Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich

Saucy, smoky, tangy and tender, this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe is everything you love about the barbecue favorite, but without all the fuss! Let your slow-cooker do the heavy lifting and enjoy perfectly prepared Pulled Pork Sandwiches!

I have learned to embrace my slow cooker in the summer months. I love to grill; the crispy char on grilled foods, and cooking al fresco in the warmer months is a treat. But there are some days when running my kids to camp, the pool, the park, or the beach, leaves me with less desire to be in the kitchen.

Perfect Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

These Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches start with pork shoulder that is seasoned and browned in a skillet, and then slow-cooked to perfection. I take help from store-bought buns, deli-prepared coleslaw and my favorite barbeque sauce to turn this pork into a meal – a delicious sandwich that is great for weeknight dinners and weekend cookouts alike! Just avoid the irony of the word “cookout.”

Health Benefits of Pork

As a meat, pork has a certain reputation. But pork provides essential nutrients and can be a part of a healthy lifestyle. A few benefits of including consuming pork:

Rich in Thiamine – Pork is richer in thiamine, a B vitamin required for a range of bodily functions, than other red meats like beef and lamb.

Vitamins B6 and B12 – also abundant in pork, B6 and B12 are essential for blood cell formation and brain function.

Beta-Alanine – this amino acid helps your body form a compound called carnosine. Carnosine is important for muscle function.

Pork Shoulder and Rub

2 lbs of pork shoulder makes 6-8 servings of Slow-cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches. If you’d like leftovers for another easy lunch or dinner, add another half or full pound of meat. If you’re cooking for two-four, simply cook 1 lb of meat, and divide the spices and other ingredients by half.

The traditional flavors of barbecued pork shoulder are captured in this rub:

2 tbsp Light Brown Suger

2 tsp Hungarian Sweet Paprika

2 tsp Smoked Paprika

2 tsp Mustard Powder

1 tsp Ground Cumin

2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Use a whisk or fork to combine the seasonings and then rub all over the pork shoulder.

Brown the Seasoned Pork

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over Medium Heat and add the pork shoulder, turning to brown on all sides. About 5 Min total.

Transfer Pork to Slow Cooker

Transfer the pork from the skillet to the slow cooker and add 1/2 cup water.

Create Slow Cooker Braising Liquid

The pork will tenderize in a saucy liquid of:

1/2 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar

4 tbsp Tomato Paste

2 tbsp Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup of Water

Combine these ingredients in a mixing bowl, and then pour over the pork.

Any remaining rub can be included on the top of the pork for added flavor. No need to throw away that flavor goodness!

Slow Cook for 7 Hours

Cover slow cooker with the lid and turn on Low Heat. Cook for 7 Hours, until fall apart tender.

After 7 hours, use 2 forks to shred the pork. Return to the slow cooker to soak up the juices. Pile onto a bun with your favorite deli-prepared coleslaw. Top with a spoonful of your favorite barbecue sauce.

Enjoy! And if you like the recipe, please share on Pinterest, or snap a photo of your creation and tag me on Twitter, or Instagram!