Clean Eating Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

Table of Contents

How To Make Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches In A Slow Cooker How Many Sandwiches Per Pound Of Pork? What To Serve With Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches Healthy Sauce For Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches How To Reheat Pulled Pork Can You Freeze Pulled Pork? Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches What To Put On Your Sandwich Other Ways To Use Pulled Pork Recipe Supplies More Healthy Sandwich Recipes Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches In A Slow Cooker Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Slow Cooker) Equipment Ingredients Instructions Notes Nutrition FAQs References

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These slow cooker, healthy pulled pork sandwiches are filling, totally tasty, and will definitely leave you hoping for leftovers!

This was such an easy dinner! I was exhausted when I got home after running errands all day and this pulled pork was ready when I got there. How awesome is that?!

Clean Eating Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe (1)

If you love a good pulled pork sandwich, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite. I’ll give you serving ideas, portions, and more below.

How To Make Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches In A Slow Cooker

This is super simple! Make your sauce. Place the pork in your slow cooker, pour the sauce over it, put the lid on, set the slow cooker temperature, and let it do its thing. Once it’s done, you can shred the pork with forks or by using a hand-held electric mixer. But it should actually be tender enough to shred easily just by stirring it with a wooden spoon.

How Many Sandwiches Per Pound Of Pork?

If you are planning for multiple people, here is an easy cheat sheet for planning how much pork to make. You can scale the recipe by hovering your mouse over the yield number and using the sliding scale that pops up. Keep in mind that this is a loose outline. The final amount of sandwiches will depend on how much pork you use for each sandwich. And if you choose to use pork that has a bone in it, you’ll want to buy extra to accommodate for that so the poundage is the actual meat.

Pulled pork is usually even better the next day, so don’t be shy on portions. Make extra so you have some pulled pork leftover for the day after.

12 lb. pork = 36 sandwiches
10 lb. pork = 30 sandwiches
8 lb. pork = 24 sandwiches
6 lb. pork = 18 sandwiches
4 lb. pork = 12 sandwiches
2 lb. pork = 6 sandwiches

Clean Eating Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe (2)

What To Serve With Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

As with most sandwiches, many different side dishes will work. But if you’re wondering what goes good with pulled pork sandwiches, here are some suggestions that will go well with this pulled pork recipe:

Raw veggies
Steamed veggies
Grilled veggies
Fruit salad
Green salad
Potato salad
Fries
Macaroni salad
Chips
Quinoa salad
Couscous salad
While rice salad
Coleslaw

Clean Eating Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe (3)

Healthy Sauce For Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Typically, the sauce for pulled pork sandwiches are recipes filled with a bottle of this and a bottle of that. Lots of processed ingredients and plenty of sugar in various forms. This sauce is made from scratch with easy-to-find ingredients and only takes about 5 minutes to pull together.

How To Reheat Pulled Pork

While microwaves are quick and easy, they will completely dry out your pulled pork, making it rubbery. The best way to reheat pulled pork is in a skillet over medium heat. Stir it continuously as it warms. Don’t overheat the pulled pork. Get it just warm enough to be comfortably edible.

Can You Freeze Pulled Pork?

Absolutely! It will keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months. Make sure you freeze with the sauce in a freezer-safe container or zipper-top bag. If using a bag, squeeze as much air out of the bag as you can while you close the zipper.

To thaw frozen pulled pork, set in the fridge for 24 hours for larger portions, or just overnight (about 8 hours) for smaller portions. Never thaw on a counter or anywhere outside of your fridge.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Can you make pulled pork in an Instant Pot? Absolutely! You’ll want to follow the recipe below exactly the same, only assemble everything in your Instant Pot insert. Secure the lid and close the vent. Make sure the pressure is set to high. Press the Manual button, and adjust the timer to 75 minutes for 4 pounds of pork. Do a quick release (watch out for the steam!), remove the lid, and then shred your pork.

What To Put On Your Sandwich

Hands down, the best topping on a pulled pork sandwich is a good coleslaw. It’s just the right amount of bite and texture for pulled pork.

Sliced, red onions are another great option, as are lettuce and tomato slices.

Other Ways To Use Pulled Pork

Sandwiches aren’t the only way to use pulled pork. If you make a big batch and find you have leftovers but don’t want more sandwiches, here are some ideas for more ways to serve pulled pork.

Pork tacos
Macaroni and cheese
Burritos
Sliders
Pizza
Pasta

Recipe Supplies

You can use either of these two appliances to cook this recipe.

Clean Eating Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe (5)

KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Qt. Slow Cooker with Standard Lid – Stainless Steel

Clean Eating Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe (6)

Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, 15 One-Touch Programs,Stainless Steel/Black

More Healthy Sandwich Recipes

Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
Chicken Sliders
Lentil Sloppy Joes

Note: If you like more of a BBQ flavor, try this recipe for homemade barbecue saucein place of this sauce instead.

Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches In A Slow Cooker

Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Slow Cooker)

These delicious clean eating slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches are sure to become a family favorite!

3.29 from 7 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 hours hours

Total Time: 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 317kcal

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

4 lbs. pork shoulder
30 oz. canned tomato sauce (no sugar added)
3 tbsp. onion powder
2 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. cumin
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. cayenne
salt to taste after cooking

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Place the pork in your slow cooker.
In a medium mixing bowl, blend the tomato sauce together with all the spices.
Pour the sauce over the pork.
Cook on low heat for 5-7 hours, or until the pork easily shreds with a fork when puled at. You should be able to shred it simply by stirring the pot.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 6/10/12.

Clean Eating Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best liquid to cook pulled pork in? ›

Transfer everything to a large slow cooker and add a splash of liquid — water is great, but so is broth, apple juice, or beer if you have them handy. Cover and cook on low until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.

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Can pulled pork be healthy? ›

Yes, pulled pork can be a healthy part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation and prepared in a healthy way. It is a good source of protein and certain vitamins, but it is also high in fat and calories. It's important to choose lean cuts of pork and limit added sugars and sodium in BBQ sauces.

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What is best cut of meat for pulled pork in slow cooker? ›

When it comes to making pulled pork, look for a boneless pork shoulder. Sometimes it's also called a pork butt or Boston butt. You can find bone-in pork shoulders, though I prefer a boneless pork shoulder for more meat in my slow cooker.

Should pulled pork be covered in liquid in slow cooker? ›

Your liquid should not cover your pork in the slow cooker: it should only come up about a quarter of the way up the sides. The pork will make more liquid as it cooks, and you need to leave room for that. And 10 hours later, this huge hunk of meat is tender and ready.

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Why do you put vinegar in pulled pork? ›

This thin, vinegar-based finishing sauce, which differs from a BBQ sauce, is the secret ingredient to kick up my smoked pulled pork. After you've pulled your pork butt, drizzle over the meat and combine. The vinegar adds contrast to the smoky flavor and cuts through the fat in the meat.

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How to keep pulled pork moist in a slow cooker? ›

If it is expected to be served within a few hours after smoking, it is better to store it in a crockpot set at the lowest possible temperature. Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot.

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What is the healthiest way to eat pork? ›

Instead of frying, opt for grilling, roasting, baking, or broiling. It's best to avoid fat-heavy pork products like bacon. Opt instead for leaner varieties that are minimally processed and higher in protein. Eating undercooked or raw pork can result in parasitic infections.

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Is pulled pork inflammatory? ›

Fatty meats

Research shows that fatty meats like beef, pork and lamb are associated with low-grade inflammation. Animal fats and saturated fats can alter your gut bacteria by increasing lipopolysaccharides, which can trigger inflammation.

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Is pulled pork healthier than chicken? ›

Pulled chicken is the healthier choice

A three-ounce portion of homemade pulled chicken contains 184 calories, while pulled pork includes a whopping 283 calories. That's a hefty 99-calorie difference!

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Why is my pulled pork still tough in the slow cooker? ›

It's because you haven't let the collagen break down. Extend the cook time, make sure there's enough liquid and keep an eye on the dish.

Can you overcook slow cooker pulled pork? ›

On low heat, cook for 8-10 hours; on high heat, cook for 5-6 hours. The pork should be fork-tender and easily shredded. Can you overcook pulled pork in a slow cooker? Yes, overcooking can lead to dry, tough meat.

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Should I flip my pork shoulder in a slow cooker? ›

Close the Proofer and allow the pork to cook for a total of 10 or 11 hours. Midway during the slow cook process you can turn the pork over once. After 10 hours check the interior of the pork with a thermometer. We recommend a temperature of 195-200 °F / 90-93 °C for tender, juicy pork which pulls apart easily.

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What juice keeps pulled pork moist? ›

Use a spritzer bottle filled with a liquid of your choice to keep the pork moist during the smoking process. I recommend apple juice or a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. Spritz the pork every 45-60 minutes.

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What liquid should I cook pork in? ›

Worcestershire sauce with cola is a classic combo for slow-cooked pork, but barbecue sauce and orange juice, a pale ale and apple cider vinegar, or Dijon mustard and honey are equally as delicious combos.

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How do you make pulled pork more moist? ›

Brining overnight locks in juices and injects flavour all the way through the pork so every mouthful of pork is seasoned; and. Slow-roasting at a very low temperature means less moisture loss and in turn more succulent meat.

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How do I get more flavor in my pulled pork? ›

We use brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, a good amount of salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne! Make sure you use all of the seasoning! Also, really rub it into the pulled pork, get all of the nooks and crannies!

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