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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    The Best Sugar Free Pulled Pork

    Published: Apr 6, 2022 by Janessa

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    Pulled pork on a bed of coleslaw.

    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

    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 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!

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

    Dietary Notes

    If you have dietary restrictions, check the packaging of specific ingredients that you use to ensure they are compliant. This recipe is:

    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Nut Free
    • Paleo

    And if you liked this recipe...

    ...you might also like:

    • Simple Barbecued Burgers
    • My Favorite Pork Carnitas
    • Pork Banh Mi Burgers

    Sugar Free Pulled Pork

    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 hours
    Total Time: 5 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

    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!

    • Cumin Chicken and Carrots Sheet Pan
    • Sweet Potato and Russet Hash with Eggs
    • Baked Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
    • Cajun Chicken Sheet Pan (With Honey Butter)
    « Flourless Oat Waffles (In a Blender)
    Cranberry Crisp (Gluten Free) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    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

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    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!

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