• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Nessy Kitchen
  • Home
  • Browse Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Meal Plan
  • Recipe Index
  • Mains
  • Breakfast
  • Snacks
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Meal Plan
    • Recipe Index
    • Mains
    • Breakfast
    • Snacks
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    • Buffalo chicken casserole in a glass dish topped with green onions and bacon.
      Buffalo Chicken and Potato Casserole
    • Lava cake on a plate with raspberries.
      Lava Cakes (Small Batch)
    • Grey bowl filled with Jamaican chicken curry over rice.
      Slow Cooker Jamaican Chicken Curry
    • Bowl of barbecue sauce with a spoon.
      No Cook Barbecue Sauce
    • Sliced granola bars on a cutting board.
      Quinoa Granola Bars
    • Bowl of sourdough dressing garnished with fresh rosemary.
      Sourdough Stuffing
    • Taco seasoning on a spoon.
      Taco Seasoning (Small Batch)
    • Bowl of cooked black beans with a spoon.
      Slow Cooker Black Beans
    • Hand holding a peanut butter square.
      Crunchy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (No Bake)
    • Stack of quesadillas on a plate.
      Pizza Quesadillas
    • Sheet pan of roasted sweet potatoes and apples topped with fresh rosemary.
      Apple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
    • Balsamic sautéed Brussels sprouts in a skillet with a spoon.
      Balsamic Sautéed Brussels Sprouts
    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    The Best Sugar Free Pulled Pork

    Published: Apr 6, 2022, Last Modified: Nov 28, 2023 by Janessa.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Flavored with just seasonings, this pulled pork includes no added sugar and cooks hands off in the slow cooker. But don't be fooled by its simplicity- it is packed with flavor and so juicy.

    Jump to:
    • The Ingredients
    • The Method
    • Leftovers and Storage
    • Make it Your Own
    • Ideas for How to Use Pulled Pork (Sandwiches and Beyond!)
    • And if you liked this recipe...
    • Sugar Free Pulled Pork
    • Comments
    Pulled pork on a bed of coleslaw.

    As a teenager, a pulled pork sandwich was what I ordered any time that I was at a restaurant with one on the menu. But as I started to become more aware of nutrition, I discovered that often the sandwich would contain as much as ¼ cup of sugar!

    I didn't want to give up my beloved pulled pork. And so after playing around with making my own for a few years, I now have a recipe that I like way better than any I have tried!.

    By not adding sugar to the pork and instead focusing on seasoning, the pork flavor really shines. And then you can control the level of sweetness by adding some Barbecue Sauce.

    But because the pork isn't sweetened, there are so many other delicious recipes that leftovers can be used in such as salads and soups.

    The Ingredients

    • Pork Roast- Since pulled pork gets cooked for so long, it is a great way to use cheaper and tougher cuts of meat. Fattier cuts of meat tend to make the most moist pulled pork. However, I have used all sorts of cuts of pork for this recipe and gotten great results! Pork shoulder, pork loin, pork tenderloin and even a pack of pork chops. Just make sure that that you use boneless pork.
    • Water
    • Black Pepper
    • Sea Salt
    • Paprika
    • Garlic Powder
    • Onion Powder

    The Method

    1. Add ingredients to the crock pot. Place the pork in the bottom of the slow cooker and then pour in the water. Sprinkle all of the seasonings over the top and cover with a lid.
    2. Cook. Pulled pork generally takes 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low. However, all slow cookers are a bit different so you might want to start checking it a bit earlier.
    3. Shred. Once the pork is tender, shred with a fork right in the slow cooker. Then give it a small stir and allow it to continue to cook for about 30 minutes in order to absorb most of the juices.
    4. Serve. There are so many great ways to eat pulled pork. Be sure to check out some of my suggestions below!

    Leftovers and Storage

    To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

    To Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave. Or you can reheat leftovers in the oven at 350F in a covered oven safe dish for 15-30 minutes (depending on how much you are reheating).

    Pulled pork in a glass bowl.

    Make it Your Own

    If you want to put in a tad more effort with this Pulled Pork Recipe (but you don't need to- it is great as it is!), you could add some chopped onions and garlic on top like we do in this Pork Carnitas recipe!

    Ideas for How to Use Pulled Pork (Sandwiches and Beyond!)

    This Pulled Pork is honestly one of my favourite foods! I have definitely eaten it on its own with just a fork (or maybe my fingers...) and in all other sorts of ways! Some suggestions for how to use it:

    • Classic Pulled Pork Sandwiches- Mix the pork with some Barbecue Sauce, add it to a bun and top it with your favourite fixings! Onions, pickles, slaw, cheese, etc.
    • Or a Classic "Sandwich" Salad- You can also skip the bun and pile the pork on top of a bed of coleslaw, onions, pickles, etc. and enjoy it as a salad.
    • Chimichurri Pulled Pork Sandwiches- Or you take a slightly different sandwich route and use pork in place of chicken in this Chimichurri Chicken Grilled Cheese.
    • BBQ Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes- Use it in place of chicken in these Stuffed Barbecue Chicken Sweet Potatoes.
    • Pulled Pork Nachos- Use the pork in place of chicken in these White Cheddar Chicken Nachos and top with some Easy 5 minute Salsa!
    • Add it to a Salad- This pork would be a delicious way to add some more protein to a garden salad or to this Santa Fe Salad!
    • Use it in Soup- Try using it in place of shredded chicken in your favourite soup or as an addition in a meatless soup. I think it would be great in place of chicken in Pumpkin Rice Soup or White Chili- just add it at the end when you would stir in the cooked chicken!
    • Make Quesadillas- I've been wanting to try this recipe- it looks delicious!
    • Check out this list of 28 Ways to Eat Pulled Pork without Bread for even more ideas!

    What are some good sides for with pulled pork?

    • Crispy Oven Baked Fries
    • Cajun Corn or corn on the cob
    • Coleslaw or the slaw from these Chimichurri Bowls
    • Santa Fe Salad
    • Greek Yogurt Potato Salad

    And if you're making it for a crowd, here's how to determine How Much Pulled Pork you need.

    Pulled pork in a bun topped with green onions with sweet potatoes in the background.

    LET ME PLAN YOUR DINNERS! Get My FREE Meal Plan (Including Grocery List!)>>>

    And if you liked this recipe...

    ...you might also like:

    • Simple Barbecued Burgers
    • My Favorite Pork Carnitas
    • Pork Banh Mi Burgers
    • Chinese-Inspired Barbecue Pulled Pork
    Pulled pork on a bun with sweet potato fries on the side.

    Sugar Free Pulled Pork

    Flavoured with just seasonings, this pulled pork includes no added sugar and cooks hands off in the slow cooker.
    5 from 37 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 hours hours
    Total Time: 5 hours hours
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 153kcal

    Ingredients

    • 3 lb boneless pork roast
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
    • 1 and ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 and ½ teaspoon paprika
    • 1 and ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 and ½ teaspoon onion powder
    (Prevent your screen from going dark)

    Instructions

    • Place the pork in the bottom of a slow cooker and add the water. Sprinkle the seasonings on top.
    • Cover slow cooker and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8-10 hours.
    • Check the pork at 4 hours (on high) or 8 hours (on low) to see if it is tender. If not yet tender, continue to cook, checking every 30 minutes. Once the pork is tender, shred it with a fork and allow it to cook in the juices for 30-60 additional minutes until they are mostly absorbed.
    • Serve.

    Notes

    Leftovers
    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 436mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought in the comments below!

    More Easy Meal Ideas!

    • Bowl of carnitas meat with cilantro and tortillas alongside.
      Stovetop Pork Carnitas
    • Bowl of chicken tikka masala with a side of naan and garnished with cilantro.
      One Pot Chicken Tikka Masala (With Coconut Milk)
    • Close up image of a piece of lettuce filled with a ground turkey mixture and topped with peanut sauce.
      Ground Turkey Asian Lettuce Wraps
    • Coleslaw mix with ground pork in a grey bowl over rice.
      Egg Roll Bowls
    « Flourless Oat Waffles (In a Blender)
    Easy Creamy Cashew Queso Dip »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Shelby

      April 11, 2022 at 8:22 am

      5 stars
      I love how easy the seasonings were on this! Made it so simple to whip up... plus I had leftovers for the next day! Mega win.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        April 11, 2022 at 10:09 am

        I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Shelby! Thank you for your review.

        Reply
    2. Donny

      April 13, 2022 at 9:45 am

      5 stars
      All the seasonings ended up making the best sauce. I love this over mashed sweet potatoes!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        April 13, 2022 at 11:12 am

        Over mashed sweet potatoes sounds delicious! I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe.

        Reply
    3. tina

      April 14, 2022 at 6:45 pm

      5 stars
      Tasty and easy to make! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        April 15, 2022 at 8:46 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Tina! Thank you for your kind review.

        Reply
    4. Carrie

      June 28, 2022 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      I am not going to lie- I do love me a little brown sugar in my pulled pork recipe, but this does sound flavorful! 🙂 I will have to try this recipe soon.

      Reply
    5. Dannii

      June 28, 2022 at 10:00 am

      5 stars
      My husband loves pulled pork, so I was excited to try this sugar free version to see if he liked it. He loved it! Will definitely be making it again.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        June 28, 2022 at 10:52 am

        Yay! Thank you for your kind review, Dannii.

        Reply
    6. Andrea

      June 28, 2022 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      What an easy recipe to follow. The pulled pork has perfect flavor and it's so versatile. Can't wait to make some sandwiches or tacos out of this.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        June 28, 2022 at 10:52 am

        I'm glad you liked this recipe, Andrea.

        Reply
    7. April

      June 28, 2022 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      Delicious recipe, made this for dinner and it was a huge hit! THank you

      Reply
      • Janessa

        June 28, 2022 at 10:53 am

        I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, April!

        Reply
    8. Natalie

      June 28, 2022 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      I loved your pulled pork recipe! Your version is the one my husband loves the most, thank you!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        June 28, 2022 at 10:53 am

        Thank you for your kind review, Natalie!

        Reply
    9. Kathleen

      August 17, 2022 at 7:01 pm

      5 stars
      What a simple and delicious pulled pork recipe. It's perfect for my family.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        August 18, 2022 at 6:05 am

        Thank you for your kind review, Kathleen!

        Reply
    10. Jill

      August 17, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      5 stars
      There's so much sugar hidden in our food! Thank you for this sugar free version of pulled pork!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        August 18, 2022 at 6:05 am

        Thank you for your kind review, Jill!

        Reply
    11. Michele

      August 17, 2022 at 7:29 pm

      5 stars
      This tasted so good and was so easy to make!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        August 18, 2022 at 6:06 am

        I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Michele!

        Reply
    12. Tara

      August 17, 2022 at 8:08 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! This pulled pork looks absolutely fantastic. I love how you focused on the seasonings too.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        August 18, 2022 at 6:06 am

        Thank you for your kind review, Tara!

        Reply
    13. Shashi

      August 17, 2022 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      My mom is diabetic and she loved this recipe - this is going to be her go-to pulled pork recipe! Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Janessa

        August 18, 2022 at 6:07 am

        Thank you for your kind review, Shashi!

        Reply
    14. Stephanie

      January 30, 2023 at 8:15 am

      5 stars
      The most delicious pulled pork! So easy, hands off, great for making for a crowd to be able to still visit and not be stuck in the kitchen prepping! Very versatile. We did a build your own pulled pork sandwich with different bbq sauces and toppings, but honestly this pork is amazing just on it’s own too! Already planning when I’m going to make this next.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        January 30, 2023 at 11:13 am

        Thank you so much for your kind review! I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Stephanie.

        Reply
    15. Mysie H

      April 25, 2023 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      Loved the recipe will have it for dinner tonight over some mashed potatoes. First time cooking this.

      Reply
      • Janessa

        April 25, 2023 at 7:01 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Mysie!

        Reply
    16. Sandy

      December 03, 2023 at 8:02 pm

      5 stars
      Love this healthy sugar free pulled pork. We put it on a poppyseed onion bun and coleslaw so delicious and so easy . We are planning on using the leftover pulled pork to make the easy nachos . So glad I made this pulled pork 👍😊

      Reply
      • Janessa

        December 03, 2023 at 9:01 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Sandy! Thank you for your kind comments. Enjoy your nachos 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Janessa

    Hi, I'm Janessa and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that are made with wholesome ingredients, are quick and easy and most importantly, delicious!

    More about me →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Site Policies and Disclaimer
    • Blogging Resources

    Web Stories

    • Check out my Web Stories!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Instagram
    • Subscribe!

    Copyright © 2020-2023 The Nessy Kitchen

    Content shared on The Nessy Kitchen is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or health advice. Before acting on any information presented here, please consult with a qualified health care professional.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT