There’s no reason to make so-so pulled pork in your slow cooker. Give it some kick. Like my slow cooker fire-eater pulled pork. It’s got some kick. Fire-eater rub and hot sauce will wake up your taste buds, that’s for sure. Tender, moist pork makes for the perfect sandwich on a cold day.
Not Just For Sandwiches
I also ended up using this slow cooker fire-eater pulled pork in homemade hot pockets and on nachos. It’s great stuff, and can be used as just about any dish. Also try it on baked potatoes! Yummy! And baked potatoes? One of my favorites. Just heap on some of pork. Add sour cream. Black olives. Maybe a little chopped onion. A couple of jalapeno slices. Now that’s a baked potato!
I prefer Cholula original hot sauce in dishes like this fire-eater pulled pork. It’s spicy, but it’s not so overwhelmingly hot that you can’t still taste the dish.
Also try my slow cooker BBQ beef.
Slow Cooker Fire-Eater Pulled Pork
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless pork shoulder trimmed
- ¼ cup Fire-Eater rub or substitute your favorite spicy rub, divided
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¼ cup hot sauce or more
Instructions
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of rub around all sides of the pork.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add pork and brown on all sides. Remove to a plate.
- Turn off the heat to the skillet and let cool slightly.
- Slowly (keep your arms, hands and face back as it may splatter!) add 3/4 cup of water to the skillet and whisk.
- Pour mixture into a slow cooker on low.
- Add the vinegar, tomato paste, remaining 3 tablespoons of the Fire-Eater rub, and 2 cups of water to the slow cooker and whisk to combine.
- Add the meat and cover.
- Cook for at least 8 hours or until the meat is falling apart. If the liquid does not completely cover the pork you may want to turn it every few hours.
- Remove the pork to a cutting board and chop.
- Transfer the slow cooker liquid to a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir in the hot sauce. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer until reduced by half, stirring occasionally.
- Return the meat to the slow cooker and add the reduced liquid.
- Serve on buns, on nachos, on baked potatoes… however you prefer!
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.