Crock-Pot Honey Sesame Pulled Pork

February 23, 2015

Crock-Pot Honey Sesame Pulled Pork




This is the sort of recipe that falls into the category of ‘Vaguely Oriental’ recipes.
I use the term ‘vaguely’ whenever I make something that has some oriental flare — but I won’t go as far as labeling it ‘Chinese’, ‘Thai’, ‘Vietnamese’, or ‘Japanese’.
Using orientalish ingredients in a dish - such as soy sauce or sesame seeds - doesn’t grant an ‘oriental Passport’ to that dish.

Crock-Pot Honey Sesame Pulled Pork




The same way my sis’s Indian chicken isn’t really Indian, it’s vaguely Indian. Combining chicken, yogurt, and store-bought Indian curry powder isn’t enough to create an ‘Indian’ dish.
It’s a sort of Indian dish.
Likewise, mixing cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese doesn’t make Alfredo sauce. Where is the seasoning? Where is the garlic? Are we clear Ms You-Know-Who? [Just kidding]
So there you have it, a vaguely oriental pulled pork.
In all honesty, semantics are not that relevant when a dish is delicious.
You can call it whatever you want, the only thing that matters if it’s good or not. Am I right?

Crock-Pot Honey Sesame Pulled Pork




This recipe uses a mixture of soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and sesame seeds.
It results in a vaguely oriental tangle of pulled pork that is mildly sweet, moderately sour, and bursts with umami goodness.
The meat absolutely falls apart and melts in your mouth, which is undeniably the best part.

Crock-Pot Honey Sesame Pulled Pork




The pulled pork is best accompanied by a bright and crunchy slaw, or top of a bowl of steamed rice (or even better, cauliflower rice), wrap in lettuce leaves or warm tortillas, or on buns for sandwiches (or rolls for sliders).
What I like about pulled pork is that it’s a great way to make one meal stretch into several different meals.
I make it one day in the week and can use it in several recipes the rest of the week.
It’s the best leftover you can have in your refrigerator.

Crock-Pot Honey Sesame Pulled Pork


Crock-Pot Honey Sesame Pulled Pork                                                                     Print this recipe!
Inspired by RasaMalaysia

Ingredients
Serves 6

2 lbs / 900 gr boneless pork roast
2 large onions, finely chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons honey (pick one with a mild taste)
½ cup / 4.2 oz / 120 gr ketchup (make your own ketchup with this recipe)
½ cup / 100 ml organic wheat-free soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
4 tablespoons raw coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar)

1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
2 tablespoons cold water

Directions

Lightly grease the slow cooker with oil and place roast in the bottom.
In a bowl combine onions, garlic, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and sugar. Mix well and pour over the roast.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours — cooking time will vary depending on the slow cooker you’re using, but generally the meat begins to fall apart nicely in the neighborhood of 5 to 7 hours.
When cooked, carefully remove the roast, place in a large bowl and with two forks pull the pork until shredded.
In a small bowl whisk arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) and cold water. Stir in the sauce and cover.
Return the shredded meat to the slow-cooker and stir to combine with sauce.
Serve warm!

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 415 calories, 13 grams of fat, 38 grams of carbs, and 37 grams of protein.

23 comments:

  1. Hey, whether it's "vaguely Oriental" or if it's so Oriental it hurts, I want to face plant into a big old batch of this pulled pork. I LOVE pulled pork, but have never had ANY kind of Oriental spin on it. Lovin' it! Pinned!

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  2. One vision, one nation, one tribe

    Finest pulled pork in ages!

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  3. Yes - you sure are right - semantics definitely don't matter - all that does is if the food is good or not - and this looks fantastic, Mike!

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    1. In my opinion, semantics and food is a topic to be further studied though. There's not enough on it.

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  4. I don't care if this recipe is only vaguely Asian...it looks vaguely delicious! Hmmm, wait, that doesn't sound right. I'm loving the flavor combo here, and I'm vaguely certain that it needs to appear for dinner here tonight. #WolfpackEats

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    1. Vaguely delicious? No, no, no this is legitimately delicious!

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  5. What can I say? This is insane! :)

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  6. Pulled pork is always good, but I'm loving the vaguely Oriental and that it's made in the Crockpot! It's been so cold here lately that Crockpot sounds like the way to go!

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    1. Crock-Pot food is the best on these cold winter days!

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  7. Works for me whatever you want to call it. 2 bowls please!

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  8. This looks really good Mike, love that you added sesame seeds.

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  9. Salivating over here and just finished dinner, LOL seriously that looks amazing, I need some like now please. Question where did the cute bowls come from? New to your blog and I really enjoy it so far :)

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    1. The cute bowls were a gift, so I have no idea where they come from. But I think they were bought in some sort of Import/Asian store

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  10. This is vaguely awesome. By vaguely I mean epically.

    Don't get me started on recipes which call themselves 'Asian' and all they add is a single sesame seed. Fail Whale.

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  11. I haven't had pork in a while - haven't found a recipe I want to try...until NOW! Thanks for this :)

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  12. This looks epic. Epic everything.
    I've never cooked pork at home although the family enjoys eating it at restaurants. I am sure nothing beats this one. This might be the best one to make at home, will let you know how that goes.

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  13. This was AMAZING! My husband and I absolutely loved it. Thank you for sharing!

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  14. How much fiber per serving does this recipe have?

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  15. hi, can the pork be substituted for chicken, so in this case, roast chicken?

    Thank you, i love your blog!

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