Best 4 Lightened Up Pulled Pork Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable flavors of our Lightened-Up Pulled Pork, a healthier rendition of the classic Southern comfort food. This recipe uses lean pork tenderloin and a homemade BBQ sauce made with natural sweeteners, resulting in a dish that's both satisfying and guilt-free.

In addition to the traditional pulled pork recipe, our article also includes variations to cater to different dietary preferences and tastes. For those seeking a vegetarian option, we offer a mouthwatering Pulled Jackfruit recipe that captures the smoky, savory essence of pulled pork.

For those with a sweet tooth, our Pulled Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa recipe is a delightful combination of tangy and sweet flavors. And if you're short on time, our Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe is a convenient option that delivers tender, flavorful pulled pork with minimal effort.

Whether you're a barbecue enthusiast or simply seeking a healthier alternative to traditional comfort food, our collection of Lightened-Up Pulled Pork recipes has something for everyone. Dive in and discover a healthier way to enjoy this classic dish.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

LIGHTENED UP PULLED PORK



Lightened up Pulled Pork image

This has much less fat than it's authentic version! I like to use chipotle and honey barbeque sauce but I suggest you use your favorite. The best part is you can put this in the crockpot before you leave for work and dinner will be ready when you get home!

Provided by cookiedog

Categories     Pork

Time 5h20m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 lbs pork tenderloin
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups barbecue sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons wine vinegar
8 -10 potato dinner rolls or 8 -10 other soft rolls, split

Steps:

  • Trim fat from pork then cut into 3-inch cubes. Place in a large slow cooker with onion, barbecue sauce, brown sugar and vinegar. Cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 10 hours.
  • Remove meat with a slotted spoon. Shred pork using 2 forks and stir in half the sauce.
  • Place meat inside rolls and spoon remaining sauce over top; close sandwiches.

THE BEST PULLED PORK



The Best Pulled Pork image

Chipotle powder, apple cider and ketchup create the perfect balance of smoky, sweet and tangy without the need for a smoker or grill! For our classic, satisfying pulled pork, all that's required is a flavorful homemade rub and a long trip to the oven to cook low and slow until it's meltingly tender. Eat it as-is, or pile onto a potato roll with your favorite toppings for the ultimate sandwich. Coleslaw is a traditional accompaniment, and we love a vinegary one for the way it cuts through the richness of the pork.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 5h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 to 2 tablespoons chipotle chile powder
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar plus 2 tablespoons
One 4-pound boneless pork butt
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 cup apple cider
3/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
8 potato rolls, toasted
Coleslaw, for serving

Steps:

  • Whisk together the chile powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar in a small bowl until completely combined and no lumps remain. Spread the spice rub evenly over the pork butt, pressing it into the flesh on all sides. Let the pork sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
  • Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 275 degrees F.
  • Whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar in large Dutch oven or other heavy large pot until combined. Transfer the pork and any accumulated juices to the pot, turning the pork to coat it with sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat. Then cover, transfer to the oven and bake until the pork is very tender and easily shreds when pulled apart with a fork, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Let the pork cool uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • Reserve 1 cup of the sauce for serving, then smash the pork into the remaining sauce with a potato masher; it should fall apart and shred completely. Stir to combine the pork with the sauce. Serve on toasted potato rolls topped with coleslaw. Pass the reserved sauce.

SLOW COOKER BBQ PULLED PORK



Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork image

If you've spent any time on Pinterest or food blogs, you've likely come across a recipe for three-ingredient barbecue pulled pork that can be made in the slow cooker. Methods and ingredients vary, but the recipe almost always calls for boneless pork shoulder, some sort of dark cola (usually Dr Pepper or root beer) and barbecue sauce. Dubious? We were too, so we asked the members of our NYT Cooking Community Facebook page if anyone had ever made it and if they liked it. We received more than 150 very opinionated responses. Many readers have come up with their own clever twists, like using coffee or beer in place of cola, adding onions or chipotles, rubbing the meat with a spice blend and searing the meat before cooking. We tried cooking it a few different ways and found we liked this adaptation best. It calls for a few more ingredients and an extra step or two, but it's got layers of flavor and it's still mostly fuss-free. (You can find the pressure-cooker version of this recipe here.)

Provided by Margaux Laskey

Categories     meat, sandwiches, main course

Time 10h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons hot or sweet smoked paprika
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
3 to 4 pound boneless pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed of most of its excess fat
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus additional for greasing
1 yellow onion, chopped (optional)
1 (12-ounce) can dark soda, like Dr Pepper, root beer, cola or birch beer
1/2 to 1 1/2 cups homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce
Hot sauce (optional)

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the garlic and onion powders, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. If you have time, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to overnight. If you don't, no worries; proceed to Step 2.
  • Lightly grease the crock of a slow cooker. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear the pork until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes each side. Add onion, if using, to the slow cooker. Add the pork on top of the onion. Pour soda over the pork and set the slow cooker to low for 6 to 8 hours, until the meat has collapsed and shreds easily.
  • Drain most of the liquid from the slow cooker and shred the meat directly in the pot. Add about 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce and stir to combine. (At this point, if you like crisp bits in your pulled pork, you can spread the shredded pork on a sheet pan and place under a broiler for a couple minutes then return to the slow cooker.) Taste and add more barbecue sauce, hot sauce, salt or pepper, if desired. Serve with soft rolls and extra sauce on the side.

PULLED PORK



Pulled Pork image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 10h20m

Yield 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon chile powder
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pork shoulder roast (also called pork butt)
4 onions, cut into halves
1 bottle good barbecue sauce and good-quality hamburger rolls, for serving

Steps:

  • Stir together the brown sugar, chile powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and cayenne in a small bowl. Rub the mixture all over the pork shoulder. Wrap the pork in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or preferably overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
  • Place the pork in a large pot on a bed of the onion halves. Roast until fork-tender and falling apart, about 7 hours. Remove the pork from the pot and set it on a cutting board. Slice some of the onion.
  • Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and add 1/2 to 1 cup of hot water. Scrape the pan to loosen up the bits and cook for 5 minutes to reduce. Pour in the barbecue sauce and stir to heat.
  • Shred the meat with two forks, add the sliced onions to the pork and then toss in the barbecue sauce until it's coated to your liking! Serve on hamburger rolls.

Tips:

  • Choose a lean pork shoulder roast for a healthier pulled pork dish.
  • Sear the pork shoulder roast to create a flavorful crust and lock in the juices.
  • Slow-cook the pork shoulder roast in a mixture of spices and liquids until it is tender and fall-apart.
  • Remove the pork shoulder roast from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks.
  • Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir in your favorite barbecue sauce.
  • Serve the pulled pork on buns or in tacos, or over rice or pasta.

Conclusion:

This lightened-up pulled pork recipe is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this classic dish. It is perfect for a casual get-together or a special occasion. The pork is tender and juicy, and the barbecue sauce is flavorful and tangy. Serve it on buns or in tacos, or over rice or pasta. You and your family will love it!

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