Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder – The Dizzy Cook

This gradual cooker pork shoulder is my absolute favourite strategy to make pulled pork with out barbecue sauce. an excellent straightforward mix of seasonings blended with garlic and shallots delivers a ton of taste, whereas low, gradual cooking makes the meat tremendous tender and juicy.

It is laborious to withstand an excellent gradual-cooked pork shoulder, particularly when served on a bun for a summer season sandwich. makes an awesome meal prep recipe and could be very freezer-pleasant.

This Crock Pot Pork Shoulder is considered one of my favourite recipes for the hotter months. it retains the kitchen cool with out turning on the oven, however it goes nice with summer season salads and creamy coleslaw.

the key to an extremely-tender pork shoulder is to prepare dinner it over low warmth and use the right mix of spices. no barbecue sauce wanted!

You may love this gradual cooker pulled pork recipe as a result of:

• tremendous straightforward – simply throw all of it within the crock pot and neglect about it for 8 hours.
• decrease sugar: This recipe does not name for barbecue sauce, which might add a number of additional sugar (nearly a half cup as a substitute of 1 tablespoon).
• it is so tender – due to gradual, gradual cooking!
• Crock Pot Roasted Pork Shoulder
• substances
• step-by-step course of
• storage and freezing
• service ideas
• Vinegar Sauce for Pulled Pork
• regularly requested questions
• pork recipes
• gradual cooker pork shoulder

pork shoulder roasted in a crock pot

There are two kinds of pork cuts that work greatest with pulled pork: pork shoulder and pork loin. each come from the shoulder space of ​​the pig. pork tenderloin is also referred to as a “boston butt” and is mostly fattier. On this recipe, I take advantage of boneless pork loin roast as a result of it at all times appears to be the simplest factor for me to search out. it often comes wrapped with string to carry it collectively.

Each shoulder and pork loin are fairly robust and fatty cuts of meat, requiring gradual cooking. this enables the meat to disintegrate and change into tender and flavorful because it cooks.

substances

Not a lot goes into this gradual-cooked pork shoulder, however listed below are some highlights of the substances wanted.

• pork shoulder – this may also be substituted for pork loin, as talked about above. you should use boneless or bone-in. for bone-in, I like to recommend anticipating an extended cooking time of 1-2 hours. you may know it is prepared when it falls simply off the bone. a 3-4 pound pork shoulder will serve about 6-8 folks, relying on whether or not you make sandwiches or utilizing it for different recipes. observe that whereas it seems to be like a number of meat, it shrinks because it cooks.
• spices – I like to make use of chili powder with out cocoa or onion powder, like frontier or morton & bassett. You have already got loads of onion taste with the shallot. it solely takes a contact of brown sugar to chop by the pure saltiness of the pork.
• Broth: I like to recommend utilizing a vegetable broth for this recipe as a substitute of beef or hen broth. provides simply sufficient taste!

step-by-step course of

Step 1: Add the garlic and shallots. Prepare them on a single stage within the backside of the gradual cooker. set it to “low” temperature.

step 2: add the pork shoulder. pat dry with paper towels and add the roasted pork shoulder to the crock pot on prime of the garlic and shallots. in case your pork shoulder is wrapped in netting, be at liberty to take away it. generally mendacity down can assist every little thing prepare dinner quicker. (picture 1)

Step 3: Combine the seasonings collectively. Combine seasonings collectively and pat the highest of the pork shoulder, ensuring it’s evenly coated.

Step 4: Add the broth. Add a cup of broth to the gradual cooker, pouring alongside the perimeters and never on prime, in order that the seasoning stays on the cooking paddle. pig. (picture 2)

prepare dinner at low temperature for 8-10 hours. I like to recommend avoiding cooking on excessive warmth should you can, you may get the perfect taste and texture over low warmth. nevertheless, if crucial, I like to recommend cooking on excessive for six to eight hours. (picture 3)

Step 5: Shredding the meat. When performed, the pork shoulder will flake simply with two forks. take away the meat from the liquid within the gradual cooker if you don’t intend to serve it immediately. (picture 4)

storage and freezing

This pulled pork shoulder will preserve as much as 3-4 days in an hermetic container within the fridge.

for the fridge: Separate pork from liquid in crock pot. the liquid will accumulate a number of fats that may harden when it cools. to separate it, pour the liquid right into a glass container and place it within the fridge. as soon as it has cooled, a thick cream-coloured layer will type on prime of the liquid. that is fats. simply use a spoon to take away it and pour the remainder of the liquid over the pork earlier than consuming.

Freezer-pleasant: Place pork in a freezer-protected bag or container. freeze as much as 4 months. to thaw, place in fridge in a single day. to rapidly thaw , place the bag (ensure it’s utterly sealed) in heat water for half-hour.

service ideas

This recipe works nice with so many various meals. Listed below are just a few alternative ways you possibly can remodel this Crock Pot Pork Shoulder, together with some aspect dish concepts.

• pulled pork tacos: serve with tortillas, lettuce, queso fresco, and sliced ​​radish.
• Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Serve on Martin’s Potato Buns or your favourite hamburger buns with selfmade BBQ sauce. I’ve a recipe in my cookbook and a north carolina vinegar primarily based barbecue sauce beneath.
• pork quesadillas: serve between two tortillas with white American cheese. fry till the cheese has melted and the surface is golden brown and crisp.

garnishes

• wholesome coleslaw (truly goes nice on prime of a pulled pork sandwich).
• straightforward potato salad
• salad with ranch dressing

vinegar sauce for pulled pork

I extremely advocate pairing this gradual-cooked pork shoulder with this vinegar-primarily based sauce! It is scrumptious! This vinegar sauce recipe is impressed by North Carolina barbecue sauce. the spiciness enhances the wealthy pork properly, and it is also low in sugar in comparison with different barbecue sauce recipes.

• ¾ cup distilled white vinegar
• ¼-1/3 cup natural apple juice (no components)
• 1-½ teaspoons tomato paste
• ½ teaspoon purple pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon floor pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Place all substances in a small saucepan and simmer till the salt and sugar dissolve. take away from warmth and funky to room temperature or place within the fridge till able to serve. it is best should you can let it relaxation for at the least an hour.

this makes about 1 cup of sauce. regulate as wanted! the sauce ought to be used sparingly, so attempt a teaspoon or two in your serving earlier than consuming.

regularly requested questions

If you happen to make any of my recipes, do not forget to tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on fb and instagram. and please go away a remark beneath!

This submit was initially revealed as “North Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork” on January 29, 2018 and was up to date in April 2022 with new pictures, step-by-step course of, aspect dish concepts and cooking ideas.