Small Batch Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
I live in pork country, so pulled pork is not something I take lightly. I can walk a couple blocks in either direction and find some award winning pulled pork.
But that doesn't mean I don't like making pulled pork at home. It just means I better do it right!
Some people may argue that good pulled pork is just a pig, a secret spice mixture, and some smoke. That's all well and good but I don't want a whole pigs worth of pork, nor do I have a smoker. What I do have is a slow cooker and my own not-so-secret spice mixture, and that's good enough for me!
For the not-so-secret spice mixture pull out every spice in your spice cabinet. Clore your eyes and randomly pick out 5 to 7 spices.
Just kidding! There's a little more science involved. Not much, but a little.
The spice mixture is mostly paprika and garlic, then a little bit of a few other spices I bet you already have in your spice cabinet.
Mix that spice mixture together and rub it all over the pork.
If you have time, let the pork sit overnight (in the fridge) with the spice rub.
Then throw those puppies in your slow cooker with a bit of stock, vinegar, and liquid smoke and let the slow cooker go to work.
After about 8 hours the pork should fall apart at the site of a fork. Some pieces will be a bit charred, some will be nice and juicy tender.
Also, don't forget to remove the bones!
I like to serve my pulled pork up with a side of cole slaw and and extra bittle of vinegar based barbeque sauce. You can make your own, like I did, or pick one up from your favorite barbecue restaurant. (Like buy it, don't swipe one off the table.)
You could also serve this with a buger bun and make some nice pulled pork sandwiches. Or get creative and throw some in a tortilla for some Mexican fusion action.
However you decide to eat it, it's the perfect homemade pulled pork for two to four people. Which is why I love this recipe so much! I don't have to go out and buy a huge pork butt or have left over pork for days.
Although, I bet my husband would be perfectly happy with that!
Recipe
Cook Time: 8 hours Total Time: 8 hours, 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb thick cut bone-in pork chops
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp dry mustard
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/8 tsp coriander
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp liquid smoke
Instructions
- I a small bowl, mix together all the spices. Rub the spice mixture on both sides of the of the pork chops. If possible, let chops sit for at least a hour if not overnight.
- When ready to cook, place pork chops in the bottom of the stoneware of the slow cooker. In a measuring cup mix together chicken stock, vinegar, honey, and liquid smoke. Pour into slow cooker, but not on top of the pork chops. Place lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
- With two forks, shred the pork into small pieces and remove the bones. Serve with your favorite vinegar based barbecue sauce and cole slaw.