecue or other sauces at the end of cooking.
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- hot sauce
- pickles
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 (4 1/2 to 5 pound) boneless or bone-in pork should
- 2 teaspoons salt plus more as needed
- 2 tablespoons neutral flavored oil
- 1 medium onion peeled and chopped small
- 1 tablespoon ancho or mild chili powder see our homemade chili powder recipe
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce or 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- bread rolls
- coleslaw see our mayonnaise based coleslaw recipeâ or our mayo-free coles
- barbecue sauce see our bacon bourbon barbecue sauce recipe
- Carbohydrate 15.6941395339298 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.958259263000389 g
- Fiber 1.33509135915894 g
- Protein 2.41248891892993 g
- Saturated Fat 0.158776088166253 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (142g)
- Sodium 191.524259409415 mg
- Sugar 14.3590481747709 g
- Trans Fat 0.185909227675306 g
- Calories 80 calories
Step-by-step
- Rub the pork with salt and pepper, and then set aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- Heat oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic then cook, stirring occasionally, until they are sweet and browned around the edges. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin. Cook, stirring often, until the tomato paste turns from bright red to orange in color; about 3 minutes. Add the water, apple cider vinegar, and fish sauce and cook for about 1 minute, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan.
- Rest the seasoned pork in the bottom of a slow cooker then pour the onion and spice mixture on top. Wiggle the pork around the bottom of the slow cooker so that some of the onion and spice mixture slides underneath. Cover with lid and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the pork can be easily shredded.
- Turn off the slow cooker and transfer the pork to a cutting board. If the pork has a bone in it, remove and discard it. Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any connective tissue, and large clumps of fat.
- Remove the cooking liquid and skim most of the fat from its surface. Discard the fat then set the cooking liquid aside.
- If using barbecue sauce, add it to the slow cooker and stir in the shredded pork. If the mixture needs to be thinned out a little, add back some of the reserved cooking liquid. If you’re not using barbecue sauce, add the shredded pork back to the slow cooker and stir in enough cooking liquid so that the pork is moistened. Taste and season with salt, additional vinegar, or hot sauce as needed.
My Go-To Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: A Busy Woman's Best Friend
Let me tell you, friends, there's nothing quite like the aroma of slow-cooked pulled pork filling your home. It’s the epitome of comfort food, the kind that melts away stress after a long day juggling work, kids, and everything in between. I’m a working mom, constantly on the go, and finding time for elaborate meals is a luxury I rarely have. That's why this slow cooker pulled pork recipe has become my absolute lifesaver. It’s simple, delicious, and requires minimal hands-on time – perfect for busy individuals like myself. The beauty of it lies not just in its ease of preparation but also in its incredible versatility. You can dress it up or down depending on your mood, your guests, and the occasion. One day it might be a fancy pulled pork sandwich with homemade coleslaw for a family dinner. The next, it could be the star of a casual taco night, filling soft tortillas with tender pork and your favorite toppings. This recipe is a blank canvas waiting to be painted with your culinary creativity.
The secret to this recipe’s success? It’s all about the slow cooking process. The low and slow method ensures the pork becomes unbelievably tender and juicy, practically falling apart at the touch of a fork. You really only need a few basic ingredients to achieve that fall-apart texture, but the flavor profile is a delightful dance of sweet, savory, and spicy notes. Forget about standing over a hot stove for hours; this recipe lets your slow cooker do all the hard work while you focus on other things. I usually throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning before heading out to work, and by evening, a delicious meal is ready and waiting. It's a great feeling knowing that a delicious, home-cooked meal is waiting for my family after a long day of work and school. That sense of accomplishment and the joy on my kids’ faces when they bite into that juicy, flavorful pulled pork are priceless. This recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a symbol of my love and care for my family. It’s a testament to the fact that even busy women can create delicious, memorable meals without sacrificing their precious time or sanity. And honestly, who doesn’t love a meal that almost makes itself?
Beyond the Basics: Endless Possibilities
The beauty of this slow-cooked pulled pork lies in its adaptability. While the basic recipe is divine on its own, don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and additions. One of my favorite variations involves adding a splash of apple cider vinegar for a touch of tanginess, while others might prefer a hint of smoky flavor from liquid smoke. The possibilities are truly endless! I’ve found that incorporating a bit of brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness that beautifully complements the savory notes of the pork. And of course, no pulled pork is complete without a dollop of your favorite barbecue sauce – smoky, tangy, spicy – the choice is yours. The recipe provides a starting point, a framework for your culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment, to adapt, to make this recipe your own. That's the beauty of cooking, isn’t it? The ability to express your creativity and create something delicious and personal.
Serving Suggestions: From Casual to Elegant
The versatility of this pulled pork extends beyond its flavor profile. It’s equally at home in a casual weeknight dinner as it is in a more elegant gathering. For a quick and easy meal, serve it on toasted buns with your favorite coleslaw. Or, get a little more creative and use it as a filling for tacos, nachos, or even baked potatoes. For a more sophisticated presentation, try serving it atop a bed of creamy polenta or mashed sweet potatoes. The possibilities are endless, and the beauty of this recipe is its ability to adapt to any occasion. I've even been known to use leftover pulled pork to create delicious quesadillas or hearty stuffed peppers, proving just how versatile and delicious this recipe truly is. No matter how you choose to serve it, this slow-cooked pulled pork is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, leaving your family and friends asking for more.
More Than Just a Recipe: A Time-Saver and a Love Letter
In the whirlwind of modern life, finding time for meaningful moments is more important than ever. This slow cooker pulled pork recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a symbol of that sentiment. It’s a delicious testament to the idea that even amid the chaos, we can create something beautiful and delicious, something that brings people together, that nourishes the body and the soul. It's about savoring the simple pleasures of life, like the aroma of slow-cooked pork filling your home, the warmth of family gathered around the table, and the satisfaction of creating something truly special, effortlessly. It’s a love letter written in the language of flavor, a testament to the power of simple ingredients and even simpler methods, and a reminder that the most precious moments often come in the most unexpected packages.
