Low Sodium Barbecue Pulled Pork

Transform your barbecue favorites with this Low Sodium Barbecue Pulled Pork recipe – bursting with bold, smoky flavors without the excess salt. Made with a tender, slow-cooked boneless pork shoulder and seasoned with a rich blend of garlic powder, smoked paprika, no-salt-added tomato paste, and a hint of liquid smoke, this dish delivers a healthier twist on classic comfort food. The sauce, sweetened naturally with honey and brown sugar, balances tangy apple cider vinegar for the perfect finishing touch. Easily prepared in a slow cooker, this recipe ensures juicy, pull-apart pork that’s ready to top sandwiches, rice bowls, or salads. Perfect for meal prep or casual gatherings, this low sodium pulled pork guarantees big flavor with less guilt.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:495 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons no salt added tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Begin by trimming the excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving just enough to keep the meat moist and flavorful as it cooks.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, combine the low sodium chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, no salt added tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, red pepper flakes, liquid smoke, honey, cider vinegar, and olive oil. Whisk until all ingredients are well mixed.

Step 3

Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker and pour the sauce mixture over it, ensuring the pork is well-coated.

Step 4

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to cook on low for approximately 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.

Step 5

Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the pork into bite-sized pieces.

Step 6

Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir it into the remaining juice to absorb extra flavor.

Step 7

Serve the low sodium barbecue pulled pork on whole grain buns, over rice, or alongside a fresh salad. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2006.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3997.0

Total Fat 301.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 99.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1088.6mg	0%
Sodium 1558.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 72.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.1g	0%
Total Sugars 60.9g
Protein 252.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 236.5mg	0%
Iron 18.9mg	0%
Potassium 4806.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.6%

Protein: 25.2%

Carbs: 7.2%