Slow Cooked Barbecue Pork with Mango Slaw
April 12th, 2011 § 67 Comments
Dear Mum,
I made pulled pork last night, and…well…I just feel sour about it. No, not because the pork was bad. In fact, it was sweet and saucy and smoky all at the same time. You know how I love that. And no, not because I will now have homemade barbecue sauce underneath my fingernails for 72 hours and also as a happy reminder on my favorite pink camisole. No, not even because when I eat barbecue I speak in a slow Suthun’ drawl, real lady-like, and Daniel reminds me he doesn’t love my Paula Deen. Or my Al Pacino, for that matter.
[Hoo aww.]
So, what made me sour? Tough to tell at first, especially since I loved the meal so much I felt a little pale blue for the rest of the night. Nothing quite sets me afire like a meal I can eat with my hands, lick on my fingers, and marry with creamed corn. Except for Leo. But you know that already. And he never called again after we finished filming Shutter Island. I know. I’m sad too. No, but like, really sad. But do you think–
Oh nevermind.
What was I writing you about?
Oh. Yes. The pulled pork.
I guess I’m just going to have to place a little blame where blame is due. And you know how I love to blame you. Admit that it’s a little fun. No?
Well, we’ll agree to disagree. But I’m right.
No offense.
So anywho, here it is, my (latest) grievance with you: I just think you should have made me a pulled pork sandwich before I turned 26 and learned to make it own my own. I mean, that’s verging on three decades without so much as a dribble of barbecue sauce down my chin. And listen, pork is my favorite meat. If pressed (and please, God, I’m only being hyperbolic with my mother, so like, don’t make this true), I would forsake all other meat for a lovely piece of pig. A chop, a rib, a belly, a butt. I’m easy like Sunday morning. (We both know that’s untrue, but for the sake of simile, we’ll defer to Lionel Richie, k?)
Where do we go from here? Well, I think you could just apologize, buy me a few Mallo Cups, and call it even for that time I spread Elmer’s Glue on my nightstand. In my defense, though, I was creating a snow covered nativity for Christmas.
I’m a slave to artistic authenticity.
How’s that sound? We’ll call it a truce?
Good?
Good.
Because I really would like for us to work through this. The good news is that in the past 36 months I’ve more than made up for 26 years of barbecue pulled pork deprivation. The bad news is that in the past 36 months I’ve more than made up for 26 years of barbecue pulled pork deprivation.
It’s bittersweet.
Anyway, I’m glad I got that off my chest. I love you. I do. I’ll even share a saucy pork sandwich with you. I swear the sweet smokiness will make you want to crawl inside the slow cooker and wade in barbecue sauce. One bite of mango slaw and you’ll be sure you’re seeing life through rose colored glasses. Though, I’m not entirely sure I’d ever want my vision tinted pink. Hey, why does anyone even say that? It just seems terrible, actually.
But, yes, the pork.
It’s love. Strands and savory strands of meat so tender if falls apart before you even bring your lips to meet it. You can have half.
Like, half of a half. So, a quarter of one.
Of Daniel’s.
I should write you more often.
Forever your *favorite baby,
Andrea
*I mean, who’s kidding who?
Slow Cooked Barbecue Pulled Pork
(serves 4)
- 1/2 medium onion, sliced
- 1 lb pork- preferably sirloin, but tenderloin works just as well
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 2 TBSP spicy brown mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- pinch cayenne pepper
- Scatter the sliced onion in the base of your slow cooker. Lay the pork on top of the onion.
- In a bowl, whisk to combine all remaining ingredients. Pour evenly over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Shred the meat by using two forks and pulling against the grain
Mango Slaw
1 large mango, peeled and sliced into thin matchsticks
juice of half a lime
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and serve over pulled pork.
Nutrition info for 1 serving (1/4 of entire recipe- pork and slaw): Calories: 313.9, Fat: 7.6g, Carb: 41g, Fiber: 2.8g, Sugars: 33.5g, Protein: 26.3g
Yum!!! Barbecue sauce and mango sound like the perfect combination to transition into summer with. I hope you don’t hate me, but I’m actually not a huge pork fan. (gasp!) But I will certainly be trying out your sauce with chicken and can’t wait to add mango to the mix!
It is 4:30 in the morning… and I am DROOLING! I want some…with a side of salt and vinegar chips! I’m saving this in the “must-make” bookmark folder.
I’ve had cole slaw with pulled pork sandwiches all the time but never mango. That looks fantastic!! Will be making that mango slaw next time.
Pork = my favorite meat (obviously). Mango = one of my favorite fruits. I think I just died. Wow.
I LOVE pulled pork. Totally making this.
I had a pulled pork sandwich as my chosen post-race eats.
This was a really big deal- it’s a very important decision, you know. And I loved every bite.
Mmm… I love your pulled pork recipe! Made it with the granny apple slaw when I was first discovering your blog. Something about knowing the sauce is all homemade just makes it that much more satisfying. The mango sounds great, will have to try it next!
I love that you paired a mango slaw with this, what a creative idea! I bet the sweetness of the slaw was just perfect for that tangy bbq… mmmm love me some bbq that’s for sure
Love the combination, looks amazing! I’d imagine also a green mango slaw would also add some acid too, so that would be great to try also! Yum, love mangoes!
LOVE this!! The mango slaw especially.. SO summery and it makes me want to eat that sandwich right.this.second. Yes, ad 8:10am. YUM!
and by ad I meant at. Clearly, it’s too early!
Wow, that looks fantastic! Pork is my favorite meat too–I have a friend who keeps trying to find a pig in Richmond so that he can eat all the parts =)
Yup, clearly I live in the south
Things like this make me wish I wasn’t a vegetarian.
I can appreciate this. I loved the letter to your Mum – please tell me you call her Mum. That would make me love you so much more.
I may not share your love of pork, but I do love Leo!
This post is so cute! The sandwich looks incredible.
I am so bummed I didn’t think of mango when I just made my pulled pork. This can only mean one thing.
I must make it again.
And obviously as soon as possible. I think I’m feeling sick..might need to leave work for the day…(cough…)
Hmmm I love the idea of putting mango on it! And the Diet A&W…you’re a girl after my own heart!
I just got this wicked idea for a pizza with barbecue sauce, pineapple, mango, red onion and cilantro. It may or may not be an awful idea.
OH my gosh. Please make me this pizza? Like, please?!
love the mango slaw idea!!!
seriously
pulled pork – awesome
BBQ – equally awesome
mango – more awesome
all combined – no words!
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Wowww Andrea these look AWESOME!!
YES! I am so glad I found your site. Thanks to LYK, who mentioned you. Very entertaining article
And wow, those pictures are enticing. This recipe rocks. 
lol I LOVE the letter to your mom. You’re adorable.
Im not a fan of pork, but a pulled pork sandwich (THIS pulled pork sandwich) sounds incredible. Especially the mango slaw. Thats just genius right there.
wow, your sauce looks amazingly good, i need to update my pulled bbq chicken sandwich with this sauce. its the real deal. i love bbq. yum.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE mango. And who doesn’t love pork? (Coincidentally, I just made a poor man’s version of this the other day with leftovers). Can’t wait to try this out.
My hubby would LOVE this recipe..and let’s just be honest, so do I
Growing up, pulled pork was seriously my favorite meal. Granted, ours came out of a container from the refrigerated section but I absolutely loved it!
I’ll take one please!!!
I recently came across your blog and I have been LOVING it…thank you for sharing your story, your beautiful pictures, your yummy-sounding recipes…I can’t wait to keep reading
Thank you Natalie! Great to meet you
I love pulled pork. Growing up my Grandpa used to make his North Carolina pulled pork – just vinegar, crushed red pepper and Tabasco, simmered in a big pot all day, then served with a mound of vinegar coleslaw and a warm toasted white bun.
The first time I made it for my husband he was like “where’s the bbq sauce?!” Um, its North Carolina bbq – no sauce required!
Okay, now I’ve just added pork shoulder to my grocery list
i have to move to the us. i never get all the products. (but i finally found black beans ^^)
I am obsessed with mango lately! I saw a mango salsa recipe on the Food Network, but this looks way better!
Omg! What a wonderful, summery combination. Summer cooking is the best! I can’t wait to get started, once classes are over. Btw, I have a study abroad trip to London planned for this May. They tell me the cheapest way to eat there is cook. Got any good budget-friendly, healthy recipes?
Oh Sarah! Sounds like a fun trip; I’m jealous!! I’d always recommend eating what the locals eat. To make the whole experience more true to the country you’re in, just figure out what folks eat day in and day out, and cook that. Keep in mind that vegetarian meals- like bean dishes are almost always much cheaper. And anything you make, just add a lot (A LOT) of veggies to it!
Have a lovely lovely trip
I’m not a huge fan of pork, but I think I’m probably a huge fan of this. Holy yum!
It’s recipes like this that make me want to run away from home since my daughter swore off meat and has turned our dinners into macrobiotic health fests. Looks delicious! Can I stay for dinner?
Yumm! I haven’t had pork in a while and this is making me want some
Oh yum yum yum. Except for the cilantro. There’s so much of it in Thai food, and I have tried, honest I have. It just.makes.my.mouth.mad. But mango slaw without the cilantro is still delicious!
…and I almost forgot… you are such a great writer. When you are rich and famous will you remember all your faithful bloggies?
are we soulmates? I think we might be.
This looks delectable. I’m adding it to my weekly menu for next week! (what recipe of yours haven’t I tried, though..)
I need to have homemade pulled pork! Can you believe me! I know!
Shame shame! This is THE perfect recipe I’ve been waiting for! So juicy! and tropical? YES! Lovin the mango sauce! I’ve always been skeptical of mango sauces but this looks perfect for the BBQ pork sandwich!
I never met a pulled pork I didn’t love… well that’s not completely true. But looking at this .. well honey you had me at hello! ha ha.. will definitely try this one!
This looks awesome. YUM.
Another awesome meal. This was my favorite when sailing. I blush just thinking about it.
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[...] Slow Cooked BBQ Pork w/Mango Slaw [...]
I’m so drooling right now! I don’t like pork all the much…except for prosciutto…but this…this looks and sounds amazingly delicious…especially with that mango slaw! Nice!!
Hey Andie,
Made the pulled pork this weekend to combat a sugar hangover. Ye gods! It was amazing.
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Oh my! I felt like fireworks were exploding in my mouth! My hubby and I cannot even believe how in.cred.ible. this dish is!
We will be eating this for the rest of our lives! We set aside a little of the mango slaw to toss in with some rum & seltzer…perfect ending
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That sounds just amazing! I’m not as much of a pork fan but I think it would be also really good with fresh moose meat when available, or chicken as a sub
Deff. gonna have to try this recipe out
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This is in my crockpot right now. Can’t wait, it’s been pouring rain here all day and this will be wonderfully warm tonight.
Just made this last night with chicken instead of pork and it turned out wonderfully! Thanks for the easy and delicious BBQ sauce recipe
Question for you
In the picture you served the pork as a sandwich … on an english muffin? It’s hard to tell. And is the bread calculated into the nutrition facts?
I love your recipes. I’m steadily eating my way through your site. And losing weight while doing it! Yay!
Prepped and ready to go in the crockpot tomorrow. No matter what happens Tuesday, we’re having a really good dinner!
I made this the other night – used the quantities for the sauce, but a much large piece of pork shoulder. Wow, it was great. Served the meat and sauce with Quinoa. Next night, it was even better. I’m sure the 3rd time will be even more amazing. Love how good food continues to get better!!
I made this for my family tonight and EVERYONE loved it – a rarity here (to have everyone love it). So good. Thank you!