Crockpot Pulled Pork

This is hands down one of the BEST things I have ever made.  It was super simple, delicious and the house smelled AMAZING all day.  Since beginning the Total Body Transformation Challenge I have been attempting to eat a very low carb, high protein diet; this also means that I have been browsing new recipe websites and I've become interested in many 'paleo' recipes.  I found this recipe for pulled pork on a paleo friendly site and knew I had to make it immediately!  I ended up finding a 5 LB pork loin on sale at Trader Joes and thanks to Adam's immense spice cabinet we made the majority of the other ingredients needed.  This was also the perfect meal for a rainy football-watching Sunday!

 

Crockpot Pulled Pork

 

Ingredients
For the Pork
1 pork loin (about 5 LBs)
3 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dry mustard powder
1 tbsp sea salt
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

For the Sauce
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cans tomato paste (6 oz each)
2 TBS lemon juice
3 tsp dry mustard
2 TBS cinnamon
1 TBS paprika
1/4 cup water
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp allspice
2 TBS sugar

 

Serves: 6-8

 

Directions

Trim an excess fat from the pork loin ~ combine all the seasoning into a small bowl ~ using your fingers rub the spice mix all over the pork loin ~ spray the crock pot with coconut spray (or Pam) and place the pork in the pot ~ cook on high for 6 hours ~ toward the end of the 6 hour cooking time make the sauce ~ combine all the ingredients in a medium sauce pan, whisk together and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes ~ after the 6 hour cook time is complete drain any excess juices from the crock pot and shred the pork using two forks ~ add as much sauce as you would like and continue cooking on high for another hour ~ serve on a bun or with a salad.

 

 

You will NOT be disappointed by this recipe!  It. was. so. good.  Taste wise it was a cross between Carolina style (vinegary) and Midwestern style (sweet red sauce) - you could taste the sweetness of the cinnamon, the tanginess of the apple cider vinegar and the heat of the cayenne at the end.  It also made a TON of food - way too much for two people but now we have a awesome leftover!