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Bowl of slow-cooked pulled pork garnished with green onions and cilantro

Heart-Healthy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Tender slow-cooked pork with smoky spices and a lightly sweetened sauce made for meal prep, freezer meals, sandwiches, bowls, and easy weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 260
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds pork loin roast or trimmed pork shoulder
  • 1 medium onion sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup no-sugar-added tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar substitute or honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt optional

Method
 

  1. Place sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. Trim excess visible fat from the pork roast and place it on top of the onions.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together:
  4. chicken broth
  5. tomato sauce
  6. tomato paste
  7. apple cider vinegar
  8. Worcestershire sauce
  9. seasonings
  10. sweetener
  11. Pour sauce mixture over the pork.
  12. Cover and cook:
  13. LOW for 8 hours
  14. or HIGH for 5 hours
  15. Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks.
  16. Return shredded pork to the sauce and stir well.
  17. Let sit in the slow cooker for 10–15 minutes before serving so the pork absorbs more flavor.

Notes

Serving Ideas

  • Whole grain sandwich buns
  • Brown rice bowls
  • Stuffed sweet potatoes
  • Lettuce wraps
  • Cauliflower rice bowls
  • Freezer meal packs
  • Pulled pork tacos

Storage

Refrigerator

Store up to 4 days in airtight containers.

Freezer

Freeze portions for up to 3 months.

Meal Cluster Spin-Off Ideas

  • BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Potatoes
  • Pulled Pork Rice Bowls
  • Pulled Pork Vegetable Soup
  • Pulled Pork Sliders
  • Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese Bake
  • Southwest Pulled Pork Wraps
    As an alternative to using 2 forks to shred pork, remove pork and place in a bowl. Cut the meat into rough cubes. Use a mixer on low to gently and thoroughly shred meat. When uniformly shredded, return port to sauce.