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These slow cooker, healthy pulled pork sandwiches are filling, totally tasty, and will definitely leave you hoping for leftovers!
This was such an easy dinner! I was exhausted when I got home after running errands all day and this pulled pork was ready when I got there. How awesome is that?!
If you love a good pulled pork sandwich, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite. I’ll give you serving ideas, portions, and more below.
How To Make Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches In A Slow Cooker
This is super simple! Make your sauce. Place the pork in your slow cooker, pour the sauce over it, put the lid on, set the slow cooker temperature, and let it do its thing. Once it’s done, you can shred the pork with forks or by using a hand-held electric mixer. But it should actually be tender enough to shred easily just by stirring it with a wooden spoon.
How Many Sandwiches Per Pound Of Pork?
If you are planning for multiple people, here is an easy cheat sheet for planning how much pork to make. You can scale the recipe by hovering your mouse over the yield number and using the sliding scale that pops up. Keep in mind that this is a loose outline. The final amount of sandwiches will depend on how much pork you use for each sandwich. And if you choose to use pork that has a bone in it, you’ll want to buy extra to accommodate for that so the poundage is the actual meat.
Pulled pork is usually even better the next day, so don’t be shy on portions. Make extra so you have some pulled pork leftover for the day after.
- 12 lb. pork = 36 sandwiches
- 10 lb. pork = 30 sandwiches
- 8 lb. pork = 24 sandwiches
- 6 lb. pork = 18 sandwiches
- 4 lb. pork = 12 sandwiches
- 2 lb. pork = 6 sandwiches
What To Serve With Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches
As with most sandwiches, many different side dishes will work. But if you’re wondering what goes good with pulled pork sandwiches, here are some suggestions that will go well with this pulled pork recipe:
- Raw veggies
- Steamed veggies
- Grilled veggies
- Fruit salad
- Green salad
- Potato salad
- Fries
- Macaroni salad
- Chips
- Quinoa salad
- Couscous salad
- While rice salad
- Coleslaw
Healthy Sauce For Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Typically, the sauce for pulled pork sandwiches are recipes filled with a bottle of this and a bottle of that. Lots of processed ingredients and plenty of sugar in various forms. This sauce is made from scratch with easy-to-find ingredients and only takes about 5 minutes to pull together.
How To Reheat Pulled Pork
While microwaves are quick and easy, they will completely dry out your pulled pork, making it rubbery. The best way to reheat pulled pork is in a skillet over medium heat. Stir it continuously as it warms. Don’t overheat the pulled pork. Get it just warm enough to be comfortably edible.
Can You Freeze Pulled Pork?
Absolutely! It will keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months. Make sure you freeze with the sauce in a freezer-safe container or zipper-top bag. If using a bag, squeeze as much air out of the bag as you can while you close the zipper.
To thaw frozen pulled pork, set in the fridge for 24 hours for larger portions, or just overnight (about 8 hours) for smaller portions. Never thaw on a counter or anywhere outside of your fridge.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Can you make pulled pork in an Instant Pot? Absolutely! You’ll want to follow the recipe below exactly the same, only assemble everything in your Instant Pot insert. Secure the lid and close the vent. Make sure the pressure is set to high. Press the Manual button, and adjust the timer to 75 minutes for 4 pounds of pork. Do a quick release (watch out for the steam!), remove the lid, and then shred your pork.
What To Put On Your Sandwich
Hands down, the best topping on a pulled pork sandwich is a good coleslaw. It’s just the right amount of bite and texture for pulled pork.
Sliced, red onions are another great option, as are lettuce and tomato slices.
Other Ways To Use Pulled Pork
Sandwiches aren’t the only way to use pulled pork. If you make a big batch and find you have leftovers but don’t want more sandwiches, here are some ideas for more ways to serve pulled pork.
- Pork tacos
- Macaroni and cheese
- Burritos
- Sliders
- Pizza
- Pasta
Recipe Supplies
You can use either of these two appliances to cook this recipe.
More Healthy Sandwich Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
- Chicken Sliders
- Lentil Sloppy Joes
Note: If you like more of a BBQ flavor, try this recipe for homemade barbecue saucein place of this sauce instead.
Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches In A Slow Cooker
Healthy Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Slow Cooker)
These delicious clean eating slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches are sure to become a family favorite!
3.29 from 7 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours hours
Total Time: 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 317kcal
Equipment
Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. pork shoulder
- 30 oz. canned tomato sauce (no sugar added)
- 3 tbsp. onion powder
- 2 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. cumin
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. cayenne
- salt to taste after cooking
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Place the pork in your slow cooker.
In a medium mixing bowl, blend the tomato sauce together with all the spices.
Pour the sauce over the pork.
Cook on low heat for 5-7 hours, or until the pork easily shreds with a fork when puled at. You should be able to shred it simply by stirring the pot.
Notes
Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 810mg | Fiber: 2g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2.5mg
Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 6/10/12.
