Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork
Juicy, flavorful and fall apart tender, this Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork makes amazing sandwiches but is also fabulous on tacos, mac and cheese, and salads.
The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
There’s nothing quite like a messy pulled pork sandwich on a summer day, the flavors of sweet and spicy pork mingling with crisp sweet and sour coleslaw, juices soaking into the bottom bun, making holding the sandwich a bit untenable, but delectable nonetheless.
It’s the kind of sandwich you won’t want to put down for fear of losing even one morsel of this delicious, saucy mess in the transfer.
We are in love with this Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork, which gets its smoky sweet heat from a spicy pork rub, apple cider vinegar, and honey.
Slow cooked for hours, the pork is so tender it’ll fall apart with nothing more than a stern look, and it has a flavor bold enough to stand on its own or be smothered in your favorite BBQ sauce, whichever you prefer.
My husband says this pulled pork beats the pants off City BBQ and I agree with him!
Why You’ll Love this Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork
Minimal prep time– You can have this pulled pork in the crock pot in about 15 minutes!
Super versatile– Because this pulled pork is made without ketchup or BBQ sauce, it’s incredibly versatile. Just like our favorite slow cooker shredded beef, this recipe can be repurposed for different meals all week. Toss it in tacos, salads, and more!
Great for gatherings– The slow cooker does most of the work for this recipe, making it a fantastic make ahead option for parties.
Key Ingredients
Pork Shoulder– Pork shoulder is the ideal cut of meat for pulled pork, benefitting from low and slow cooking that melts the fat and leaves the meat fork tender. This cut may also be referred to as a Boston butt, pork butt, or pork blade roast at the grocery store.
Spices– Our pulled pork rub uses a combination of smoked paprika, Kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and mustard powder for layers of flavor that deliver both heat and smokiness.
Apple Cider Vinegar– The tang of vinegar helps offset the richness of the pork and seasonings. You can substitute white wine vinegar or slightly less plain white vinegar if you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand.
Honey– Balance out the heat with a touch of honey.
Onion and Garlic– These aromatics add flavor and will also make your house smell amazing.
How to Make Spicy Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
Step 1: Mix together the rub. In a bowl, whisk together all of the dry seasonings. Add the honey and apple cider vinegar and whisk until combined.
Step 2: Prepare the slow cooker. Place the onions at the bottom of the slow cooker and top with the pork. Pour the rub mixture evenly over both sides of the pork.
Step 3: Cook. Cover the crock pot and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.
Step 4: Shred. Remove the pork pieces to a cutting board with a groove for catching liquids. Shred with two forks.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
One of the BEST things about this recipe is how easy it is to make ahead. Of course, with slow cooking, you’re already making the pork ahead of time, but the pork can be made up to 3 days in advance and reheated as needed.
If it’s possible, it might even be a tad better the second day!
Leftover pulled pork should be stored in a sealed container in the fridge and will keep for up to 5 days.
Reheat leftover pulled pork in the microwave for single portions, or reheat large portions in a crock pot on high for 1 hour or low for 2 hours. Make sure you include the juices when reheating in the crock pot!
If you want crispy pulled pork, reheat on the stove top with a little bit of oil over medium high heat.
Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork Sandwich Toppings
Our perfect pulled pork sandwich is made with a squeeze of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce and piled high with vinegar coleslaw on brioche buns. If we’re feeling brave, we also add fresh jalapenos.
That said, there are many other toppings for pulled pork sandwiches. Feel free to experiment with your favorite combo of pickles, fresh or pickled red onions, or slices of cheddar or colby jack cheese.
FAQs
What goes with pulled pork?
Some of our favorite sides for pulled pork include creamy mac and cheese, corn souffle and cowboy baked beans.
It also pairs well with fresh and tangy salads like cucumber tomato salad, Italian bowtie pasta salad, and That Good Salad.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, if you have a large (6 quart+) crock pot you can double the recipe to feed a crowd.
Can I make this pulled pork spicier or less spicy?
Yes! The heat in this is totally customizable! Use more cayenne pepper for a bold heat or omit it completely if you don’t enjoy heat at all.
You can also add sliced jalapenos to the crock pot to increase the heat or top your sandwich with them.
Can I use a pork loin for pulled pork?
Yes, you can use a pork loin for pulled pork, but note this is different than a pork tenderloin, which is a different cut that is not suitable for pulled pork. If you’ve got a tenderloin, try this Mediterranean Stuffed Pork Tenderloin.
What to make with leftover pulled pork?
Pulled pork is great on so many things. It pairs well with almost any Mexican dish, including pulled pork tacos, quesadillas, and burritos, or sub pulled pork for beef in these cast iron skillet nachos.
Pulled pork also pairs well with eggs, so it’s perfect for a breakfast scramble or hash.
Of course, we also love pulled pork mac and cheese (the most ridiculously comforting meal!) or, for something lighter, a pulled pork salad!
More Easy Slow Cooker Dinners to Try
Loaded Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Slow Cooker Steak Bites
Slow Cooker Chicken Chilaquiles
Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches
Slow Cooker Beef Stew and Dumplings
Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork takes only about 10 minutes of prep time and leaves the rest of the work to your crock pot. Tender and smoky with a sweet heat, this is a versatile pulled pork that can be served with or without BBQ sauce.
Course Sandwiches and BurgersCuisine AmericanKeyword slow cooker pulled pork, sweet and spicy pulled pork
Prep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 8 hours hoursTotal Time 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings 7
Calories 431kcal
EquipmentHamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker, 6 QtCutting Board with Groove
Ingredients1 ½ Tablespoons smoked paprika1 Tablespoon Kosher salt2 teaspoons black pepper½-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper2 teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon mustard powder¼ cup honey¼ cup apple cider vinegar2 cloves garlic minced1 onion sliced in wedges3 ½-4 pounds pork shoulder cut in halfFor the sandwiches:brioche buns toastedBBQ sauce of your choicesweet and sour coleslawsliced jalapenos optional
InstructionsIn a small bowl whisk together the smoked paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, and mustard powder. Whisk in the honey, apple cider vinegar, and garlic.Place the chopped onion at the bottom of your slow cooker. Lay the pork shoulder pieces on top of the onion. Pour half the spice mixture over top, then flip the pork pieces over and pour the rest of the spice mixture in.Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 9-10 hours.Remove pork pieces from the slow cooker and shred with a fork, removing any large pieces of fat. Return to the slow cooker and stir.To make the sandwiches, pile the pulled pork on the buns, top with BBQ sauce, coleslaw, and jalapenos, and serve.
Notes
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper will give this recipe a little kick. Increase it to a teaspoon (or more!) for more heat.
The pork keeps well for in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or saute in a pan with oil for crispy pork.
NutritionCalories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1305mg | Potassium: 568mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 810IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mgThe post Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork appeared first on NeighborFood.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings