A Flavorful Twist on a Slow Cooker Classic!
Ready to step away from the usual smoky barbecue sauce? This Slow Cooker Asian-Style Pulled Pork is the answer! It’s a wonderfully refreshing take on a comfort food favorite, packed with savory, umami-rich flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. We swap out the traditional BBQ sauce for a vibrant blend of soy sauce, nutty sesame oil, and a hint of spice. The best part? Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, transforming a simple pork shoulder into incredibly tender, shreddable meat. Served in crisp lettuce cups, it’s a light, satisfying, and incredibly easy meal perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon / 15 ml canola oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
• 1 boneless pork shoulder roast (about 2 pounds / 900 g)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup / 60 ml soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon / 5 ml hot wing sauce
• 2 tablespoons / 30 ml sugar-free maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon / 15 ml sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon / 9 g sesame seeds, toasted
• ⅓ cup / 15 g minced fresh cilantro
• Lettuce leaves, such as iceberg, romaine, or butter lettuce for serving
Instructions
1. Rub the canola oil along the bottom and sides of a medium-sized slow cooker stoneware. Add the chopped onion and diced red pepper, spreading them in an even layer. Place the pork shoulder on top of the vegetables.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, soy sauce, hot wing sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds until well combined.
3. Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the pork roast in the slow cooker.
4. Cover and cook on the Low setting for 6 to 8 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender.
5. Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Using two forks, shred the meat.
6. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce and vegetables. Stir in the fresh cilantro just before serving.
7. To serve, spoon the warm pork mixture into the center of individual lettuce leaves. Diners can then fold the lettuce around the filling to create their own wraps.
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving
• Calories: 280
• Fat: 18 g (58%)
• Net Carbs: 3 g (4%)
• Protein: 23 g (33%)
Pro Tips
• For an extra layer of flavor, sear the pork shoulder on all sides in a hot, oiled skillet before placing it in the slow cooker. This creates a delicious caramelized crust.
• Butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce leaves are excellent choices for wraps as they are naturally cup-shaped, tender, and flexible.
• Make this a complete meal by serving with a side of steamed rice or quinoa, allowing guests to build their own bowls instead of wraps.
• The pulled pork stores wonderfully. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day!
FAQ
Q: What cut of pork is best for this recipe
A: The recipe calls for a boneless pork shoulder roast, which is ideal for slow cooking as it becomes incredibly tender and easy to shred.
Q: How long can I store the leftovers
A: You can store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day.
Q: What are the best serving suggestions for this pulled pork
A: This Asian-style pulled pork is perfect for serving in crisp lettuce cups, such as butter lettuce or romaine. For a heartier meal, you can also serve it with a side of steamed rice or quinoa to build your own bowls.
Q: Can I make this recipe spicier
A: Yes, the recipe uses hot wing sauce for a hint of spice. You can easily adjust the amount of hot wing sauce or add other spices like red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture to increase the heat to your liking.
