Description
Slow-cooker pulled pork brings Southern barbecue magic right to your kitchen with tender, juicy meat. Succulent pork shoulder marinates in a tangy sauce, creating irresistible flavor you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 chicken breasts, boneless (about 1 pound / 454 grams)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 onion, large, diced
- 1 carrot, large, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5–6 cups broccoli florets (fresh or thawed)
- 2 tbsps olive oil (divided)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water (plus more if needed)
- ¼ cup white rice, uncooked
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp parsley, fresh, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, fresh, to taste
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Craft a vibrant barbecue sauce by blending together all components, creating a harmonious, zesty liquid base that will infuse the pork with robust flavors.
- Aromatic Foundation: Finely chop onions and mince garlic, dispersing these aromatic ingredients throughout the crockpot to enhance the overall taste profile.
- Meat Placement: Divide the pork roast into manageable portions and nestle them into the crockpot, ensuring maximum contact with the seasoned sauce.
- Liquid Immersion: Thoroughly coat the meat with the prepared sauce, guaranteeing complete coverage and moisture retention during the slow-cooking process.
- Slow Cooking: Activate the crockpot on high setting and allow the pork to simmer and tenderize for 4-6 hours, periodically monitoring its progress and moisture levels.
- Meat Transformation: Validate the pork’s readiness by attempting to pull it apart with two forks; the meat should separate effortlessly and exhibit a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Shredding and Finishing: Extract the pork from the cooking liquid, meticulously shred it into delicate strands, then reintroduce it to the remaining sauce to maximize flavor absorption.
- Serving Suggestions: Present the succulent pulled pork on pillowy rolls, complemented by crisp coleslaw, tangy pickles, or utilize as a versatile filling for various culinary creations like tacos, burritos, or hearty chili.
Notes
- Sauce Selection Strategy: Choose a high-quality barbecue sauce with balanced sweetness and tanginess to elevate the overall flavor of the pulled pork.
- Meat Moisture Mastery: Opt for a well-marbled pork roast like Boston butt or shoulder to guarantee maximum tenderness and juiciness during slow cooking.
- Flavor Boosting Technique: Allow the shredded pork to rest in the cooking liquid for 10-15 minutes after shredding to intensify the sauce absorption and enhance taste depth.
- Storage Smart Tip: Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container with some cooking liquid to maintain moisture and prevent drying out for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg