Slow Cooker Cajun Pulled Pork
I’ve partnered with Smithfield® and Collective Bias to create these Slow Cooker Cajun Pulled Pork Sandwiches.
Now that the weather is turning cooler, dust off the slow cooker and whip up some delicious comfort food! #SmithfieldCares #CollectiveBias
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So you guys know by now how much we love our pulled pork around here. Sometime in the late Fall, I usually make a big batch of pulled pork on the smoker and then freeze it for tasty meals over the winter. There’s something awesome about having a delicious pulled pork sandwich for dinner smack in the middle of winter. It reminds you of warm summer days. And it (almost) makes you forget the fact that you need to go shovel snow off the driveway.
But I’ve discovered a whole new way to make delicious pulled pork sandwiches now that the weather is starting to turn cold again. The slow cooker! Not only are these Slow Cooker Cajun Pulled Pork sandwiches delicious, but they’re incredibly easy, too. I lived in Louisiana for a few years, and I absolutely fell in love with that state.
From the oak-lined streets of New Orleans’ Garden District to the sprawling Southern plantations, Louisiana is definitely a unique place. But the best part is the food! I didn’t know much about Cajun food before moving to Louisiana, but one bite and I was hooked. (Prior to moving there, I thought Cajun food just meant adding an insane amount of cayenne pepper…I wrong about that one!)
It’s hard to find good Cajun food way up here in upstate New York, so I’ve often hit the kitchen trying to recreate some of my favorites. Gumbo, Red Beans + Rice, Etouffee…these classic Cajun dishes show up frequently in our kitchen. But I decided to take a bit of a different direction this time. I took a classic pulled pork sandwich and then topped it with a tasty Cajun cole slaw.
I grabbed a Smithfield All Natural Fresh Pork Shoulder Picnic at our local Walmart the other day. I rubbed a homemade Cajun spice mix over the pork shoulder before it went into the slow cooker. Fast forward a few hours and I had a delicious plate of pulled pork ready for sandwiches! (In the meantime, I had whipped up the Cajun cole slaw, and I had it sitting in the fridge.)
Once Laura got home from work, it only took a few minutes to prepare these tasty Slow Cooker Cajun Pulled Pork sandwiches. I’m all about doing the prep work early so that dinner comes together in literally 5 minutes!
Smithfield All Natural Fresh Pork is proudly raised in the USA by Smithfield farm families. In support of their Compassion for Community mission, Smithfield and Walmart are awarding over $9,000 in prizing to everyday folks who embrace compassion, care and commitment within their communities.
Personally, I could think of a lot of people who deserve recognition. From the unknown folks who plant beautiful flowers at the front of our neighborhood to the volunteers who host regular nature walks in our nearby town parks. These people do what they do without any expectation of payment or recognition…and that’s what makes it even more meaningful. Simple acts of kindness are the best! Who would you nominate? (See below for more info.)
Check out the video below for tasty (and easy!) Honey Apricot Pork Chops.
Slow Cooker Cajun Pulled Pork
Ingredients
For the Cajun Spice Mix
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
For the Pulled Pork
- 1 2½-3 lb Smithfield All Natural Pork Shoulder Roast
- ½ cup apple juice
- 3 Tbsp hot sauce
For the Cajun Cole Slaw
- ½ head ~4 cups cabbage, shredded
- ½ cup carrots shredded
- 2 green or red bell peppers thinly sliced or shredded
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tsp cream-style horseradish sauce
- 2 tsp ketchup
- 2 tsp hot sauce
- 2 tsp dill pickle juice
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- 2-3 cups Pulled Pork
- Cajun Cole Slaw
- 4 buns
Instructions
For the Cajun Pulled Pork
- In a small bowl, combine all of Cajun Spice Mix ingredients; mix until well combined. (See note.)
- Firmly press/rub spice mixture over all sides of pork shoulder. Transfer pork shoulder into slow cooker. Add apple juice, cover and cook until pork is very tender (~6-8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high).
- Remove pork shoulder from slow cooker and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Using two forks, shred the pork shoulder into bite-sized pieces.
- Transfer pulled pork into a large bowl and toss with the hot sauce.
For the Cajun Cole Slaw
- Place cabbage, carrots and bell peppers in a large bowl; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients (mayonnaise, milk, horseradish sauce, ketchup, hot sauce, pickle juice, paprika, salt and pepper).
- Add mayonnaise mixture to bowl with cabbage and carrots; stir until well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
For the Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Serve pulled pork on buns with coleslaw.
Cajun pulled pork sounds like it would be full of flavor. I love the spices that you used to make this pulled pork. The sandwich is a meal in itself with the coleslaw. Yummy stuff.
Oh man, you’ve got that right, Dawn. These sandwiches were packed with flavor! And we did in fact turn these sandwiches into dinner for several nights! (And I froze a bit of the pulled pork…I imagine we’ll pull it out for an easy meal on a cold, cold winter night.) Thanks! 🙂
This is my kind of meal! I love to freeze a big batch and pull it out for quick weekday meals! This pulled pork looks so delicious….and I’m really loving that coleslaw!
Yes, we definitely share the same logic when it comes to good food, Kathy! I need it to be super tasty, but I also need it to be easy. So that’s where making a big slow cooker full of pulled pork comes in, right? 🙂 Thanks!!
I use my slow cooker all the time for pulled pork, but never thought of freezing the leftovers to enjoy later. Great idea! I could eat a good pulled pork sandwich any time of year, really…sun or snow. It always goes over well in our home. That Cajun coleslaw sounds absolutely delish too. Nice touch with the horseradish! Love that bit of heat. Pinned! Hope you have a great week, David!
Yes, definitely freeze some of the leftovers, Dawn! Pulled pork is super awesome…but it’s even more awesome when all you have to do is just pull it out of the freezer. 🙂 I had a lot of fun coming up with the Cajun coleslaw on top of this one…can’t say that I use a mandolin for bell peppers very often! Thanks, Dawn!
4 recipes in one post – now that there is an act of kindness to all of us who are fans of Spiced, David! This Slow cooker Cajun pulled pork would be a hit at our home -especially when paired with that coleslaw! It’s still in the 80s here so I haven’t quite ventured under my cabinet to pull out my slow cooker – but think this recipe is most definitely worth it.
Simple acts of kindness done by those people who never expect any reward are the best indeed. Awesome post! Happy Monday to y’all – hope y’alls weekend was wonderful!
Hah…I guess there are 4 recipes here. I had to scroll up to see what you meant, Shashi! But they all come together to create something awesome. 🙂
Woah, 80’s still? I guess that makes sense, but yeah it’ll be a few more weeks before slow cooker season rolls around down there! But when it does…you’ll be ready! Thanks so much, Shashi. We had a great weekend, and we’re off and running with the new week! I hope you guys are doing well down there, too!
Cajuns don’t shovel snow! Snow doesn’t accumulate that much in Cajun land. Must be a yankee pretending.
That is true, Bubba! I lived in the South for 31 years, and I think I saw more snow up here in the first 3 months than I saw in all of those years before that. Hope you enjoy this recipe!
Hi David! Nothing beats a pulled pork sandwich with slaw! I really like your kicked up dressing. My slow cooker has been in use all summer because it was just too hot to turn on the oven on a lot of days! Plus you get the added bonus of smelling up the whole house!
I couldn’t agree more, Dorothy! Pulled pork sandwiches are definitely top 3 on my all-time comfort food list…especially when you pull them out of the freezer on a cold, cold winter night. 🙂 And of course I couldn’t resist putting a Cajun twist on this classic! Thanks!!
This time of year I love anything I can throw in the slow cooker because otherwise there just isn’t time to get things on the table for dinner!
I totally agree, Julie! Slow cookers are an incredible invention…and then there’s the bonus of how the whole house smells amazing while they’re cookin’ away. I really appreciate you stopping by and commenting! 🙂
I love adding cajun spice mix to a lot of my recipes, it elevates the flavor so much! This sounds like a comforting meal 🙂
I totally agree, Manali! So of course I couldn’t resist adding a Cajun twist to pulled pork. Thanks so much! 🙂
Sounds a lot yummy.. Should definitely give a try !!
Thank you so much, Sharmila! This one is super tasty, and the Cajun twist is a lot of fun. I really appreciate you stopping by and commenting! 🙂
From the apple juice in the cooking to the tossing in of hot sauce after shredding and horseradish in the slaw dressing this recipe has all sorts of goods that are right up my alley. What’s your favorite bun with these? I have used Potato, to French role and last time I used a ciabatta and found that best.
Oh there are so many awesome layers of flavor to this pulled pork, Kevin! Laura and I polished off those sandwiches in no time flat. That’s a good question about buns. I do like a ciabatta bun, but for pulled pork we typically prefer a super, super soft white bun. Basically the cheap hamburger buns from the store. That way, the bun soaks in all of the tasty juices. Oh man, now you have me craving pulled pork sandwiches at 7:45 in the morning!
I am not sure what I am drooling over most, the pulled pork or the slaw. Maybe the combination of them both? This is such delicious autumn comfort food.
Haha…thanks, Dannii! (Or is this Dave?) Either way, these sandwiches are super tasty…and they taste even better when you freeze the pulled pork and then have dinner ready in about 10 minutes on a cold winter night! 🙂
Oh, I like pulled pork too; mostly in theory cause I’ve tried it just a few times in my life. And I’ve never made it from scratch. I feel sad about that. I think the only one thing which can help me right now is this delicious sandwich, David! You don’t even need to send me a sandwich – ship a large container of this succulent pulled pork, and I’ll make a sandwich by myself (I cannot ask you do everything, right?) Thank you in advance!:)
Oh, pulled pork is so easy to make, Ben. I like making it on the smoker, but once the weather turns cold, it’s hard to venture outdoors. That’s where the slow cooker comes in! You know what? I’m feeling nice today, so I’ll send a gigantic container of pulled pork up your way…you better sit on the doorstep and wait for it! 🙂
We love to freeze some smoked pulled pork for winter too. Isn’t it the best?!?! You certainly can’t go wrong with a slow cooker and some Cajun seasoning for a fun twist on a classic! Pinned!
Yes! Another frozen pulled porker! (Ok, I may have just called you a porker…but I promise I didn’t mean it like that. Haha!) The Cajun twist on this one was a lot of fun, too. Thanks so much, Rachelle!
Once the little ones come, it’s hard to get away, but I’m sure you will be able to plan a vacation soon. I love visiting the East Coast, especially DC, there is so much history, great food, and a rocking nightlife, I don’t eat meat, but that burger looked and smelt delicious. My friend devoured it and contemplated getting another one, I mean how could you not, I bet you it tasted better than it looked, which seem impossible.
I just dusted off my slow cooker because it’s Slow Cooking season 🙂 My favorite time of the year. I’m a set it and forget it kind of girl. I’ve never had Slow Cooker Pulled Pork; the pictures make my mouth water with excitement. Great recipe David!
It most definitely is slow cooker season! (Even though we have this strange upper 70’s weather going on this week…we’re normally around 60 this time of the year. Hey, I’m not complaining!) I know you’re not a meat eater, but I wonder if there’s a way to do a ‘veggie’ pulled pork/roast beef type of meal? We might need to figure that one out! Thanks so much, Mary! 🙂
Ive just come home from a warm country and I’m loving my slow cooker for warmer meals – this looks awesome!
Thanks so much, Lucie! I loved the photos in that post…Alcudia seems like an incredible vacation spot! But, yes, now that we’re back in chilly weather again it’s time to pull out the slow cooker. This pulled pork is a classic, and the Cajun twist is super fun! 🙂
This is the man who has grilled pizza, baked beer in pizza and created ice cream cones from wraps….and hasn’t used a slow cooker?! Geebuz! The slow cooker was the reason for pulled meat in my life. Luckily, you’ve nailed it with this creation- The spices sound amazing!
I know, I know…I just don’t pull the slow cooker out all that much! But I’ve decided to fix that this year, mate…watch out because slow cooker madness (or should I say slow cooker deliciousness) is coming your way!
I’m only now getting caught up on my reading, and oh how did I miss this! Cajun pulled pork, I’m wishing I had pork in the fridge! Can’t wait to try. Also, great photos, love the mardi gras beads!
This Cajun Pulled Pork was a ton of fun to make, Matt. I mean I love anything in a slow cooker just because of how easy it is…but then adding on the coleslaw with a Cajun twist was fun. Oh, and beads. I have a lot of those. I’m talking like trash bags full. They hang out in our basement, and my wife tells me to get rid of them. But no way! I need them for Mardi Gras every year! 🙂
I don’t usually go in for pulled pork, but you – as you often do – have a way of making me second-guess myself. These sandwiches look delicious.
Oh, you definitely need to 2nd guess your pulled pork thoughts! Not only is pulled pork insanely easy in a crock pot, but you can then build some incredible sandwiches. Ultimate comfort food on a cold night right there! Plus, your house will smell amazing while the pulled pork cooks.
I have had a real craving for pulled pork lately. Didn’t want to make BBQ either. I saw a lot of Cajun recipes but they were complicated. I had everything in the house that was required. I did not make the coleslaw (although it sounds so good) but I did buy coleslaw. I made it today 01-23-21. It was FANTASTIC! Super easy too. I am not a very creative cook so this made me look good. Everyone loved it. I don’t know what is about coleslaw on the top of a pork sandwich but YES!!!
Hey Debbie! I’m really glad you stopped by and made this recipe – it’s a good one! I like the twist of making pulled pork without BBQ sauce. I do enjoy BBQ sauce + pulled pork, but sometimes you’re just in the mood for something different. Do try the coleslaw recipe here at some point – it’s really fun using the classic Cajun ingredients like bell peppers. The crunch on top of a pulled pork sandwich is a must! Either way, glad you liked this one. I really appreciate the comment!
I want to make this for some company, but I’m confused at the yield. It says it makes 12 servings, but needs only 4 buns in the ingredient list. How many sandwiches does this actually make? I’m not a meat eater, so I have no point of reference, sorry… Thanks much!
You know, that’s a great question, AI! The description is indeed a bit confusing. I’d estimate that the pulled pork itself is enough for 12 sandwiches. The rest of the recipe is scaled for making 4 sandwiches. (We typically make a few sandwiches when we make this recipe, and we just freeze the leftover pulled pork.) Does this make more sense? In short, if you scale up the buns and cole slaw, you should easily be able to get 12 sandwiches worth of meat. Let me know if you have any other questions!!
Perfect! Thanks! It’s resting now. Do I put it back in the juice and use a lotted spoon for serving? Newbie here….sorry.
Hey AI! We were out all day yesterday with our son (enjoying the fall weather), so I didn’t see your comment in time. I’m guessing you already served this, but, yes, we typically mix in some of the cooking juice to keep the pulled pork from being dry. I hope the crowd enjoyed this recipe! 🙂 I truly appreciate you stopping by my site and using this recipe!