I recently stumbled upon a culinary gem, and trust me, you won’t want to miss this—Filipino Adobo Pulled Pork cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. Imagine tender, pull-apart pork infused with flavors so rich they practically dance on your taste buds. It’s like the Netflix of comfort food—once you start, you can’t stop.
Steps
- Place the pork loin, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, water, crushed garlic, ground peppercorns, bay leaves, and optional jalapeño in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cook for 6 to 8 hours, turning the pork halfway through the cooking time.
- Once cooked, remove the pork and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and let it cook for another hour to absorb the flavors.
- Discard the bay leaves and serve the pork over rice. Garnish with chopped scallions before serving.
Ingredients
- 1.75 lb lean pork center loin
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 5 cloves garlic, crushed
- 6 ground peppercorns
- 4 to 6 bay leaves
- 1 jalapeño, chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped scallions (for garnish)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1218 kcal | Carbohydrates: 24.5 g | Protein: 154 g | Fat: 56 g | Saturated Fat: 21 g | Cholesterol: 385 mg | Sodium: 5642 mg | Fiber: 1.4 g | Sugar: 7 g
FAQ
- Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?
- Yes, while the recipe uses a lean pork center loin, you can also try using pork shoulder or another cut. Just be mindful that different cuts may affect the cooking time and tenderness of the meat.
- Is there a substitute for apple cider vinegar?
- If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, you can substitute it with white vinegar or rice vinegar, though the flavor profile may slightly change.
- Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?
- Yes, you can adapt this recipe for an Instant Pot. Use the sauté function to brown the pork first, then switch to the slow cook setting or pressure cook for a shorter time, adjusting as necessary.
- What can I serve with Filipino Adobo Pulled Pork?
- This dish pairs wonderfully with jasmine rice. You can also serve it with a side of fresh garden tomatoes or a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
- How spicy is this dish with the jalapeño?
- The jalapeño adds a mild heat to the dish. If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can add more jalapeños or keep the seeds. To reduce the heat, simply omit the jalapeño.
Tips
- For a more flavorful result, consider turning the pork halfway through the cooking process to ensure even absorption of the rich adobo flavors.
- After shredding the pork, return it to the slow cooker for an additional hour to allow the flavors to fully infuse into the meat.
- If you enjoy a bit of heat, include a chopped jalapeño in the slow cooker; otherwise, you can omit it for a milder taste.
- Serve the pulled pork over jasmine rice and garnish with chopped scallions for an added touch of freshness and color.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (e.g., 6 Quart Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker)
- Meat Thermometer Probe (if not included with the slow cooker)