Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Slow Cooker Chinese BBQ Pulled Pork (Char Siu)



Over the past few months, when I have been stuck for an idea for dinner and need something easy and mostly hands-off, I have been turning to pulled pork. I have a few recipes I like to use, including Guinness Pulled PorkAsian Pulled Pork and Pork Carnitas. A big plus is that these recipes make enough that you'll have leftovers for the next day.

Last week I was browsing through recipes online and came across one for a Chinese BBQ Pulled Pork, or Char Siu.



After reading through the recipe I knew what changes I would make based on our preferences, and had an idea as to how it would taste. I also knew I would serve it with noodles and sauteed bok choy for a really simple weeknight meal that would definitely give us leftovers.


This smelled so good while cooking - I could not wait to eat. The pork was so tender and juicy, sweet, salty and spicy - a perfect combination.


The only problem with making this recipe is I now have another pulled pork recipe to turn to, and when I love them all as much as I do, deciding which one to make is hard! I guess that's a good problem to have.


Slow Cooker Chinese BBQ Pulled Pork
Loosely Adapted from: Cooking Light

Ingredients

  • 2 lb pork loin
  • Salt, pepper and garlic powder
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1/4 c reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 3 Tbsp ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp minced ginger
  • 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp Vietnamese chili garlic sauce or Sambal Oelek
  • 1/2 c beer (I used Sapporo) 
Directions
  • Season the pork generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
  • Mix together the soy sauce through the end of the ingredient list
  • Turn the slow cooker on high and layer the onions and garlic in the bottom of the pot
  • Place the pork loin on top of the onions and pout the sauce mixture over the pork. 
  • Cover and cook until it falls apart with 2 forks, approximately 5 hours on high or 8 on low. Shred with 2 forks and keep on low for another 30 minutes, max, or warm until ready to serve. 




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3 comments:

  1. YUM, I will try this for sure. These would make for some good Chinese style tacos too - maybe for leftovers - inspired by the way peking duck is often served with flat little pancakes. Specifically thinking of Momofuku in NY! Add some purple cabbage, spring onions, julienned carrots, and call it a day!

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  2. Stacy - that sounds like a fabulous idea! What a great way to repurpose leftovers.

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  3. I love making pulled pork, as well! I can't wait to try this recipe out!

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