Whole30 Delight: Slow-Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork with Fresh Coleslaw
Savor the robust flavors of this Whole30 Delight: Slow-Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork served with a refreshing homemade coleslaw. This recipe combines a savory blend of spices and a delicious BBQ sauce crafted from dates and chili, making it perfectly compliant with Whole30 regulations. Ideal for lunch or as a satisfying snack, this dish can be enjoyed as a sandwich or on its own. The coleslaw, featuring crisp cabbage, tart apple, and a creamy Whole30 mayonnaise dressing, adds a delightful crunch and acidity to balance the rich pulled pork. Enjoy a wholesome meal that is both indulgent and healthy.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
32
Ingredients
Ingredients
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons (None)
Paprika
2 tablespoons (None)
Ground black pepper
1 tablespoon (None)
Garlic powder
1 tablespoon (None)
Onion powder
1 tablespoon (None)
Chili powder
1 tablespoon (None)
Ground coriander
1 tablespoon (None)
Ground cumin
1 tablespoon (None)
Ground fennel
1 1/2 teaspoons (None)
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (None)
Boneless pork shoulder
2 lbs (None)
Coconut aminos
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons (None)
Tomato paste
3/4 cup (None)
Apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup (None)
Dijon mustard
1/4 cup (None)
Pitted medjool dates
15 (Soaked for 10-15 minutes in warm water)
Dried arbol chiles
4-6 (Soaked for 10-15 minutes in warm water)
Kosher salt
To taste (None)
Red cabbage
1/2 head (Thinly shredded)
Green cabbage
1/2 head (Thinly shredded)
Fennel bulb
1 small (Cored and julienned)
Fuji apple
1 (Cored and julienned)
Red onion
1/4 cup (Finely chopped)
Fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup (Roughly chopped)
Lemon
1 (Juiced)
Apple cider vinegar (for coleslaw)
2 teaspoons (None)
Whole30 mayonnaise
1/4 cup (Made as per recipe below)
Egg yolks
2 (None)
Dijon mustard (for mayo)
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Lemon juice (for mayo)
1 tablespoon (None)
Garlic clove
1 (Minced)
Canola oil
3/4 cup (None)
Instructions
1
To prepare the pulled pork, begin by combining all the spices in a medium bowl to create a spice rub. Coat the pork shoulder evenly with the rub, and store any excess for later use. For best flavor, allow the pork to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
2
Preheat your oven to 250°F (121°C). Prepare a half-sheet tray by laying down a long piece of aluminum foil, allowing some to hang over the edges. Layer another piece of foil in the opposite direction. Place the marinated pork in the center, drizzle with olive oil, and cover tightly with foil, ensuring the seam is on top.
3
Bake the pork for 3 hours. After this initial cooking time, carefully unveil the pork pack, exposing the top while still keeping the juices inside. Return the pork to the oven and continue cooking for an additional 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and easily shreddable.
4
While the pork is cooking, prepare the BBQ sauce. After soaking, drain the dates and dried chiles. Combine all BBQ sauce ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until serving.
5
Next, make the Whole30 mayonnaise. In another blender, combine the egg yolks, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Blend until smooth, then gradually add the canola oil while blending until it emulsifies into mayonnaise. Season with salt and refrigerate until ready to use.
6
For the coleslaw, mix the shredded red and green cabbage, julienned fennel, apple, red onion, and parsley in a large bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. Fold in the Whole30 mayo until the coleslaw achieves a creamy consistency. Season with salt to taste and chill until serving.
7
To serve, top the shredded pork with 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and place it under the broiler for 4-5 minutes until caramelized. Shred the pork with forks and mix with additional BBQ sauce. Serve with coleslaw and extra BBQ sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recipe name?
The recipe is called Whole30 Delight: Slow-Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork with Fresh Coleslaw.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Is this recipe Whole30 compliant?
Yes, it is specifically designed to be perfectly compliant with Whole30 regulations.
What cut of meat is used for the pulled pork?
The recipe uses 2 lbs of boneless pork shoulder.
What oven temperature is used for slow cooking?
The pork is slow-cooked at a preheated temperature of 250°F (121°C).
How long should the pork marinate?
For best flavor, allow the pork to marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
What is the total estimated cooking time for the pork in the oven?
The total oven cooking time is approximately 5.5 to 6 hours.
How do you wrap the pork for baking?
Prepare a half-sheet tray with two long pieces of aluminum foil layered in opposite directions, place the pork in the center, and cover tightly with the seam on top.
What ingredients are in the pork spice rub?
The rub includes Kosher salt, paprika, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, and ground fennel.
How is the BBQ sauce sweetened without sugar?
The BBQ sauce is sweetened using 15 pitted medjool dates.
What type of chiles are used in the BBQ sauce?
The recipe uses 4-6 dried arbol chiles.
How should the dates and chiles be prepared for the sauce?
They should be soaked for 10-15 minutes in warm water before being drained and blended.
What is the base liquid for the Whole30 BBQ sauce?
The base liquid consists of 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons of coconut aminos and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar.
How do you make the Whole30 mayonnaise?
Blend egg yolks, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and minced garlic, then gradually add canola oil until it emulsifies.
What types of cabbage are used in the coleslaw?
The coleslaw uses 1/2 head of thinly shredded red cabbage and 1/2 head of thinly shredded green cabbage.
What fruit is added to the coleslaw?
One cored and julienned Fuji apple is added to the coleslaw.
Is fennel included in this recipe?
Yes, one small fennel bulb, cored and julienned, is included in the coleslaw.
What herbs are used in the salad?
1/4 cup of roughly chopped fresh parsley leaves is used.
How do you achieve a caramelized finish on the pork?
Top the shredded pork with 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce and place it under the broiler for 4-5 minutes until caramelized.
What is used to shred the meat?
The meat is shredded using forks after it becomes tender from slow-cooking.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe is naturally gluten-free as indicated by the tags.
Is this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, it is dairy-free.
How do you store the homemade BBQ sauce?
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
What type of oil is used in the mayo?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of canola oil for the mayonnaise.
What acidity is used in the coleslaw dressing?
The coleslaw uses both lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.
How much tomato paste is required?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of tomato paste for the BBQ sauce.
Can this dish be served as a sandwich?
Yes, it can be enjoyed as a sandwich or on its own.
What is the preparation for the red onion in the slaw?
The red onion should be finely chopped.
How is the pork initially prepared before baking?
It is coated with a spice rub and drizzled with olive oil.
What makes the coleslaw creamy?
The homemade Whole30 mayonnaise gives the coleslaw its creamy consistency.