The late May bank holiday is the perfect time to get together with friends and family and even give the BBQ its first outing of the year. With the vagaries of the British weather you cannot be guaranteed to be able to BBQ, but my ultimate pulled pork is perfect to serve to a group either indoors or out.
Brining – the secret to perfect pulled pork
This makes succulent, moist, tender beautifully flavoured pork. You do need to plan ahead a bit and start this off 48 – 36 hours in advance but the actual hands on time is about 20 minutes so you can spend more time doing the things you want to this bank holiday and still impress with this dish.
The ultimate pulled pork ready for the slow cooker / crock pot
Simply mix up a tasty spice rub, brine the meat for 24 – 36 hours and then cook in the slow cooker or crock pot for at least 12 hours, then pull the meat and enjoy.
Feel free to mix up the spice rub to suit your preferences, I really enjoy adding a Japanese twist to my recipes, if you do not have miso you can add a little mustard, or just some extra soy sauce or tamari.
Serve in a bun as a pulled pork burger.
- 3 lb / 1.5kg boneless rolled joint of pork
- 2 tbs salt
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- For the spice rub
- 1 dried smoky chilli
- 1 star anise
- 1 tsp cumin – ground
- 1 tsp coriander seed
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic – crushed
- 1 tsp miso paste
- 1 tbs soy sauce
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Grind the spices for the spice rub, add the garlic, miso and soy sauce and mix well.
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Place the pork in a strudy plastic bag, dissolve the salt and sugar in a jug of water, stir in a tablespoon of the spice rub and pour over the pork. Add a little more water if needed, give a good squidge to mix well, seal the bag and put in the fridge to brine for 24 – 36 hours.
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Once brined remove the pork, and dry it off with some kitchen paper. Rub the remainder of the spice rub well into the meat.
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Place the meat in your slow cooker or crockpot and cook on low for about 12 – 14 hours. If you want the pork for dinner start cooking it first thing, for lunch I cook it overnight.
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When done remove the joint from the slow cooker, and shred the meat with two forks. Skim and discard the fat from the juices.
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Serve with a little of the juice poured over, with bread, buns and salads.
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Freezes well.
Leftovers freeze well - allow double portions as this is SO good
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Antonia
This is right up my street and the perfect alternative to a soggy barbecue! Looks and sounds seriously tasty.
Kasia
Will have to try that. It sounds really delicious
lovefoodpinny
Hi,
Delicious, I’ll be giving this recipe a go!
Amanda Millie
That looks very delicious, makes me wish I still ate pork:-)
Helen
thank you for commenting – even though you no longer eat it.
Helen Gandy
Ohh I love pulled pork, yummy!!!! How perfect for a Friday night :-)
Helen
It is all packed away in my freezer – looking forward to it!
Kavey
Love the look of this and saving it for a lazy weekend!
Helen
it is super super lazy!
Jen
Perfect and so much less faff than a traditional roast or risking a BBQ in the dodgy British weather.
Helen
I love this method of making pulled pork. Impossible to over cook too.
Camilla @FabFood4All
I love slow cooked meat and pork is particularly good in a slow cooker, I could just dig into that plate and fill a crusty roll right now:-)
Helen
I possibly had some at 10am after I’d photographed it!
Lucy
pulled pork is my favourite, love the slow cooker when it can produce this. Brining it sounds great.
Helen
Brining makes such a difference. It is also impossible to overcook it in the slow cooker.
Jan Bennett
Oooh now this looks mouthwatering! Lovely recipe and photos Helen.
Helen
Thank you Jan! We did really enjoy it.
Danielle Vedmore
Looks delicious! I like it being another way to do pulled pork – I do mine in a sauce and I still haven’t got it 100% – will definitely be giving this a go!
Helen
Let me know how it goes. It is quite mild so you can crank up the spices.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
All the pulled pork recipes around at the moment are making me really hungry! Your spice rub on this sounds perfect. I am adding it to my list of things to make.
Helen
Thanks Dannii. Love pulled pork, the freezer is stacked with it now.
Jennifer Tammy
The best word in your title for me was `effortless,`LOL even if I`m a huge pulled pork fan. I`m really excited to try out this recipe next month!
Helen
I hope that you enjoy it and it lives up to your expectations Jennifer.
Heather Haigh
I love pulled pork and your spice rub sounds great. Love the idea of the smoked chilli and I’m very partial to star anise and miso. Must give your recipe a go.
Helen
Let me know how it goes Heather, I love putting a Japanese twist on recipes.
Simone lee
LOVE THIS SO MUCH LOTS APPLE SAUCE