Tender Asian Pulled Pork Made Easy

This Asian-inspired slow cooker pork tenderloin creates fork-tender meat in a rich, flavorful sauce. By using lean pork tenderloin instead of fattier cuts, you'll get perfectly tender results with less fat. The entire prep takes just minutes, then let your slow cooker work its magic. Serve the finished pork over rice, in tacos, on sandwiches, or tossed with noodles for an easy but impressive meal.

Essential Ingredients

Pork tenderloin: Choose a fresh cut with good color and minimal exterior fat.

Garlic cloves: Use whole, fresh cloves for the best flavor infusion.

Soy sauce: Reduced sodium allows better seasoning control.

Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create a glossy glaze.

Dark soy sauce or molasses: Provides rich color and depth.

Toasted sesame oil: Essential for authentic Asian flavor.

Rice vinegar: Brings brightness and balances the rich sauce.

Fresh ginger: Creates aromatic warmth throughout the dish.

Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to the perfect consistency.

Red pepper flakes: Optional heat for those who enjoy spice.

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Cooking Method

Initial Setup:

Place pork tenderloin in slow cooker and arrange garlic cloves around it. No pre-browning necessary.

Make the Sauce:

Combine soy sauce, honey, dark soy/molasses, sesame oil, rice vinegar, cornstarch, ginger, and optional red pepper flakes in a bowl. Pour over pork.

Preparation:

Turn meat to ensure even sauce coverage. The meat will release juices during cooking.

Cooking Time:

Cook on high 2-2½ hours or low 4 hours until fork-tender.

Final Steps:

Remove garlic cloves, shred meat with forks, and mix back into sauce. Heat on high 10 minutes to thicken.

Serving Suggestions

Create colorful rice bowls by layering the pork with fresh vegetables like shredded cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers. Finish with sesame seeds for extra texture. For casual entertaining, arrange the pork with tortillas and toppings for an interactive taco bar.

Recipe Variations

Add peanut butter to the sauce for Thai-style flavor. Incorporate gochujang for Korean flair. For extra vegetables, add sliced peppers and onions during the final 30 minutes of cooking.

Storage Tips

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days. The flavors continue developing overnight. For freezing, portion into freezer bags and store up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator and reheat gently with a splash of water.

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Chef Tips

Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup.

Reduce sauce on high with lid off if too thin after shredding.

Toast sesame seeds before garnishing for enhanced flavor.

This recipe exemplifies simple cooking at its finest - minimal effort with maximum flavor impact. The combination of tender meat and rich sauce creates a memorable dish that's equally suited for casual family dinners or entertaining.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of pork should I use?

If you're short on time, tenderloin works well, but pork shoulder or butt are great for slower cooking.

→ What can I swap for the vinegar?

You can go for apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine, or even sherry.

→ How do I make this spicier?

Toss in more red pepper flakes or use chili garlic sauce as a topping or side.

→ What's the best way to serve it?

Pile it onto noodles, rice, or taco shells, or even pair it with a fresh veggie salad.

→ Can it cook for longer times?

Sure! You can set tenderloin for 4 hours on low. For bigger cuts like shoulder, cook it for 8-10 hours.