Sam's Go-To Pulled Pork Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (2 pound) package pork tenderloin, fat trimmed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3 dashes hot pepper sauce
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 pinch lemon pepper, or to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

Step 1

Season the pork tenderloin with salt, black pepper, and about half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Heat some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then brown the pork on all sides—this should take around 10 minutes. Once it’s nicely browned, transfer the meat to your slow cooker. Add in water, brown sugar, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and a splash of hot sauce.

Step 2

Let everything cook on low for about 7 hours until the pork is tender. When it’s done, take the pork out and place it on a platter. Pour off the cooking liquid but save about half a cup. Shred the pork with two forks, then put it back in the slow cooker and add just enough of that reserved liquid to keep the meat nice and juicy.

Step 3

For the sauce, mix together mayonnaise, white vinegar, garlic powder, lemon pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper in a bowl. Serve this tangy mayo sauce alongside the shredded pork—it’s the perfect finishing touch!