Low Sodium Pulled Pork with Barbecue Sauce

Savor the rich, smoky flavor of this Low Sodium Pulled Pork with Barbecue Sauce, a heart-healthy twist on a southern classic! This easy, slow-cooked recipe transforms a tender pork shoulder into melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, seasoned with a perfectly balanced rub of paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar for a hint of sweetness and spice. The homemade barbecue sauce, made with low-sodium tomato paste, honey, and a touch of liquid smoke, delivers all the bold, tangy goodness you love without the extra sodium. With just 15 minutes of prep and a slow cook time of 8 hours, this one-pot dish is perfect for busy days. Serve it on soft buns, over fluffy rice, or alongside your favorite sides for a versatile, crowd-pleasing meal. Whether you're meal prepping for the week or hosting a backyard barbecue, this recipe is a deliciously guilt-free way to satisfy your barbecue cravings.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:495 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 pounds Pork shoulder (boneless)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
• 0.5 cup Apple cider vinegar
• 6 ounces Tomato paste (low sodium)
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (low sodium)
• 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
• 1 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and brown sugar. Rub this spice mix evenly over the pork shoulder.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 3

Transfer the seared pork shoulder to a slow cooker.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add apple cider vinegar to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits, then pour into the slow cooker.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, mix together tomato paste, honey, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, and water. Combine until smooth.

Step 6

Pour the barbecue sauce mixture over the pork in the slow cooker.

Step 7

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easy to pull apart.

Step 8

Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks.

Step 9

Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix well with the sauce.

Step 10

Serve the pulled pork warm, either on buns, over rice, or with your choice of side dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2021.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4088.7

Total Fat 301.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 99.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 952.5mg	0%
Sodium 1294.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 101.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.0g	0%
Total Sugars 79.3g
Protein 254.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 272.6mg	0%
Iron 24.0mg	0%
Potassium 5477.5mg	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: 65.6%

Protein: 24.6%

Carbs: 9.8%