Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Slow Cooker Recipe)
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?!
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
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
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.
More Healthy Sandwich Recipes
Note: If you like more of a BBQ flavor, try this recipe for homemade barbecue sauce in place of this sauce instead.
Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches In A Slow Cooker
Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Slow Cooker)
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
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
Nutrition
Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 6/10/12.
Haha!!! Yes, I’ve come out from the rock I was living under. Phew!
I absolutely LOVE pulled pork. Going to the grocery store now to get the chops, and making this tomorrow in my crock pot while I’m at work.
What kind of buns do you use? The one in the picture looks very good – what kind is it?
job – I buy the Alvarado St. Bakery brand. Good stuff!
That looks fabulous. I love a meal that’s ready when I get home!
Hmm this sounds good. I’ve been doing mine in organic apple juice, then I shred it and add your BBQ sauce and turn to high for an hour. It is sinfully delicious!!
Yum! I might have to try that, thanks!
Thanks, I cooked mine in the organic apple juice, and added 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons molasses and a teaspoon of organic vinegar to it. It was delish!!
Kerry – Yum!! Sounds amazing!
Does this really make 20 servings?
Yes.
Was the tomato sauce covering the pork? Does the lid on your slow cooker close properly? Did you cook it long enough? Or maybe too long? Here is an article on the possibilities: http://skinnyms.com/avoiding-dry-or-tough-meats/
I made this today, but used venison instead. WOW! GREAT sauce. I didn’t know what my 7 and 10 year old would think, but they loved it too! Thanks for your wonderful recipes, and easy ones too!
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it!
Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed it!
Just made this today. It was great! Thanks so much for the recipe!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I could have gotten the weight wrong. As long as you have 8, good sized pork chops, you should be fine.
I used ground cumin.
If I’m using pork shoulder about 12 pounds do I double the amount for the sauce or triple? Thanks.
I personally would triple everything, but play it by ear. If you feel there’s too much sauce in there, don’t add the last can. Depends on how big your slow cooker is too.
After the pork is done and shredded can I add your clean bbq sauce in the crock pot or will it be too watery?
You could cook the pork IN the BBQ sauce. That would be yummy. But anything you add after it cooks will add to the liquid content. So it’s really up to you.
I made this for dinner tonite with chicken I had slow cooked in the crock pot yesterday. We added a little mango puree and sweet chili sauce. Very good! Next time I am going to add some diced green, red, orange and yellow peppers and maybe some pineapple tidbits.
Made this last weekend. It was really good!
Do the chops need to be defrosted first or can they be frozen?
Becca – They should be thawed.
I used turkey tenderloin that I had on hand, cooked it all day – amazing! Thanks for a great recipe.
Stephanie – Awesome! Glad to know it works with turkey too! 🙂