Crock Pot Pulled Pork

I don't know about you, but I don't like spending all day in the kitchen after a long day. I especially don't like heating up the whole house when it's hot hot hot outside - welcome the crock pot. This is one kitchen appliance that I think everyone should have. I know I sound like a broken record since I've said this before, but it's so true. Throw your ingredients in, plug in and cook all day. Not only do you come home to a yummy and cooked meal ready to go, you also didn't have to heat up the oven or turn on the stove for hours. It's so versatile - you can bake in it (bet you didn't know you could do that), make drinks in it, make sauce, make stew, make chili, make roasts and the list goes on and on. If you don't have one, go get one!

This crock pot pulled pork is a real winner. It's super easy and even better, it comes with homemade BBQ sauce! Didn't think you knew how to make BBQ sauce, well, I will change your mind. It's so fresh, easy and goes perfect with this pulled pork. This pulled pork also feeds a crowd and the left overs freeze great! Let me tell you how to get this going so you can make this recipe this week. I know it's hot here in California and I know it has to be hot where you are too. Avoid heating up that kitchen on a hot day, get that crock pot out and start cooking! This is a favorite everyone will love. Except for vegetarians.

The first time I made this, I used pork butt. The second time I made this I used center cut pork loin. I preferred the loin since it was less fatty, but still moist (and skinny!)

place meat in crock pot then top with salt, pepper and garlic powder

let's make the BBQ sauce!

spices for the sauce

tomato sauce + honey + molasses. STICKY.

stir in those spices

simmer, simmer simmer

when pork is done (it will be tender and just fall apart), shred it.

put back in crock + add some of the cooking liquid (not all of it or it will be too soggy!)

add in some of the bbq sauce, toss and then serve on buns and top with coleslaw! YUM!

Skinny Crock Pot Pulled Pork & Homemade BBQ Sauce (www.skinnytaste.com)

2.5 lb boneless pork loin roast (center cut, trimmed of all fat)
2 tsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Hickory liquid smoke
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt
1 cup Homemade Kansas City BBQ Sauce (see below for recpie)


Place pork in the slow cooker and season with salt, vinegar, garlic powder and liquid smoke. Cover and set to high 6 hours or low for 10 to 12 hours.. Remove pork and transfer onto a large dish, reserve all the liquid into a cup and set aside.  Shred the pork with two forks and put it back into the slow cooker along with about 3/4 cup of the reserved liquid and the BBQ sauce (start with 1/2 cup and add more as you like).  Cook on high one more hour.

Homemade Kansas City BBQ Sauce (www.skinnytaste.com)

1 1/3 cups tomato sauce

1/3 cup tomato paste
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup + 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup molasses (unsulfured)
2 tsp all natural hickory liquid smoke

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp chili powder

In a large saucepan combine all the ingredients and simmer over low heat for 25 minutes stirring occasionally. Let it cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Sauce can also be used on grilled meat, brush onto chicken, pork or beef the last 10 minutes of cooking.

One serving of this pulled pork is about 206 calories (bun not included). Add it to a whole wheat bun (I always use half) and top with some homemade coleslaw and you got yourself a delicious and filling meal for under 400 calories! Also note that this meat freezes great and can be used in my round two recipe (I will show you soon) - pulled pork taquitos!