Slow Cooker Sweet + Spicy Pulled Pork

Freezes Well and Feeds a Crowd.

My husband has always liked to cook and BBQ. When we moved to Texas a few years ago the BBQing got kicked up a few notches. He will cook hamburgers, chicken, steak and even ribs. The one thing I crave and can’t get out of my head is the pulled pork he makes. That stuff is fabulous!

There are perhaps a million different ways to make pulled pork because you can make so many spice combinations. After trying maybe 20 different spice recipes, we normally opt for something a little more simple. Garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, sugar and apple juice.

The apple juice is the one thing that never changes no matter what spices we use. It adds a touch of sweetness to the meat but keeps the moisture locked in. As you can see, it takes about a gallon of juice in order to keep approximately 4 pounds of pork moist. If you are eyeballing the liquid, just make sure that in whatever container you’re using to cook the pork that it is at least ¾ of the way covered.

As you can see, it takes about a gallon of juice in order to keep approximately 4 pounds of pork moist in the slow cooker. If you are eyeballing the liquid, just make sure that the pork that it is at least ¾ of the way covered.

The large crock pot that I used has a temperature setting on it. I set it to 350 degrees and covered it with a lid. I cooked the pork for about two hours and then broke the meat into smaller sections, making sure to flip the meat in the process. I like to do this so the part of the meat that wasn’t covered before is now covered and soaking up the juices and flavors. This allows all of the meat to cook properly and become tender.

I continued to cook for another hour or so and then I turned the crock pot off. I shredded the pork into smaller pieces and let it sit in the juices while I worked on sides and the buns. BBQ sauce, pickles, onions, and coleslaw are great toppings or side dishes.

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds of pork
• 1 gallon of apple juice
• 1-2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon of salt (use to taste)
• 2-3 tablespoons of fresh garlic
• ½ cup of brown sugar
• 1 squirt of regular yellow mustard (around 1 tablespoon)
• 1 large onion, chopped into large pieces
• 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
• If you like a smoky flavor, you can add liquid smoke

Other Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipes

This post from Pinch of Nutmeg looks like a keeper and even though I don’t drink any kind of soda, I’m not above cooking with it for the flavor. Be sure to stop by Meg’s post and see how easy Slow Cooker Sweet & Smoky Pulled Pork is to make. Also, crockpot pulled pork from Lauren Greutman looks pretty tasty.

The next time you think about making pulled pork, remember to use apple juice as the liquid and play with the spices you have. Sweet and spicy are my families favorite. What are yours?