Description
Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork delivers mouthwatering comfort straight from your slow cooker with tender, juicy meat bathed in tropical-inspired sauce. Guaranteed to become your new favorite weekend dinner that friends and family will absolutely devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 3–4 lb boneless pork shoulder
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Spices and Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 inch ginger
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Hawaiian sweet rolls or hamburger buns
- Coleslaw
- Pineapple slices
- Pickled onions
Instructions
- Prepare your 3-4 lb pork shoulder by thoroughly drying it with paper towels. Generously season all surfaces with ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp cumin, and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven at medium-high temperature. Sear the seasoned pork for 3-4 minutes on each side until a deep golden-brown crust forms.
- Remove the pork from the pot. Add chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch grated ginger for 1 minute.
- Whisk sauce ingredients in a separate bowl: combine 1 cup pineapple juice, ½ cup ketchup, ¼ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp sesame oil, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ¼ tsp ground ginger.
- Place seared pork back into the pot. Pour entire sauce mixture over the meat, ensuring it covers at least half the pork. Add water if needed.
- Cover the pot and transfer to a preheated oven at 325°F. Braise for 3-4 hours, checking periodically to prevent drying. Add liquid if sauce reduces too quickly.
- After cooking, transfer pork to a cutting board. Shred meat using two forks, discarding any excess fat or tough pieces.
- Return shredded pork to the pot. Stir thoroughly to coat with sauce, allowing flavors to combine for an additional 15-20 minutes on low heat.
- Serve hot on Hawaiian sweet rolls. Top with fresh coleslaw, grilled pineapple slices, and tangy pickled onions for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Searing the pork before braising helps develop a deep, rich flavor that makes the pulled pork extra delicious.
- Choose a well-marbled pork shoulder (also called Boston butt) for the most tender and juicy result, as the fat helps keep the meat moist during long cooking.
- If your sauce becomes too thick while cooking, add a splash of water or chicken broth to maintain the right consistency and prevent burning.
- For a low-carb version, serve the pulled pork in lettuce wraps instead of rolls, and swap out brown sugar with a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit sweetener.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Category: Pork
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg