Times are a changin’.
You may have noticed that this is the very first Pork recipe I’ve ever posted on Everyday Maven. This is not for my lack of cooking pork but my (up until the beginning of this year) lack of eating it. It all started when I was a teenager and I became a vegetarian. I would occasionally indulge in fish and shellfish but for many, many years I stayed away from all other animal meats.
In my mid-20’s, I slowly started to eat eggs, poultry and beef again but still abstained from pork and game. Pork was always the big one for me though – I just couldn’t bring myself to eat it. Mostly because I believed that pork was a dangerous and dirty food source and truthfully, I just didn’t want to eat pigs.
My husband is a life-long pork lover and would often try to convince me to open my mind to eating pork with him. In the past few years, I have been more open to “tasting” a pork dish if it was made from clean, humanely raised pork but I still had an imaginary wall up.
So where do these Slow Cooker Chili Pulled Pork Tacos fit in? Well, ever since we started eating Paleo, I have been craving more meat and variety. For months and months, I have been playing with the idea of re-introducing “clean” pork into my diet and I finally crossed the line in April during the Whole30.
One day, what I normally would cook for my husband and abstain from eating, became my lunch (andouille sausage and cabbage) and dinner. And then came the bacon with paleo pancakes for brunch one morning. You see where this is going right?
Fast forward a couple months and Stacy from Paleo Parents emailed me and asked if I would like a review copy of their new book – “Beyond Bacon”.
I have to let you know that this is more than just a cookbook – this is a love letter to all things hog and an amazing resource and guide for how to cook and honor humanely raised, sustainable pork.
If you love pork, you need this book.
Anyway, I was inspired by a roasted pork dish in Beyond Bacon and really wanted to make it for Father’s Day but it slow-cooks in the oven and we had plans to be out and about all day. I decided to make up a delicious and super easy chili rub and let my slow cooker do all the work.
I served this chili pulled pork meat with lettuce wraps, avocado slices, pico de gallo, cilantro leaves and hot sauce. And, yes, I ate it. And yes, it was delicious.
NOTES:
- When it comes to lettuce wraps, I really love to use boston bibb or butter lettuce. Two great alternatives are romaine leaves and iceberg.
- If you have more time, you could make homemade guacamole instead of just slicing avocado.
- What exactly is Pork Butt / Pork Shoulder? Read here for a good description.
- I calculated the Points Plus of just the pork as I know everyone will serve it with different toppings so please be sure to add up your PP accordingly.
- Gluten-Free Cornbread is a GREAT side dish with this recipe and can be made in advance!
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Slow Cooker Pork Tacos Recipe. Paleo Pulled Pork Tacos. Easy Pulled Pork Recipe.
- 4 1/2 pound pork butt / shoulder
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- pinch ground cloves
- 1/2 cup stock or broth
- 1 bay leaf
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Begin by combining the chili powder, salt, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes and cloves in a bowl.
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Remove string if wrapped around pork and place on a clean plate. Use your hands to rub the spice mixture onto all sides of the pork (I am wearing gloves because I just painted my nails lol!).
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Place in the fridge and let marinate overnight or at least 1 to 2 hours.
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When ready to cook, place pork in slow cooker along with bay leaf and 1/2 cup broth or stock. Set to low for 8 hours and forget about it.
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When it's done, remove from liquid and place on a cutting board. Grab 2 forks and proceed to shred the meat.
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
Alyssa,
This looks delicious. We typically turn the occasional Boston butt into Kalua pig, and that lasts us forever. The kids would love this as a change of pace, though.
Thanks!
Kalyn says
Wow, I really love this recipe!!
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Kalyn! I love how easy it is – sometimes even chopping garlic and onion is an impossibility here lol 🙂
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I haven’t made slow cooker pork in awhile but now I’m craving!!!
Lucy says
So I bought some steak and bacon tonight at the farmer’s market (found a great, helpful vendor though I can’t remember the name now) and I plan to go to another market on Friday for pork butt/shoulder to make this! My stepson, 7 years old now, has always been a bit puzzled by my vegetarianism. He is going to be even more shocked to see that I’m eating it!
EverydayMaven says
I bet! It sounds like you got great quality meat if it’s from one of our local farmers markets. Tip on cooking the bacon – preheat oven to 350F, place bacon on elevated cooking rack or just on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until crispy. It’s perfectly cooked every time, no mess and the best part is you can save the bacon fat in a glass jar and use it to cook vegetables or eggs. Enjoy!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I really need a slow cooker in my life! That looks so moist and juicy 🙂
EverydayMaven says
You do Kiran – sometimes it is such a life-saver!
john@kitchenriffs says
Really good recipe. Pork tends to have more flavor than so many other meats, and you can certainly prepare it in so many different ways. Like in these wonderful tacos! Good stuff – thanks.
EverydayMaven says
Pork really does have a much stronger flavor than many other meats – it is very versatile!
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Just love tacos!! can haven them anyday, at whatever time….. This is a perfect weeknight meal.. Dinner is making itself while you are gone.
EverydayMaven says
Exactly Cristy!!!!
Lucy says
I can relate on so many levels. I am *trying* to re-develop a taste for meat but I have no idea how to prepare it. This looks pretty tasty. Now I just need to figure out where to buy the best pork!
EverydayMaven says
Hi Lucy,
PCC and Whole Foods have some good options but truthfully you need to buy direct from a farm (www.eatwild.com) or farmers market for the cleanest Pork. Luckily, we have great options here in WA! If you ever need any tips or help with meat preparation, let me know! 🙂
Jeff Parker says
I LOVE pulled pork and have several recipes that I have written for a grilling site, as well as my own site.. Let me know if you need any new ones! Cheers – Jeff
EverydayMaven says
Thanks Jeff – such an easy and tasty meal for a crowd!
Liz says
Thank you for the nice recipe. I love slow cooked pork.
EverydayMaven says
Enjoy it Liz – it’s super easy and perfect for a weeknight dinner 🙂