Description
Succulent slow cooker BBQ pulled pork tenderloin delivers mouthwatering Southern comfort right to your dinner table. Tender meat glazed with smoky sauce promises a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) pork tenderloin
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Sauce and Aromatics:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Serving Options:
- 8 hamburger buns
- Pickles (optional)
- Coleslaw (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic foundation by layering thinly sliced onions across the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a flavorful base that prevents meat from sticking.
- Craft a robust sauce by whisking together barbecue sauce, minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and apple cider vinegar until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
- Massage the pork tenderloin generously with the prepared sauce, ensuring comprehensive and even coverage to maximize flavor absorption.
- Gently position the sauce-coated tenderloin atop the onion layer in the slow cooker, then cascade the remaining sauce evenly over the meat.
- Secure the lid and slow cook at low temperature (approximately 200°F) for 6-8 hours, allowing the meat to become exceptionally tender and infused with complex flavors.
- Carefully extract the cooked tenderloin and use two forks to meticulously shred the meat into succulent, bite-sized pieces. Reintroduce the shredded meat to the cooking liquid, stirring to ensure complete sauce integration.
- Serve the pulled pork on soft hamburger buns, optionally garnishing with crisp pickles and creamy coleslaw for added texture and complementary flavors.
Notes
- Trim excess fat from the pork tenderloin to reduce greasiness and ensure a leaner, healthier dish.
- Use a low-sodium barbecue sauce to control salt intake and create a lighter version of the recipe.
- For a spicier kick, experiment with different hot sauces or add extra cayenne pepper to customize heat levels.
- Create a gluten-free option by using gluten-free barbecue sauce and serving on gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg