Delicious tender caramelized BBQ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich - a perfect family meal!!
TENDER FALL-APART SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK
I love a Pulled Pork sandwich, but it can be time-consuming to cook, so I decided to create a slow cooker pulled pork version. That way, I can leave the pork to cook while I get on with other things.
Using the slow cooker has other benefits too, as it makes the meat so tender and juicy and it literally falls apart when you go to shred it with two forks, kinda how pulled pork gets the name of course - the pulling apart of the meat to shred it.
Obviously, the sauce in a Pulled Pork sandwich is super important, get that wrong and it's just not going to hit the spot. So my sauce is just the right combination of smoky and sweet.
I know it is tempting to use a sweetener or similar, but trust me when I say you just won't get the same result. For the sake of a few calories for the maple syrup in my sauce recipe, it is totally worth it, and when you divide up into portions, it's hardly any calories at all.
To go alongside the delicious pulled pork, I also sauté up some peppers and onion, it goes perfectly as a topping on these Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches.
Once the pulled pork is out of the slow cooker shredded and mixed with the sauce, I also like to put it under the grill for a few minutes, it just gives the meat a lovely caramelization on top. This is optional, but seriously it takes it to a whole over level.
BARBECUE SAUCES AND PULLED PORK
Being originally from the UK, Pulled Pork wasn't really on my radar, it's not a well-known dish, or certainly wasn't when we lived there.
The first time we tried it was when we took a trip down south to Kentucky. I was so surprised how good it tasted as it's not a recipe that looks particularly visually appealing when served to you.
Many smokehouses, will serve the pulled pork plain with no barbecue sauce mixed in, that might seem odd, but it can actually be the best way really, as you can then really appreciate the seasoning they use, which can vary greatly depending on what part of the USA you are in. They also can use different ways of smoking the meat, that gives it that amazing flavour.
Then on the table where they serve your food, comes a whole variety of different barbecue sauces to choose from, that way you can enjoy the pulled pork with the type of barbecue sauce you prefer - some of the main varieties I have seen are sweet and smokey (my fav and the style I use in this recipe), then there is original, mustard style - generally called Carolina, spicy and then the really really spicy one, which is usually kept off the table and only available on request, you seriously don't want to add that to your plate by mistake.
DELICIOUS SMOKEY BBQ PULLED PORK
All just examples based on the smokehouse I have been to, there can be many many more varieties of barbecue sauce and just like with the seasoning and smoking of the meat, the type of popular BBQ sauce can depend on which state you are in.
That is usually if you order just pulled pork, if you go for a Pulled Pork sandwich or similar, then it will usually come with a barbecue sauce mixed into the meat. The type is usually given on the menu. Most Pulled Pork sandwiches I have tried have always been with a sweet and smokey sauce - yum!!
I'm sure a lot of people who have never tried Pulled Pork before would take a look at and think "that's not for me", but it's something that has to be tried. I've never come across someone who did try it and say they didn't like it. It's a pretty unique recipe that's for sure, but one which is oh so good. So many different ways to serve it too.
Love this slow cooker pulled pork? Check out some of these other Pulled Pork recipes:
- Pulled Pork Pizza
- Pulled Pork Pasta Bake
- Stove Top Pulled Pork
- Pulled Pork with Blueberry BBQ sauce
- Loaded Pulled Pork Fries
or head on over to my Full Recipe Index with over 850 delicious Slimming Eats and Weight Watchers recipes all fully searchable by meal type, ingredients, value and smart points etc.
I serve this slow cooker pulled pork in a whole wheat bun, 60g/2oz one qualifies as a Healthy Extra B choice topped with the delicious sautéed peppers and onion, then some Fries and homemade coleslaw, but if you don't have a HEb spare, this is equally delicious just with the fries and some salad or maybe even some corn on the cob.
Kitchen Items used for this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork:
- Slow Cooker
- Kitchen Scales
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Wooden Spoon
- Mixing Bowl
- Santoku Knife
- Chopping Board
- Baking Tray
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Recipe Card
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich
Delicious tender caramelized BBQ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich - a perfect family meal!!
Ingredients
For the spice rub:
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- 1 tbs paprika
- 1 tsp of smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon of chilli powder
- ¼ teaspoon of cumin
- salt and black pepper
For the barbecue sauce:
- 1 cup (240ml) of passata
- 1 cup (240ml) of water
- 1 tbs of tomato paste
- 125g (4.5oz) onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic crushed
- 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar (good quality)
- 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (not dark) or coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon of mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons of liquid smoke (optional) or use some smoked paprika for the smoky taste, add a little and taste to preference
- spray oil
For the pulled pork:
- 750g (26.5oz) of pork tenderloin or pork shoulder (fat removed),
- 1 red pepper sliced
- 1 green onion
- 1 red onion sliced
- 4 x 60g (4x2oz) whole wheat rolls
- Barbecue Sauce, from above
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Mix spice rub seasoning in a bowl and then rub into pork.
- Spray a small saucepan with olive oil spray and add the onion and garlic and cook until golden.
- Add all other ingredients for the barbecue sauce and bring to the boil, simmer for approx 15 mins and then blend with a hand blender or food processor. If sauce is still slightly watery after blending, add back to the saucepan and simmer to reduce down to thicken before adding to the slow cooker.
- Add the pork to the slow cooker and pour over the top the barbecue sauce and cook on the high (6 hour) setting or you can cook on the low setting for longer.
- When the pork is almost cooked, spray a frying pan with some spray oil, add the onions and peppers and fry till lightly caramelized.
- When the pork is ready, using two forks, pull the pork into shreds and mix around into the barbecue sauce.
- Optional Step - Place on a baking tray and place under the grill for 5 mins until top is slightly caramelized, toss with some tonges and place back under the grill to repeat again
- Season with salt and pepper as needed
- Serve the pulled pork topped with some of the onions and peppers in the whole wheat rolls (I like to spray over the top with a little spray oil and bake rolls in the oven to make slightly crispy) or on its own with salad, slaw and chips
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Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1 sandwichAmount Per Serving Calories 456Total Fat 8.8gSaturated Fat 2.5gCholesterol 130mgSodium 1087mgCarbohydrates 44.8gFiber 5.2gSugar 14.5gProtein 45.7g
Nutritional information is an estimate and is to be used for informational purposes only. Ingredients can vary greatly from brand to brand and therefore it would be impossible to give accurate information.
Anonymous says
Enjoy sandwiches as a snack or meal and try out this delicious recipe!
Indeed, there are a lot of sandwich variations that we are more than welcome to try out. Depending on our taste and preference, other s might like pork while others choose to indulge in chicken or beef sandwiches. It is nice to try out different kinds of sandwiches and see which kind we like best.
In addition, I also found another interesting article regarding healthy cooking that other readers might like at:
http://healthy-lifestyle.most-effective-solution.com/2011/04/10/10-tips-on-how-to-cook-in-a-flash/
Thisismeandfood says
What is liquid smoke I've never heard of it??
SaraB says
Just making the BBQ sauce ready to slow cook the pork in the morning. I used the hickory liquid smoke. It smells divine
Nadine says
Can you freeze leftovers (if there's any )?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Nadine, it should freeze fine 🙂
Siobhan (another one) says
Made this today and it was amazing, thanks for another one to add to the list of family favourites
Angelan Loughran says
Absolutely loved this recipe, looks hard when you first glance at the recipe but it is really simple and worth doing as it is one of the nicest Pulled Pork I have ever had. It is also hard to believe that it is so low syn as it feels quite naughty when you are eating it.
Mel says
Tried this tonight, it was amazing!! Will def become a family fave x
Nina says
HI, this looks like a fabulous recipe. I was thinking of trying this recipe using Pork tenderloin. In UK tenderloin is a lean cut (as you will know know) will it work in a slow cooker? Does it need the fat (like a shoulder cut) to shred and cook tender? Thanks.
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Nina, for any meat to be free on Slimming World it needs to have any visible fat removed, I have made this with both a pork shoulder and pork tenderloin. Both work fine, overall I do prefer pork shoulder for pulled pork, but it's still yummy with the tenderloin too. Enjoy!!
Lucy Howell says
Hi absolutely loved this! Just eaten it for tea and it was fabulous. My husband was in rapture!
Will definitely be doing it again. Thank you xx
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Thanks for commenting Lucy, so glad you enjoyed it.
Michael Barnes says
Hi if I wanted to cook this on low instead of high on the slow cooker how long should I cook it for?
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
Hi Michael - sorry for the late reply. This should be fine on low for about 8 hours.
Nicola says
Really easy to do and tasted great, whole family loved it - which is rare!
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
thanks Nichola - that's awesome!!
Kazzydd says
This is absolutely divine. Thank you for another first class recipe.
Harry says
I don’t have a slow cooker so please could you advise how long to cook in the oven and on what heat? I have tried all of your recipes and not had a bad one yet, I would just like to say what an amazing cook you are! Thanks for the inspiration
Shevy (Slimming Eats) says
I would cook at 300f for about 2.5-3 hours if I was going to cook this in the oven.
Craig warhurst says
Just a quickie. is that weight of pork with the fat removed? I have a 1.4kg pork with the fat still on. Once the fat is cut off do i need to do it for a little longer?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
yes weight of pork is with fat removed.
Freya Fluharty says
Why not dark soy sauce?
I'm confused!
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
Because it will make the pulled pork very dark in colour. You want to use regular soy sauce.
Hayley Draper says
Can you use honey instead of maple syrup? Thanks
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
yes you can, just ensure you adjust the syn values.
M M says
Hi,
I wanted to make this pulled pork for dinner but wondered if it can be cooked in an Instant Pot Duo. If so, can you please tell me how long for and on what setting etc.
Many thanks
M xx
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
Yes this should work fine in the instant pot. I would do 40 minutes with a natural release of the pressure.
Charlotte says
Do you think it would be possible to sub the pork for chicken breast? I've made this before with pork for family but I don't eat pork. Thank you 🙂
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
I would use chicken thighs rather than breast and it should be fine.
Carole says
Delicious BBQ sauce recipe. I used left over cooked pork joint and it worked out great.
Anne Wynn says
I have a turkey thigh joint… do you think it would work for this recipe please? xx
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
I haven't tested with a turkey thigh joint.
Karen says
Best pulled pork ever! My dad was devastated when I told him I was making a slimming friendly dinner, he promptly polished off the plate and asked for the recipe. It’s super easy and just the right amount of spice and sweetness.
Linda Creswell says
We tried this recipe yesterday for the first time. It was divine. My husband has tried various pulled pork sandwiches over the years and declared this recipe the tastiest.