Sear Pork Tenderloin Before Slow Cooking

Nothing beats slow cooker pulled pork. The spicy, saucy and oh-so-tender meat is nothing short of perfection. We'll show you how to make melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork for piling on sandwiches, tacos, nachos and more.

Whether you're hosting a family barbecue or cooking a hearty meal for your friends, pulled pork is always a winner. And, when cooked low and slow, it's perfect for busy days. Give our slow cooker pulled pork a shot and we promise it'll become an instant hit!

(Looking for the perfect slow cooker? Check out our buying guide to select your new favorite kitchen appliance.)

How Do You Sear a Roast Before Slow Cooking?

Before you pop your pork in the slow cooker, consider searing it first. Searing a roast before cooking has several benefits. Some say the meat is more flavorful if it's seared beforehand—and science supports this theory. The sugars and fats in the meat caramelize, yielding a richer taste and heartier texture when the roast is finished cooking. (Don't care for pulled pork? Try these satisfying pork loin recipes, instead.)

If you want to sear your meat, here's how:

Step 1: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the roast with cold water and place the meat on a cutting board. Pat it dry with paper towels, pressing to absorb as much water as possible.

Step 2: Trim the Fat

Trim any excess fat off the meat. Cut the roast into small pieces to ensure it will fit nicely in your slow cooker.

Step 3: Brown the Meat

Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Sprinkle and rub salt and pepper all over the meat. Brown the meat in the hot oil for several minutes on each side. Be sure to rotate it carefully so that the grease doesn't splash onto your skin. Remove the seared meat and place it in the slow cooker.

Take note of these helpful tips to avoid dry or tough meat in the slow cooker.

How Do I Make Pulled Pork in a Slow Cooker?

Ingredients

• 1 pork tenderloin (1 pound)
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon plus 1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 rolls or buns, split and toasted
• Coleslaw, optional

Step 1: Prep and Pour

Pre-sear the meat, or cut the tenderloin in half and place it in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Then combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and pepper. Pour this mixture over the pork.

Psst! Here are more yummy recipes to make in a 3-qt. slow cooker.

Step 2: Cook Low and Slow

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the meat is tender. Then, remove the meat and shred it with two forks. Return to slow cooker and heat through.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy

Serve pork on toasted rolls or buns, with coleslaw, if desired. Enjoy!

Our Favorite Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipes

Taste of Home

Korean Pulled Pork Tacos

I created this surprising pulled pork recipe to replicate our favorite food truck tacos at home. They're a little sweet, a little spicy and totally delicious any time of year. —Julie Orr, Fullerton, California

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PB&J Pork Sandwiches

I came up with this recipe for one of my daughters who loves peanut butter and pork! The result has become a favorite—kids and grown-ups alike often request it for dinner. —Jill Cox, Lincoln, Nebraska

Pulled Pork Taters

This recipe is as hearty as it gets—part bbq pork, part potatoes, completely delicious. My family can't get enough of this bbq baked potato recipe. —Shannon M Harris, Tyler, Texas

Pineapple Mango Pulled Pork

I love mangoes and pineapple. They go so well with pork. Serve these little sandwiches with a spring salad. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Spiced Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This pulled pork is tender and has a fabulous spice rub on it. It is my sweetie's favorite meal, and I love that it is so easy. What a fantastic way to warm up a chilly afternoon. Add more or less salt to taste if you'd like. —Katie Citrowske, Bozeman, Montana

Root Beer Pulled Pork Nachos

I count on my slow cooker to do the honors when I have a house full of summer guests. Teenagers especially love DIY nachos. Try cola, ginger ale or lemon-lime soda if you're not into root beer. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

Italian Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Enjoy all the flavors of Italian sausage sandwiches with this healthier alternative. —Lia Dellario, Middleport, New York

Pulled Pork with Ginger Sauce

It's almost sacrilegious for a South Carolinian from the capitol city to make any sauce for pulled pork except mustard-based. But we love this Asian-inspired Ginger Sauce. Wonderful in a sandwich it's also great over rice. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina

Pulled Pork Doughnut Hole Sliders

This slider recipe was created by accident when we had a surplus of root beer from a party. Now we can't have barbecue any other way! —Eden Dranger, Los Angeles, California

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I like to share this dish at potlucks because it can be made ahead, which I especially appreciate during the busy holiday season. The sweet-and-spicy sauce is always a hit. —Martha Anne Carpenter, Mesa, Arizona

Baja Pork Tacos

This delicious pork tacos recipe is my copycat version of the most excellent Mexican food we ever had, when we were visiting Flagstaff, Arizona. The original recipe used beef instead of pork, but this comes mighty close to the same taste. —Ariella Winn, Mesquite, Texas

Apple Cider Pulled Pork

For potlucks and tailgates, we slow-cook pork with cider, onions and spices. These tangy sliders make a winning barbecue plate with sweet potato fries. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia

Southwestern Pulled Pork Crostini

As a different take on crostini, these apps are fantastic for tailgating and casual parties alike. —Randy Cartwright, Linden, Wisconsin

Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I lived in Florida for a while and loved the pork I ate there, so I started making it for myself. The flavorful meat makes amazing Cuban sandwiches, but you can also use it in traditional pulled pork sandwiches or tacos. —Lacie Griffin, Austin, Texas

Conga Lime Pork

Dinner guests won't be too shy to get in line when this yummy chipotle pork moves to the buffet table. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

Sweet & Smoky Pulled Pork Sandwiches

My primo pork is smoky, tender and tastes like it came from a barbecue joint. Without much help from me, it basically shreds itself. —Lauren Adamson, Layton, Utah

Southern Loaded Sweet Potatoes

For a taste of a southern classic, we make sweet potatoes stuffed with pulled pork and coleslaw and manage to sidestep the calorie overload. —Amy Burton, Cary, North Carolina

Pork Burritos

As a working mother, I depend on my slow cooker to help feed my family. We all love the spicy but slightly sweet flavor of these tender burritos. —Kelly Gengler, Theresa, Wisconsin

Asian Pulled Pork Sandwiches

My Asian pulled pork is a happy flavor mashup of Vietnamese pho noodle soup and a banh mi sandwich. It's one seriously delicious slow-cooker dish. —Stacie Anderson, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Pork Picadillo Lettuce Wraps

Warm pork and cool, crisp lettuce are a combination born in culinary heaven. My spin on a lettuce wrap is chock-full of scrumptious flavor and spice. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

Tangy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

The slow cooker not only makes this an easy meal but keeps the pork tender, saucy and loaded with flavor. —Beki Kosydar-Krantz, Mayfield, Pennsylvania

Lime-Chipotle Carnitas Tostadas

Here's a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can customize their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy Pulled Pork

While I don't enjoy drinking beer, I love cooking with it. This quick recipe also goes great on plain hamburger buns with a side of slaw. —Renee Herrington, Plano, Texas

Barbecue Pork Tacos with Apple Slaw

We celebrate taco Tuesdays, so I keep things interesting by switching up the varieties. These pork tacos are super simple to make. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches

My husband is a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, so my sister shared this incredibly easy recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody can get enough of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, Kentucky

Sweet & Sour Pork Wraps

We always make these wraps at our family's annual party, and they're a true favorite. The cabbage and cilantro give them tempting texture and flavor. —Andrew DeVito, Hartford, Connecticut

Southwest Pulled Pork

I made these sandwiches on a whim one Sunday when friends called to say they wanted to drop by in the afternoon. I was able to feed them and my neighbors a casual supper. If you have time, you can coat the roast with the rub and store it, covered, in the fridge several hours before cooking for even more flavor. —Deb LeBlanc, Phillipsburg, Kansas

Southwest Shredded Pork Salad

This knockout shredded pork makes a healthy, delicious and hearty salad with black beans, corn, cotija cheese and plenty of fresh greens. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

Pitchfork Pulled Pork

Pile the spaghetti squash on top of these Italian-style pulled pork sandwiches so it looks like a haystack. It's so fun your kids won't know they're eating vegetables.—Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

Sesame Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I wanted to build a better pork sandwich, and this Asian-style filling was a huge hit with my husband and coworkers. Bring on the wasabi mayo. —Jennifer Berry, Lexington, Ohio

Cajun Pork and Rice

I created this recipe upon returning home from traveling. With little food in the house, I used what was there. My husband loves this dish because it's tasty, and I love it because it's easy. —Allison Gapinski, Cary, North Carolina

Sweet & Spicy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I threw some always-available condiments into my slow cooker with a pork roast to create this fantastic pulled pork. It has become a staple sandwich filler for large get-togethers. The flavor of the pork goes well with a cold glass of white wine.—Lori Terry, Chicago, Illinois

Southwestern Nachos

Guests will go crazy when you serve this cheesy nacho casserole with tender chunks of slow-cooked pork. The recipe makes two heaping pans, and you don't need to worry about filling the chip bowl—the tortilla chips are conveniently baked right in the dish! —Kelly Byler, Goshen, Indiana

Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork with Mojito Sauce

Growing up in South Florida, my culinary taste buds were influenced dramatically by the Cuban culture here. Infused with Cuban flavor, this twist on slow-cooked pulled pork is knock-your-socks-off good, whether you serve it up with rice and beans on the side or press it into a classic Cuban sandwich. — Kristina Wiley, Jupiter, Florida

Tropical Pulled Pork Sliders

I used what I had in my cupboard to make this pork, and the results were fantastic! I enjoy transforming an inexpensive cut of meat to something extraordinary. —Shelly Mitchell, Gresham, Oregon

Sear Pork Tenderloin Before Slow Cooking

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-make-the-best-pulled-pork-in-your-slow-cooker/

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