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+ servings
Course dinner

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe with Homemade BBQ Sauce {Paleo}

By: Elysia
Servings 6 - 8 servings
This paleo pulled pork with homemade BBQ sauce is the ultimate quick and easy dinner recipe that can be made in the slow cooker! It's so flavorful and versatile and perfect as a family-friendly meal or for serving up to a crowd. Plus, it's freezer-friendly too! {Gluten-free & paleo}
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups tomato sauce in the can
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons tamari sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon molasses (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3-4 pounds pork shoulder

Instructions

  • Add oil to a medium sized saucepan set over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Make sure to stir the mixture frequently and watch the garlic because it can burn easily.
  • Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, tamari, mustard and molasses (if using) into the pan. Stir to combine.
  • Add in seasonings and spices including the salt, pepper, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
  • Allow mixture to come to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Just be careful because if the heat is too high, the mixture will start to boil and splatter.
  • Place pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Pour sauce over top. Cook for 8-10 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high.
  • Shred the pork using two forks (you may wish to transfer the pork to a separate plate) and remove any visible fat. Add the pork back to the sauce and toss to combine. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

  • Store pulled pork in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months. 
  • I highly recommend making up a double or triple batch of this BBQ sauce and freezing the leftovers. That way, you can simply thaw it out and dump it into the crockpot with the pork for a quick and easy meal throughout the week! I love using these Souper Cubes to freeze extra sauce. They make meal prepping so easy!
  • If you prefer a smoother BBQ sauce, you can blend the onions into it with an immersion blender or regular blender.
  • If time allows, I recommend cooking the pork low and slow since the longer cooking time will result in a more tender pulled pork. That being said, our goal is tender and juicy pork that can be pulled apart effortlessly, but still has the texture of meat -- not mush! Cook it for just the right amount of time (8-10 hours on low is generally sufficient).
  • This is totally optional, but if you want to add some extra flavor to the pork, you can brown it in the oven for a bit before adding it to the slow cooker.

Nutrition

Calories: 241kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 24gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 878mgPotassium: 767mgFiber: 2gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 627IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 3mg
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