This Crockpot Asian Pulled Pork is a flavorful and easy meal made with lean pork loin, soy sauce, honey, barbecue sauce, and applesauce. The slow cooker does most of the work, creating a tender and juicy pulled pork perfect for serving in steamed buns or over rice with vegetables. It’s a delicious way to change up your meal routine while keeping things simple!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Pulled Pork:

1.5 lb pork loin
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp barbecue sauce (such as Stubbs)
1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp sriracha
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking spray (such as grape seed oil)

Optional Toppings:

Steamed buns
Garlic scallion mayo (1 tbsp light mayo, 1/2 scallion chopped, 1 minced garlic clove per serving)
Sesame cucumbers (1 sliced Persian cucumber, 1/4 tsp sesame oil, sesame seeds)

Directions

Prepare the slow cooker sauce: In the bottom of the slow cooker, whisk together applesauce, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, chicken broth, honey, sriracha, and minced garlic.
Sear the pork: Pat the pork loin dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat, spray with cooking oil, and sear the pork for a few minutes on each side until browned.
Cook in the slow cooker: Place the seared pork into the slow cooker, ensuring it’s coated with the sauce. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2.5 hours.
Shred the pork: After 2.5 hours, remove the pork and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker, mix with the sauce, and cook on HIGH for another hour.
Prepare the toppings (optional):
- Steam the buns using a steaming basket or microwave under a damp paper towel.
- Mix garlic scallion mayo ingredients in a small bowl.
- Toss the cucumbers with sesame oil and sesame seeds.
Assemble the sandwiches (optional): Split the buns, spread garlic scallion mayo, add the pulled pork, and top with sesame cucumbers.

Nutrients (Per ½ cup serving of pulled pork, estimated)

Calories: 185
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 26g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 71mg
Sodium: 315mg
Potassium: 471mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 7g

Why This Recipe Works So Well

Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor: The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, creating tender pork with deep, rich flavors.
Healthy and Lean: Using pork loin instead of pork shoulder keeps this dish lower in fat while still being juicy and delicious.
Sweet and Savory Balance: The mix of soy sauce, barbecue sauce, honey, and applesauce creates an irresistible combination of flavors.
Versatile Serving Options: This pulled pork is fantastic in steamed buns, rice bowls, salads, or even tacos.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavors develop even more overnight, making leftovers just as tasty the next day.

The Secret to Perfect Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

The key to achieving melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork is a combination of low, slow cooking and the right mix of ingredients.

Searing the Pork: While this step is optional, searing the pork before slow cooking helps build depth of flavor by creating a caramelized crust.
Balancing the Sauce: The mixture of soy sauce, honey, barbecue sauce, and applesauce creates a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors.
Shredding and Reabsorbing the Sauce: Once the pork is tender, shredding it and mixing it back into the sauce allows the meat to soak up even more flavor, making it extra juicy and delicious.

Why Pork Loin?

Traditional pulled pork recipes often use pork shoulder (also known as pork butt), which has a higher fat content and creates a richer dish. However, this recipe uses pork loin, which is:

Leaner: Lower in fat but still full of flavor.
Tender When Cooked Properly: Slow cooking pork loin in a flavorful sauce keeps it from drying out.
A Healthier Alternative: A great option for those looking for a lighter pulled pork recipe.

The Role of Applesauce in This Recipe

One of the unique ingredients in this dish is unsweetened applesauce, which serves multiple purposes:

Adds Natural Sweetness: It balances the salty soy sauce and smoky barbecue sauce without the need for refined sugar.
Enhances Tenderness: The natural acidity in apples helps break down the meat fibers, making the pork even more tender.
Complements the Asian Flavors: The subtle fruity notes work beautifully with the honey, soy sauce, and sriracha.

Building the Perfect Sauce

The sauce is what makes this pulled pork so flavorful and unique. Instead of a traditional BBQ-style sauce, this recipe incorporates Asian-inspired flavors for a bold and tangy taste.

Soy Sauce: Adds the perfect amount of umami and saltiness.
Honey: Brings a touch of natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully as the pork cooks.
Barbecue Sauce: Provides a smoky, slightly tangy base. Using a high-quality, natural BBQ sauce (such as Stubbs) ensures a well-balanced flavor.
Sriracha: Adds just a hint of spice to give the pork a gentle kick.
Garlic: Enhances the depth of flavor and brings in a classic savory taste.

How to Serve Crockpot Asian Pulled Pork

This pulled pork is incredibly versatile, making it easy to serve in a variety of ways. Here are some delicious serving ideas:

Steamed Buns: Classic and traditional, fluffy bao buns are perfect for stuffing with pulled pork, garlic scallion mayo, and fresh cucumbers.
Rice Bowls: Serve the pork over a bowl of steamed jasmine rice with sautéed veggies for a comforting meal.
Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb, keto-friendly option, wrap the pulled pork in crispy lettuce leaves with sesame cucumbers and scallions.
Tacos: Use corn or flour tortillas for an Asian-inspired taco with shredded cabbage, pickled onions, and a drizzle of hoisin sauce.
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Roast a sweet potato and load it up with pulled pork, avocado, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Salads: Toss the shredded pork with mixed greens, shredded carrots, and a sesame dressing for a refreshing and protein-packed meal.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

This dish is great for meal prep because it stores well and tastes even better the next day.

Refrigeration: Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze the pork in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating: Warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it moist.

Easy Side Dishes to Serve with Pulled Pork

Want to round out your meal? Here are some simple sides that pair perfectly with Crockpot Asian Pulled Pork:

Sesame Cucumber Salad: A light and refreshing side with sesame oil and rice vinegar.
Stir-Fried Vegetables: Bell peppers, bok choy, and carrots cooked with garlic and soy sauce.
Miso Soup: A warm and comforting starter.
Pickled Daikon and Carrots: Adds a tangy, crunchy contrast to the rich pulled pork.
Steamed Rice or Cauliflower Rice: A simple, neutral base to soak up the sauce.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Effortless Cooking: Just throw everything into the crockpot and let it do the work!
Family-Friendly: The mild sweetness and savory flavors appeal to both kids and adults.
Versatile and Customizable: Serve it in a variety of ways to fit your taste preferences.
Great for Meal Prep: Stores well and makes delicious leftovers.
A Unique Twist on Classic Pulled Pork: The Asian-inspired sauce and applesauce make it stand out from traditional BBQ pulled pork.

Conclusion

This Crockpot Asian Pulled Pork is a must-try for anyone who loves easy, flavorful, and versatile meals. The slow cooker ensures tender, juicy meat, while the combination of soy sauce, honey, barbecue sauce, and applesauce creates an incredible balance of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.

Whether you serve it in steamed buns, rice bowls, tacos, or lettuce wraps, this pulled pork is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. With minimal effort and big, bold flavors, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.

Try this delicious, Asian-inspired pulled pork today, and add a new favorite to your recipe collection!

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