Last updated: June 21, 2024
This paleo-friendly pulled pork recipe for the slow cooker reminds me of summer nights with family and friends. It brings a sense of nostalgia of outdoor eating and special times enjoying the ease and beauty of spring and summer nights.
I think one of the best parts of pulled pork is you get all the taste of barbecue and outdoor eating without all the mess. The main reason why I love this recipe is because you can make this in a slow cooker.
Slow cookers are a lifesaver for me as busy mom and a business owner. I recommend using slow cooker recipes to help ease the burden of finding time to feed your family delicious, healthy, and anti-inflammatory food.
One of the reasons I am sharing this recipe with you is because I am a wellness coach who has personally struggled with hormonal imbalances and inflammation issues. By changing what I ate using both an elimination and paleo-friendly diet, I was able to balance my hormones and improve my gut health. This is one of my favorite, go-to recipes for eating an anti-inflammatory diet and that’s why I’m sharing it with you too!
This gluten free slow cooker pulled pork recipe can be served in a many ways, so you can change it up each time you make it. I also love to mix it up when I have the leftovers for lunch.
Why Is This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe Paleo-Friendly (Anti-Inflammatory)?
This recipe DOES NOT use barbeque sauce and because of this the recipe is perfect for those on a paleo diet! Just spices and the juice from the pork are used to create a delicious and healthy meal.
One reason I love eating pork on an elimination diet is that it is lean and incredibly high in protein (about 26% by weight), making it perfect brain and muscle food. Pork also contains all nine essential amino acids necessary for body growth and maintenance.
On top of those great qualities, it has a lot of vitamins such as thiamine, zinc, and vitamin B-12. Another great thing about pork is it is often cured as opposed to processed. That means it contains less chemicals.
Before we move on, if you would like to learn more about eating an anti-inflammatory diet, then I recommend you get my FREE Anti-Inflammatory Diet Food List. All you have to do is click the button below!
What Makes This Pulled Pork Recipe Soy & Gluten Free?
BBQ sauce, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce are not used in this recipe. Instead, the natural juices of the pork combine with the spices and chicken broth to make an utterly delicious anti-inflammatory meal.
I also only use spices that I know exactly what is in them. Surprises in your food are never a good thing. Use ingredients with as few additives in them as possible.
Soy is one of the most common dietary allergens. It can cause problems in the gut and can also contribute to asthma, eczema, and acne. That is one of the reasons I created this soy-free and gluten free pulled pork recipe.
Paleo Pulled Pork Slow Cooker Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 2.5 lb pork butt
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup chicken broth
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place all the seasonings in a small bowl and mix well to make the spice rub.
- Massage the spice rub all over the meat. You may have some left over if you have a smaller cut of meat.
- Place the pork into the slow cooker and pour the chicken broth in.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Remove the pork from the crock pot and place it on a cutting board.
- Shred with two forks or tongs and serve. You can spoon some of the juices from the slow cooker on to the pork for serving.
Paleo Pulled Pork Cooking Tips
What do you need to do to make sure you get pulled pork that is moist and comes apart easily? Follow the easy tips below to make it perfectly every time.
Tip #1 – Patience
You do not want to rush this recipe and run the risk of your pork being undercooked or too tough. The idea of pulled pork is to have it fall apart to the touch and soak up all the delicious goodness we put on it.
That is why we slow cook it. It makes it so much easier. Low and slow is always the best choice for cooking meat.
Tip #2 – Use a Thermometer
No one wants to risk undercooked pork. When you think it is done just grab your thermometer and check. Pork needs to reach about 195 Fahrenheit internally to be properly cooked and “pulled”.
Tip #3 – Don’t Overthink It
There is no need to add a whole bunch of fancy sauces or ingredients to this recipe. Just a handful of delicious spices and your pulled pork will practically create its own sauce. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does.
Paleo Pulled Pork Variations
I cook this paleo slow cooker pulled pork often because my son is a picky eater. Kids enjoy trying proteins when they are pulled-style. Even he eats this one up.
If you find yourself cooking this recipe often like I do, it’s nice to have some different ideas on how to serve it. The list below has some great options.
- Put it into a bowl on top of cauliflower rice, with grilled veggies, salsa, and avocado
- Use grain-free tortillas to create pork tacos
- Create a summer-inspired salad – add some of your favorite beans and dairy-free, soy-free salad dressing
- Serve BBQ style with sugar-free, soy-free BBQ sauce, a side of veggies, and anti-inflammatory potatoes
I hope you find this paleo pulled pork recipe for the slow cooker as delicious as I do!
If you decide to make this modified (but still super simple) traditional pulled pork recipe, I hope you enjoy it and end up adding it to your dinner rotations.
