Sometimes we just need a little comfort food! This recipe is one that I use a lot at the cottage, but my family also likes it throughout the year. You can often find the big pork loins on sale, so grab a large one and double up the recipe. You’ll have enough for a big crowd or you can divide it into several meals that you can pull out of the freezer!
Easy Pulled Pork
3-4 pounds pork loin
2 Tbsp Seasoning Salt (email me for a quick homemade recipe)
1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2-3 cups BBQ Sauce — any kind, but I like homemade best 🙂
Trim pork loin of any excess fat. Sprinkle with Seasoning Salt and pat well. If you don’t have seasoning salt, just use your favourite seasonings, especially garlic powder, salt and pepper, paprika. Any excess seasoning will simply ‘fall off’ the loin.
Preheat a large cast iron skillet or enamel covered casserole, ie. Le Creuset, adding approx. 1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil. Sear all sides of the pork loin. This provides a ‘seal’ before you add to your crock pot.
Add meat to crock pot…no further liquids are usually required because juice from pork will drain. If you’re nervous, add 1/2 cup water! Cook on LOW 7-8 hours (HIGH 4-5 hours). (Alternately, slow roast in a covered casserole/Dutch oven for 2-3 hours at 325F). Pork should almost fall apart when it is ‘done’. Remove from crock pot and shred meat with 2 forks. Test for seasoning…adjust to your personal taste. Drain excess fat from crock pot and return meat to the pot. Add 2-3 cups of your favourite BBQ sauce. I’ve included one I really like below, although I usually cut the white sugar by half and sub for all brown…if you like it smokey, add 1 tsp liquid smoke for a more ‘southern’ feel!
I serve my pulled pork with coleslaw on fresh rolls!
Serves 4-6
BBQ Sauce recipes are all over the internet. If I don’t have a jar of the bottled stuff on hand, I often just wing it and throw a bunch of things together. Those of you who’ve been to the cottage, know that sometimes you just go with the flow. The recipe below is one that can be adjusted to your own tastes or used as is. It’s straightforward and tasty and can be easily doubled to keep the extra in the fridge!
Neely’s BBQ Sauce
Total Time: 1 hr 20 min
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 1 hr 15 min
Yield: 3 1/2 cups
Level:Easy
Total Time: 1 hr 20 min
Prep: 5 min
Cook: 1 hr 15 min
Yield: 3 1/2 cups
Level:Easy
Ingredients
2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons light brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons light brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.
Recipe courtesy The Neelys
thecottagecrowd 