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pulled pork meal prep bowls copycat Recipe

Pulled Pork Meal Prep Bowls Recipe

Before diving into the magic of pulled pork meal prep bowls, let’s chat about fantastic pairings. You can elevate your meal prep with delicious sides and toppings that perfectly complement that savory pulled pork.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 491
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pork:
  • 2 ½ – 3 lb. boneless pork shoulder or Boston butt patted dry
  • 1 small yellow onion thinly sliced (about 1 heaping cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1½ cups 12 ounces BBQ sauce of your favorite variety
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional, for added depth of flavor
  • Fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
For the Slaw:
  • 1 10-12 ounce bag coleslaw mix (about 4 cups)
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced (reserve 2 tablespoons of green parts for garnish)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice from 1 large lime
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Pinch of smoked chipotle powder or cayenne pepper optional
  • ¼ – ½ teaspoon fine salt or to taste
  • 1 small jalapeño finely diced (optional, for a gentle heat kick)
For the Bowls:
  • 6 cups cooked rice from 2 cups uncooked
  • Pickles or sliced jalapeños
  • Reserved sliced green onions
  • Additional BBQ sauce for drizzling

Equipment

  • Large skillets
  • Paper towel

Method
 

Step 1: Season the Pork
  1. Start by patting the pork dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a better sear. Season it generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Sear the Pork
  1. In a large skillet, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides until golden brown. This step is crucial for locking in flavor. Transfer the pork to a slow cooker.
Step 3: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker
  1. In the slow cooker with the pork, add sliced onions, minced garlic, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar. You can toss in the smoked paprika here, too, if you’re using it.
Step 4: Cook the Pork
  1. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for about 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the pork is fork-tender. The kitchen will fill with an appetizing aroma.
Step 5: Make the Slaw
  1. While the pork cooks, prepare the slaw. In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, chopped cilantro, and green onions. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, apple cider vinegar, avocado oil, honey, cumin, smoked chipotle powder, and salt. Pour the dressing over the slaw and gently toss to combine.
Step 6: Shred the Pork
  1. Once the pork is fully cooked, shred it using two forks. You’re looking for tender strands that have soaked up all that incredible BBQ flavor.
Step 7: Assemble the Bowls
  1. Divide the cooked rice between your meal prep containers. Top with a generous portion of pulled pork and finish off with a scoop of slaw.
Step 8: Add Garnishes
  1. Consider topping your bowls with pickles, sliced jalapeños, or extra BBQ sauce. Save some green onion slices for garnish!

Nutrition

Serving: 244gCalories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 32gFat: 31.4gSaturated Fat: 9.1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 348mgFiber: 13gSugar: 5g

Notes

  • Batch Cooking: Consider making double the amount of pork so that you have leftovers for sandwiches or tacos.
  • Experiment with Sauces: Trying different barbecue sauces can completely change the flavor profile. Explore regional sauces—there’s a whole world out there!
  • Zest Up the Slaw: Adding fruits such as mango or apple to the slaw will provide extra sweetness and texture—why not live a little?
  • Prep Your Rice: Use a rice cooker for perfectly cooked rice every time. You can also swap rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
  • Storage Containers: Invest in good-quality meal prep containers with separate compartments to keep your ingredients fresh and prevent sogginess.

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