Are you a fan of pulled pork but don’t have the time or equipment to smoke it for hours on end? Fear not, because making tender and flavorful pulled pork in a crockpot is easier than you might think!
With just a few simple steps and ingredients, you can have delicious pulled pork ready to enjoy in no time. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making pulled pork tenderloin in a crockpot, including tips on seasoning, cooking times, and storing leftovers.
So grab your slow cooker and let’s get started!
How To Make Pulled Pork Tenderloin In A Crock Pot?
Step 1: Prepare the Pork Tenderloin
Before you start cooking, it’s important to prepare your pork tenderloin. Begin by trimming off any excess fat or silver skin from the meat. This will help ensure that your pulled pork is lean and tender.
Step 2: Season the Pork Tenderloin
To add flavor to your pulled pork, you’ll need to season it with a spice rub. In a small bowl, mix together salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub the mixture all over the pork tenderloin, making sure to coat it evenly.
Step 3: Add Liquid to the Crock Pot
Next, pour water or chicken stock into the bottom of your crockpot. Be careful not to pour it directly on top of the pork tenderloin, as this can wash away the spice rub.
Step 4: Cook the Pork Tenderloin
Place the seasoned pork tenderloin in the crockpot and cover it with a lid. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the meat is tender and falls apart easily.
Step 5: Shred the Pork Tenderloin
Once the pork tenderloin is fully cooked, remove it from the crockpot and use two forks to shred it into small pieces. If there is any liquid left in the crockpot, mix it in with the shredded pork to keep it moist and flavorful.
Step 6: Add BBQ Sauce (Optional)
If you like your pulled pork with BBQ sauce, now is the time to add it in. Mix in your favorite BBQ sauce until the pork is coated evenly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make pulled pork tenderloin in a crockpot, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– Pork tenderloin (1-2 lbs)
– Salt (1 tsp)
– Smoked paprika (1 tsp)
– Garlic powder (1 tsp)
– Onion powder (1 tsp)
– Water or chicken stock (1 cup)
– BBQ sauce (optional)
– Olive oil (2 tbsp)
– Spices of your choice (1 tsp each)
– Apple cider vinegar (1/4 cup)
– Chicken broth (1/4 cup)
– Brown sugar (1/4 cup)
– Prepared mustard (2 tbsp)
– Liquid smoke (1 tsp)
Make sure to have all these ingredients on hand before you start cooking. You can adjust the measurements of the spices and seasonings to your liking, depending on how strong you want the flavor of your pulled pork to be. With these ingredients, you’ll be able to make delicious and tender pulled pork in your crockpot with minimal effort.
Preparing The Pork Tenderloin
The first step in making pulled pork tenderloin in a crockpot is to prepare the pork tenderloin. Start by trimming off any excess fat or silver skin from the meat. This will ensure that your pulled pork is lean and tender. Once trimmed, season the pork tenderloin with a spice rub to give it flavor. In a small bowl, mix together salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub the mixture all over the pork tenderloin, making sure to coat it evenly. This will give your pulled pork a delicious and savory flavor that will make it irresistible. With the pork tenderloin properly seasoned, it’s time to move on to the next step of making pulled pork in a crockpot.
Seasoning The Pork
To ensure that your pulled pork is packed with flavor, it’s important to season your pork tenderloin properly. You can use a spice rub to add a depth of flavor to your meat. A blend of salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder is a great combination for seasoning pork tenderloin.
To apply the seasoning, start by patting the pork tenderloin dry with a paper towel. This will help the spice rub stick to the meat. Then, generously apply the spice rub all over the meat, making sure to coat it evenly. You can use your hands to rub the seasoning into the meat, ensuring that it’s fully coated.
If you want to experiment with different flavors, you can also try adding other spices and herbs that pair well with pork. Cumin, chili powder, rosemary, and thyme are just a few examples of seasonings that can enhance the flavor of your pulled pork.
Once you’ve seasoned your pork tenderloin, you’re ready to move on to the next step of cooking it in a crockpot. By following these steps and using the right seasonings, you’ll be able to create a delicious and tender pulled pork dish that will impress your guests or satisfy your cravings!
Setting Up The Crockpot
Now that you have prepared your pork tenderloin, it’s time to set up your crockpot. First, make sure that your crockpot is clean and dry. Then, place the stoneware into the heating base.
Next, pour water or chicken stock into the bottom of the stoneware. Be sure not to pour it directly on top of the pork tenderloin, as this can wash away the spice rub. The liquid will help keep the meat moist and tender while it cooks.
Place the seasoned pork tenderloin into the stoneware and cover it with a lid. If your crockpot has a programmable timer, set it to cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. If your crockpot does not have a timer, simply plug it in and turn it on to the desired setting.
It’s important to note that a CrockpotTM Slow Cooker should be at least 1/2 full to 3/4 full for best results. This ensures that there is enough liquid in the crockpot to keep the meat moist and tender.
Once your pork tenderloin is fully cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it into small pieces using two forks. If there is any liquid left in the crockpot, mix it in with the shredded pork to keep it moist and flavorful.
If you like your pulled pork with BBQ sauce, now is the time to add it in. Mix in your favorite BBQ sauce until the pork is coated evenly. And there you have it – delicious and tender pulled pork made right in your crockpot!
Cooking The Pork Tenderloin
Cooking the pork tenderloin is a crucial step in making pulled pork in a crockpot. To cook the pork tenderloin, you have two options: high or low heat. If you’re short on time, cook it on high for 4-5 hours. If you have more time, cook it on low for 6-8 hours. The key is to cook the pork until it’s tender and falls apart easily.
To ensure that your pulled pork is flavorful, add liquid to the crockpot before cooking the pork tenderloin. You can use water or chicken stock. Be sure not to pour the liquid directly on top of the pork tenderloin, as this can wash away the spice rub.
Once the pork tenderloin is fully cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it into small pieces using two forks. If there is any liquid left in the crockpot, mix it in with the shredded pork to keep it moist and flavorful.
If you prefer your pulled pork with BBQ sauce, now is the time to add it in. Mix in your favorite BBQ sauce until the pork is coated evenly. With these simple steps, you can make delicious and tender pulled pork tenderloin in a crockpot.
Shredding The Pork
Now that your pork tenderloin is fully cooked and seasoned, it’s time to shred it into small pieces. There are a few different methods you can use to shred pork, depending on your preference and the tools you have available.
One classic method is to use two forks to pull the meat apart. Start by placing the cooked pork tenderloin on a large cutting board and using a large knife to cut it into large pieces. Then, insert two forks into a piece of meat and pull in opposite directions to get long, thin shreds. Repeat with the remaining meat until it is all shredded.
Another option is to use meat claws. These are specially designed tools that make quick work of shredding meat. Simply place one claw inside a piece of meat and use the other hand in tandem with it on the outside. Once you get started, just twist slowly and pull apart at the same time – this will cut through tough connective tissues easily. You can also do this by clamping both pieces together between each other and pulling down for similar results.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to remove any bones or excess fat as you go. Once the pork is fully shredded, you can divide it into shallow containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. This makes pulled pork a great option for meal prep or quick and easy dinners throughout the week.
