I’m showing you how simple it is to slow cook a big batch of pulled pork in this first ‘Cook Once Eat All Week’ series. Thank you to the Ohio Pork Council for sponsoring this post.
What’s that old saying – if you fail to plan you plan to fail? As a creative-type person I’ve never been great at planning things ahead but I’m trying to develop strategies to make planning easier for myself. Like this plan for Cook Once Eat All Week where I use my slow cooker to make a big batch of shredded meat – in this case pulled pork – and then portion it out for dinners all week.
Like me you probably think of pulled pork as BBQ but a Pork Butt (also called a Boston Butt or Pork Shoulder) can be so versatile. In fact I prefer pulled pork over chicken in meals like enchiladas. A nice cut of pork from your butcher doesn’t need much to slow cook into a pile of juicy and delicious shredded meat. Just some lemon juice, an apple and salt.
Watch how I cook once and eat all week with pork:
I specifically developed three simple meals for this shredded pork. I’m not even really sure I can call them recipes they are that easy: Pork Enchiladas, Pork Teriyaki Bowls and BBQ Pork Quesadillas. I use help from the store for my sauces, a can of black beans, a can of corn, some shredded cheese, tortillas, rice and broccoli. These meals are economical as well as convenient for on-the-go families like ours.
Pork Enchiladas:
- about one pound of shredded pork (see recipe below)
- one can of black beans, drained
- six ounces of shredded Colby Jack Cheese
- jar or pouch of enchilada sauce (this one is my favorite)
- four 10-inch tortillas
- Mix the pork, beans and cheese – divide evenly among tortillas and roll – place in greased baking dish – top with enchilada sauce – top with more shredded cheese if desired – bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes
Pork Teriyaki Bowls:
- about one pound of shredded pork (see recipe below)
- one bunch of broccoli (roasted or steamed) – or use another favorite family vegetable
- your favorite Teriyaki sauce
- cooked rice
- Stir together the pork and broccoli with enough Teriyaki sauce to coat – serve atop cooked rice
BBQ Pork Quesadillas:
- about one pound of shredded pork (see recipe below)
- one can of corn, drained
- eight ounces of shredded Mozzarella cheese
- your favorite BBQ sauce
- four 10-inch tortillas
- Mix together the pork, corn and cheese with enough BBQ sauce to coat – divide mixture evenly among four tortillas – fold in half and brown in a buttered skillet until cheese is melted
Tips to Cook Once Eat All Week with Pulled Pork:
- I used a five-pound pork butt for this recipe – the fat helps to keep the meat moist while cooking but I discarded the cooked fat as I was shredding the pork
- These containers are terrific for storing the pulled pork until ready to use
- This recipe yielded enough pork for five meals – for more recipes scroll down to the end of this post
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Pulled Pork (for meal prep)
Ingredients
- 1 5-pound pork butt (also known as Boston butt or pork shoulder)
- 1 lemon
- 1 apple
- 2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Place the pork into a 6 or 8 quart slow cooker. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the top of the pork. Slice and core the apple and place on top of the pork. Sprinkle the top of the pork with the salt.
- Cook on LOW for 8 - 10 hours. Shred the meat, being sure to discard the apple skins, fat and bone. Portion the meat into five separate containers (about 3/4 - 1 pound each) for meals.
- Shredded pork can be stored in air-tight containers for up to one week in the refrigerator or up to one month in the freezer.
Nutrition
MORE DINNER RECIPES USING PULLED PORK:
- Pork Cubano Sliders
- BBQ Pulled Pork Hash with Spring Vegetables
- Creamy Pulled Pork Pasta
- Loaded Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Natalie says
I love meal prep ideas and I love pulled pork! Looks absolutely delicious and perfect for weekdays 🙂
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Natalie
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
Pork shoulders make so much – it’s good to have a plan on how to use all the meat, if you aren’t cooking for a crowd. It’s only my husband and I, so usually when I get a pork shoulder, I’ll cut it in half and freeze the other half. And we still have 3 days of leftovers.
foodtasticmom says
I made these three meals (for video and photo purposes) and then frozen my two other containers!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
So many good ideas! I love having leftover pulled pork in the fridge and this will be a great resource hanging ON my fridge!
foodtasticmom says
So glad to hear!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
Oh wow, this post has my name written all over it…I am the worst when it comes to planning meals, but this I can do! And those enchiladas are to die for :)))
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Sue – it was a toss up but the enchiladas were my favorite. The rice bowl was my daughter’s favorite – she even took some in a thermos for lunch today.
Ann says
Ooooh I made pulled pork for the week recently too! Used it for sandwiches and nachos, but was just thinking I needed some new ideas for how to use it. It is such a delicious time saver! I love these ideas.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Ann!
Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake says
What a great idea! I usually think about meal prep in terms of specific recipes, but I love how you show how to make one simple pulled pork recipe and then explain how to use it throughout the week. It makes it that much easier to prep for the week!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you! Yes I am trying to think outside the box a bit and just plan around one type of meat.
Pam Greer says
Oh my goodness, I love this idea!! The pulled pork sounds so good and I love all the ways you used it!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much Pam!
Dana says
Great post and great recipes. Whenever my husband smokes a pork butt, it lasts for a long time! So it’s great to have all of these options. Not that eating it straight out of the container isn’t good, but you know 😉
foodtasticmom says
Trust me I was taking all kinds of bites of just the pork while I was filming 🙂 And my next purchase is a smoker!
Kate | Veggie Desserts says
What great meal prep ideas. Such a great way to make weeknights a little easier!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Kate!
Lucy Parissi says
My whole family is a huge fan of pulled pork – great serving suggestions too, can’t wait to try
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Lucy!
Hadia says
Looks so easy to put together, yet so delicious! Enjoyed watching the video too!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Hadia!
Kelly says
What great ideas! My sons love pulled pork.
foodtasticmom says
Thank you Kelly!
Richa Gupta says
This looks great, such a perfect dinner idea!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
Lisa D says
The Enchiladas made with left over pork shoulder came out awesome! Thanks – I wouldn’t have known to make that recipe.
foodtasticmom says
Great – so happy to hear this!
Liren | Kitchen Confidante says
Love all the wonderful ideas to enjoy pulled pork all week long!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks!
Toni says
This is such a great idea for busy nights!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you, I agree!
Ashley F says
I am loving all of the meals that you can get out of this
foodtasticmom says
Thank you so much!
Sandra says
How timely to find this site. I just cooked a ten-pound butt and was wanting something yummy to do with it. Now I have multiple ideas. Thanks!
foodtasticmom says
Glad to hear this. Enjoy!