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Tender Crockpot Brown Sugar Balsamic Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Tender Crockpot Brown Sugar Balsamic Pulled Pork Sandwiches - featured image
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This recipe delivers tender, juicy pulled pork with a sticky-sweet brown sugar and balsamic glaze, slow-cooked to perfection in a crockpot for an effortless, flavorful sandwich.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (Boston butt)
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 8 sandwich buns (brioche or potato buns recommended)
  • Optional: coleslaw or pickles

Instructions

  1. Pat your 3-4 lb pork shoulder dry and trim excess fat, leaving some for flavor. Place it in the crockpot.
  2. In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves.
  3. Pour the sauce mixture over the pork evenly. Then add 1/2 cup chicken broth to keep everything moist during cooking.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The pork is done when it easily shreds with two forks and the internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C).
  5. Remove the pork from the crockpot and use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Discard any large fat chunks.
  6. Return the shredded pork to the crockpot and stir to coat with the cooking juices. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes on warm to absorb the flavors.
  7. Toast your buns lightly if desired. Pile the pulled pork high, and add coleslaw or pickles if you like that crunch contrast.
  8. Serve warm.

Notes

For deeper flavor, sear the pork shoulder in a hot pan for 3-4 minutes per side before slow cooking. If the sauce is too thin after cooking, remove the pork and simmer the juices on the stove to thicken before tossing the pork back in. Adjust sweetness and tang by adding more brown sugar or vinegar to taste. Use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for a gluten-free option. The recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, crockpot, slow cooker, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, sandwich, easy recipe, tender pork, comfort food

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/tender-crockpot-brown-sugar-balsamic-pulled-pork-sandwiches-easy-recipe-for-perfect-pulled-pork-sandwiches/