Heart-Healthy Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork
Transform your classic slow-cooked favorite into a nutritious, guilt-free delight with this Heart-Healthy Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork recipe! Made with lean pork tenderloin, a flavorful blend of apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, cumin, and a touch of honey, this dish is as wholesome as it is delicious. The slow cooker does all the hard work, infusing the meat with incredible tenderness and zesty, smoky flavor while keeping it low in fat and sodium. Serve the succulent pulled pork on whole wheat burger buns, topped with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime for a burst of brightness. Perfect for family dinners or crowd-pleasing meals, this recipe proves that comfort food can be both heart-healthy and irresistible. Whether paired with a side of fresh greens or enjoyed as a standalone star, this lean pulled pork is bound to win you over with its wholesome ingredients and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork tenderloin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
- 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 8 buns whole wheat burger buns
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped, for serving)
- 4 wedges lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Trim any visible fat from the pork tenderloin to ensure it is lean. Cut the tenderloin into a few large chunks to help it fit comfortably in your slow cooker.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent, then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker. Place the pork chunks on top.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, honey, stone-ground mustard, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pour this sauce over the pork in the slow cooker.
Add the bay leaf to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours, until the pork is very tender and can be pulled apart with a fork.
Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat. Discard the bay leaf.
If desired, skim off any excess fat from the surface of the sauce in the slow cooker. Return the shredded pork to the sauce and stir to combine.
Serve the pulled pork on whole wheat buns, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice for additional flavor. Enjoy with a side of fresh salad or steamed vegetables to complete your heart-healthy meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3031 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 76.9 g | 99% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.1 g | 96% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 617 mg | 206% | |
| Sodium | 5328 mg | 232% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 289.9 g | 105% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 39.0 g | 139% | |
| Total Sugars | 79.0 g | ||
| Protein | 286.3 g | 573% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.8 mcg | 9% | |
| Calcium | 980 mg | 75% | |
| Iron | 31.5 mg | 175% | |
| Potassium | 6003 mg | 128% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
