This Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork recipe is a perfect easy, filling weeknight dinner. Made in the slow cooker with only a few ingredients, it’s low in fat, packed with protein, and paleo / Whole30 approved!
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Warning: You’re going to want to eat this Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork for dinner almost EVERY week once you try it!
Partially because it’s one of the easiest recipes ever, but also because it’s super delicious! This healthy pulled pork only requires 10 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time.
The crockpot does the rest of the work for you to make the tastiest pulled pork with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
A few months ago I was in a total dinner/cooking rut.
I was so bored with everything that I was finding on Pinterest, totally sick of all my favorite recipes that I had found and saved over the years… and just plain didn’t want to cook.
If you’re looking for other slow cooker recipes – check out these 28 Delicious Paleo Crockpot Recipes.
Then this pulled pork came into my life, and it has hands down been my favorite thing to make for dinner. Mostly because it requires so little work, which is perfect because I’ve been SO busy.
It’s good to be busy because it means I have lots of opportunities – but I’d rather spend my energy on the things that matter than pondering what to make for dinner!
P.S. – If you love crockpot recipes, check out these 45 Healthy Crockpot Recipes!
You all feel me on that right? We’re all doing a gazillion things.. and while I truly love cooking, there are some nights when I just need a break.
This recipe takes about 1o minutes to pull together (a little longer if you roast up potatoes + green beans like I did), but otherwise it’s super simple.
It’s also paleo, whole30 friendly, gluten free, sugar free, and dairy free. Most importantly it’s DELICIOUS. Cause that’s what really matters, right?
I really love topping this with Tessemae’s Barbecue Sauce. It’s paleo/Whole30 friendly, but it also tastes amazing! I hate when BBQ spices are too sweet, or too smoky.
You can get it right on amazon with this link. This is a must make if you’re doing a Whole 30, but it’s also an awesome healthier, leaner version of a meal that everyone loves!
How to cook healthy crockpot pulled pork:
Cooking healthy pulled pork is very easy. The key is the spices!
Get your spices + other ingredients. Whisk together your olive oil+ spices. Marinate your pork tenderloin.
Allow your pork tenderloin to marinate. When you’re ready to cook. Put it in the crockpot with chicken stock. Allow it to cook low + slow.
When it’s cooked, shred + toss with barbecue sauce.
Do you need to use pork tenderloins for this?
I prefer to use pork tenderloins in this recipe because they tend to be less fatty and very lean. You could also use a pork shoulder or pork butt if you prefer!
Substitutions for this recipe:
- Pork – You can use pork shoulder or butt for this recipe, but i prefer the pork tenderloins because they are so lean. Chicken will also work with this recipe!
- Spices – Feel free to change up the spices in this recipe or use your favorite BBQ rub
- Oil – Avocado oil will work in this recipe in place of olive oil.
Do you need to use barbecue sauce in this recipe?
You could leave the barbecue sauce off this recipe, but I love adding Tessemae’s BBQ Sauce to it for extra flavor and to keep it moist.
Just be careful with the barbecue sauce you use because many of them have tons of added sugars and funky ingredients.
Things you should serve this Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork with:
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes
- Garlic Rosemary Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Crispy Garlic Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Healthy Green Beans Almondine
Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs pork tenderloin (approximately 2 medium pork tenderloins)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce of Choice (We like Tessemae's)
Instructions
Crockpot Instructions:
- Clean off 'silver skin' from pork tenderloin. (This is optional, but recommended to keep it lean)
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil + spices. Marinate pork in olive oil + spices overnight if possible in a ziploc bag, otherwise place tenderloins in crockpot and cover with oil/spice marinade. Make sure all areas of the pork have some marinade on them.
- Pour chicken stock on top of marinated tenderloins.
- Cook on low for 6 hours in the crockpot.
- When finished cooking, use tongs or a fork to pull the tenderloins apart (it will fall apart!). Allow the juices to soak into the pulled pork.
- Toss with your favorite barbecue sauce + enjoy!
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Clean off 'silver skin' from pork tenderloin. (This is optional, but recommended to keep it lean). Cut pork tenderloin into 5-6 inch sections. You can leave the tenderloins whole, but it will take longer to come to pressure.
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil + spices. Marinate pork in olive oil + spices overnight if possible in a ziploc bag, otherwise place tenderloins in instant pot and cover with oil/spice marinade. Make sure all areas of the pork have some marinade on them.
- Pour chicken stock on top of marinated tenderloins. **Important Note** Add an extra cup of chicken stock or water. The instant pot requires more liquid.
- Set instant pot to Sealing, Pressure Cook for 18 minutes. When instant pot is done, manually release pressure.
- When finished cooking, use tongs or a fork to pull the tenderloins apart (it will fall apart!). Allow the juices to soak into the pulled pork.
- Toss with your favorite barbecue sauce + enjoy!
Video
Notes
- I prefer to use pork tenderloins in this recipe because they tend to be less fatty and very lean. You could also use a pork shoulder or pork butt if you prefer!
- You can marinate this pork ahead of time for up to 24 hours for even more flavor
Cecilia
Looking at the pictures made me hungry!
Love how easy the recipe is. Thanks for sharing!
The Clean Eating Couple
Thanks Cecilia!! I hope you give it a try 🙂
Rachel (LittleChefBigAppetite)
This looks great!! I don’t eat pork, but I want to try this with chicken thighs!
The Clean Eating Couple
I’ve done it with chicken too and it’s SO yummy!!
Laura
Anything that combines BBQ, Sweet potatoes and my slow cooker is a winner in my book! Totally need to make this!
The Clean Eating Couple
I couldn’t agree more!! 🙂
Rachel
I tried this with a different marinade and it came out dry after 6 hours . I used the instant read thermometer at 6 hr mark like you said and the temp was over 200 🙁 . I did have lime juice in my marinade, but I didn’t think it would alter the time that much….I plan to try again this weekend with a cook time of 4.5 hours and see how it is.
The Clean Eating Couple
Hi Rachel – I’m not sure what could’ve possibly happened.. I just made this today and had no issue with it! Did you use the broth and cook it on low? I’m wondering if something is off with your crockpot and the temperature is too high! I actually cooked it for an extra two hours today and it was completely moist! 🙁
Angie
Everything I make in my crock pot comes out dry. Any tips on avoiding that? I’m trying this recipe this week. Thanks!!
The Clean Eating Couple
Hi Angie – If you follow the directions on this it definitely won’t come out dry! I always try to add some liquid to my crockpot recipes, I find it helps!
Alicia
I had nearly 3lbs of meat and cooked on low for 5.5 hours. The internal temp read 200 degrees after 5 hours. Turned out a little dry.
The Clean Eating Couple
Hi Alicia – I’m really sorry to hear this turned out dry… I’m wondering if it has something to do with your crockpot? I’ve made this at least 20 times and never had a problem 🙁
Shawnna
This was by far the best pulled pork I’ve made.
It was a hit in my house, i will definitely be making
It again!
The Clean Eating Couple
I’m so glad you liked it, Shawnna!! The leftovers are great in tacos or even for breakfast with eggs!
Jesse Urbina
Can’t wait to try! Just a question: how many oz in a serving? I’m trying to get better sense of my macronutrients and I see its 315 calories per serving but don’t know the serving size. Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple
Hi Jesse – The recipe calls for 2.5lbs of pork. There are 16 oz in a pound, so the recipe has 40oz total. When you divide it by 6 servings per the recipe it’s about 6.6oz per serving.
Diane Selzam
I make this a couple times a month when doing my food prep…yummy!
The Clean Eating Couple
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s perfect for meal prepping!
Ann
I made this recipe today in my instant pot on the slow cooker setting. It was absolutely amazing!! I had to keep from peeking before the 6 hours was up because the house smelled soo good! It was a huge hit with the family as well- my picky 3 year old loved it! It was perfectly moist and the meat fell apart just by stirring it with a wooden spoon.
The Clean Eating Couple
I love hearing that Ann!! I’m so glad your family loved it 🙂 That makes me so happy!!
Annmarie
I made this recipe for pulled pork today and it was absolutely amazing! The meat was tender and juicy and fell apart just by stirring it with a wooden spoon. My picky 3 year old also enjoyed it! I also had to keep myself from peeking when it was cooking- the house smelled that good!!
Rick Dermody
I am trying this today. I marinated just as you said, but a bit less of each spice since my wife has IBS and finds that spices upset it. My daughter is coming over who is totally “organic” and she balked at it at first but I assured her it would be clean and used organic chicken broth. Her 15 yo son is totally looking to chow down on this! I’ll have her bring over her favorite organic BBQ sauce. Another daughter is gluten sensitive so this works for her. I have 2 crockpots going–one with this recipe and one with baked potatoes. The gluten sensitive one might choose to eat the pork on a baked potato, o/w I have some whole wheat buns and some dairy free cheese and cooked organic broccoli and cauliflower for whoever wants to dress up their baked potato. As others have said, it smells delicious and I can’t forsee any dryness problems. Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple
That makes me so happy to hear, Rick!! I love this recipe because it is super versatile and everyone can love it! I’m glad your entire family can enjoy it!! 🙂
Nicole
So yummy I made this yesterday and it came out perfect!
The Clean Eating Couple
I’m so glad you liked it, Nicole!! 🙂
Melanie
I love this! Thanks for sharing. If I were to make this recipe without the BBQ sauce, are the spices still on the sweeter end?
The Clean Eating Couple
Hi Melanie – I wouldn’t say that the spices are on the sweeter end, but the pork still has a lot of flavor even with out BBQ sauce! You can shred it and just skip the sauce if you’d like!
MIssy S
This recipe was one of the best pulled pork easy crockpot meals I have ever made! The taste was amazing and you don’t need to over do it with the BBQ sauce! The pork was tender and I decided to pair it with a baked sweet potato and cucumber & tomato salad! This is definitely a keeper!
The Clean Eating Couple
I’m SO glad you liked it, Missy!! I totally agree – it’s fine without the BBQ sauce and flavorful on it’s own. Have you seen my Easy Paleo Slow Cooker Recipes Book? It is filled with recipes like this one!!
Jennifer Ramos
Liz always has easy and tasty recipes. Loved this pulled pork recipe because it basically makes itself. I used my sugar free bbq sauce and it was freaking delicious. If you like this try her homemade baked fries!!! Yum!
The Clean Eating Couple
Thank you so much Jennifer! This + the fries are seriously my favorite combo!!
Kareela Heidenreich
Our whole family absolutely loved this. I did not add any barbecue sauce and it was still beautiful . Definitely making again.
The Clean Eating Couple
So glad you liked it, Kareela! The BBQ sauce honestly isn’t even necessary – it tastes great on it’s own!
Valerie
Loved this recipe – so tender and tasty and so simple. I will definitely be making again. Also, the crispy roasted sheet pan potatoes are the perfect side with this!
The Clean Eating Couple
So glad you like it, Valerie! Aren’t those potatoes the best?!
Laura
This is such an easy crockpot recipe to make your entire house smell great on a cold night. The flavors all mixed well and ate with Brussels as our side. Thanks for the tasty recipe.
The Clean Eating Couple
So glad you liked it, Laura!