Week 23: Pulled Pork + Coleslaw

Published by Emily,

I haven't found the nerve to google it yet (for fear of losing my appetite) but pork "butt" is another word for pork shoulder... right? I hardly ever cook with pork, but I've really enjoyed pulled pork/carnitas the few times I’ve tried it and wanted to give this recipe a try. The pulled pork alone took 8 hours in a crock pot... but it was SO worth it.
I started preparing the pork shoulder at a bit of an unusual time, and found myself pulling pork at 3am... Just like the other cool kids my age. It’s best to prepare the rub and ingredients and throw them in the crock pot early in the morning so it’s ready when you get back from work or school.
I served the pulled pork on a toasted ciabatta bun and topped it with some homemade, smoky coleslaw. The coleslaw was super easy to make; thankfully so, because one of my biggest fears as a consumer - besides having to listen to Pitbull or Nickleback while I'm shopping - is buying dry coleslaw. Needless to say, my 'slaw was definitely not lacking in dressing.
Recipe
Pulled pork
Ingredients
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 cup low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cinammon
1 3-4 pound pork shoulder, fat removed
1 cup barbecue sauce
Directions
Line the bottom of the crock pot with the think onion slices and garlic. Pour in the broth and turn the crock pot to high to heat up the broth.
Pat the pork shoulder dry using paper towel.
Mix the brown sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin, and cinammon in a plate or bowl. Next, rub the seasoning onto the pork shoulder (or simply dip the pork shoulder into the seasoning to coat it).
Place the pork shoulder on top of the onions. Slow cook on high for about 6 hours. Or on low for at least 8 hours. When the meat is tender, remove it from the slow cooker and put it on a cutting board.
Pull the pork using two forks or tongs. Pour the broth through a strainer, keeping the large onion and garlic slices and dispose of the broth. Place the onion back in the slow cooker, along with the pulled pork. Add the barbecue sauce and mix well.
Cook for another 30 minutes or so before serving.
The pulled pork is great on a ciabatta bun, or may be used on pizzas or in burritos. Or you can eat it by the handful at 3 in the morning when nobody is watching, like I did. Enjoy!
Coleslaw
Ingredients
1/2 a head of cabbage, shredded or cut into thin slices
1 cup shredded carrots
2 tbsp diced onion (I used white)
2/3 cup organic mayonnaise
1 tbsp organic apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp paprika
Directions
Whisk together the mayo, vinegar, sugar, sea salt, and paprika. Give the mixture a taste and adjust to your liking
Mix (in a large bowl) the sauce into the cabbage, carrots, and onions until evenly distributed.