Garlic Pulled Pork

Revisiting family favourites

I’ve been revisiting recipes that have been some of my old-school recipes and family favourites that were our staples when we got started as clean eaters. I first posted this recipe in 2015; at that time, the kids were fussy, vegetables had to be hidden and disguised, and there was no potential for intense flavours or spice.

Times (thankfully) have changed, the kids have grown (like man-sized grown), and they now enjoy a wide range of foods. Things like vegetables are enjoyed, spice and chilli are consumed without complaint, and new ingredients are tried without tantrums.

As the kids have grown, my recipes have changed organically to meet their palates and preferences, I’ve updated this recipe because of that, but fear not; all I have done is make it a little bit better.

Converted to love pork

I never really liked pork. I always found it dry and bland or very chewy, so I stayed away from it. Now I know a little more about the different pork cuts and the differences between good quality meat and mass-produced meat. Good quality meats well-raised make all the difference.

Pork shoulder

Pork shoulder is one of the meat cuts that I have come to love over the last few years. It is cheap to buy, easy to cook and can be used in many different ways. Pork shoulder is excellent; you cook it once and end up with about five meals. When buying pork shoulder, pick a joint that has the bone in, as it will have more flavour, and the best-tasting meat is right by the bones. This recipe is basic; it lets the natural flavour of the pork shine and makes it a perfect base for other meals.

Garlic pulled pork recipe

Ingredients

1-1.5kg pork shoulder
6 garlic cloves, mashed
1 onion, sliced
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. chilli powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the onions in the bottom of your slow cooker, and build a little platform for the meat.

Place the pork shoulder on a chopping board.

Season the meat with salt and pepper, then sprinkle over the onion powder and chilli powder.

Spread the mashed garlic all over the meat, make sure to get it in all the little pockets around the shoulder.

Place the meat on the onions in the slow cooker.

Cook the meat on low for 8-10 hours.
Once the pork is cooked, you can pull it apart using forks or claws!