James Martin Pulled Pork Slow Cooker Food

SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK

Steps:

• 1. In a medium saucepan, stir together the ketchup, bourbon, ¼ cup brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer for 10 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a 5- to 6-quart slow-cooker bowl, combine the remaining ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1½ teaspoons salt, and 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper. Add the pork and rub the mixture all over the meat. Turn the pork fat side up. 3. Pour ¼ cup sauce and 1 cup water into the slow-cooker bowl. Refrigerate the remaining sauce for serving. Cover and cook as the manufacturer directs on the low setting until the meat is falling-apart tender, about 8 hours. 4. Carefully transfer the meat to a large bowl; discard the fat and skin. Using two forks, shred the meat into small pieces. Carefully pour the sauce from the slow cooker into fat separator. Pour the sauce over meat, leaving behind and then discarding the fat. Serve in the buns with the reserved sauce.

ROOT BEER PULLED PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place roast in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Add root beer; cook, covered, on low until meat is tender, 8-10 hours., Remove roast; cool slightly. Discard cooking juices. Shred pork with two forks; return to slow cooker. Stir in barbecue sauce. Cook, covered, until heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve on rolls. Freeze option: Freeze cooled meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary.

SLOW COOKER BBQ PULLED PORK

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the garlic and onion powders, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. If you have time, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to overnight. If you don't, no worries; proceed to Step 2.
• Lightly grease the crock of a slow cooker. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear the pork until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes each side. Add onion, if using, to the slow cooker. Add the pork on top of the onion. Pour soda over the pork and set the slow cooker to low for 6 to 8 hours, until the meat has collapsed and shreds easily.
• Drain most of the liquid from the slow cooker and shred the meat directly in the pot. Add about 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce and stir to combine. (At this point, if you like crisp bits in your pulled pork, you can spread the shredded pork on a sheet pan and place under a broiler for a couple minutes then return to the slow cooker.) Taste and add more barbecue sauce, hot sauce, salt or pepper, if desired. Serve with soft rolls and extra sauce on the side.