Crock Pot Italian Pulled Pork

This Crock Pot Italian Pulled Pork is a rich and savory recipe, which includes boneless pork shoulder and crushed tomatoes. It’s a no-fuss take on the classic, ready in about 8 hours and 15 minutes.

Crock Pot Italian Pulled Pork Ingredients

• 1 Smithfield Boneless Pork Shoulder Roast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Black pepper
• 2 tablespoon olive oil (separated)
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 28 oz crushed canned tomatoes
• 3 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup wine (red or white, whichever you prefer)
• 2 good handfuls fresh basil (torn)
• 1 good handful fresh parsley (chopped)
• Extra salt and pepper (to taste)

For the Sandwich:

• Italian bread
• Mozzarella cheese

How To Make Crock Pot Italian Pulled Pork

1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan. Add diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
2. Deglaze with wine: Dilute tomato paste in wine. Increase heat and add to the pan. Simmer until reduced by one-third.
3. Prepare the pork: Remove netting and place the pork shoulder roast into the slow cooker.
4. Add tomato mixture: Once wine has reduced, stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then ladle the mixture over the pork in the slow cooker.
5. Slow cook the pork: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
6. Shred the pork: Transfer the pork to a cutting board and use two forks to shred it.
7. Assemble the sandwich: Pile the shredded pork onto Italian bread, spoon a bit of sauce over it, top with mozzarella cheese, and broil until the cheese melts.

Recipe Tips

• What kind of pork roast should I use? A boneless pork shoulder roast is ideal for slow cooking and shredding.
• Can I use red or white wine? Yes, either works—red gives a deeper flavor, while white adds a lighter touch.
• How to know when the pork is done: The meat should fall apart easily with two forks after 8 hours on low.
• How to make it spicier: Add red pepper flakes or diced chili peppers to the tomato sauce.
• Best bread for pulled pork sandwiches: Crusty Italian rolls or hoagie buns hold up best to the juicy meat and sauce.

What To Serve With Italian Pulled Pork Sandwiches

These sandwiches go great with:

• Garlic Parmesan fries
• A crisp green salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Italian pasta salad
• Pickled peppers or giardiniera

How To Store Italian Pulled Pork

Refrigerate: Store the pulled pork and sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freeze: Let the pork cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Italian Pulled Pork Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 541
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Protein: 39g
• Fat: 36g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Cholesterol: 143mg
• Sodium: 566mg
• Potassium: 712mg
• Sugar: 2g
• Calcium: 62mg
• Iron: 2.9mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I prep this Italian pulled pork the night before?
Yes, you can prep the sauce and store it in the fridge, then combine with pork in the slow cooker in the morning.

Can I make this without wine?
Yes, substitute with beef or chicken broth if you prefer not to use wine.

What’s the best way to reheat pulled pork?
Reheat on the stove with a bit of sauce or broth to keep it moist.

Can I cook this on high instead of low?
Yes, but the pork may be less tender. If using high, cook for about 4–5 hours.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
The pork and sauce are gluten-free; use gluten-free bread if needed.

Try More Recipes:

• Crock Pot Italian Pork Tenderloin
• Crock Pot Hawaiian Pork Tenderloin
• Crock Pot Cranberry Apple Pork Chops