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eating Vietnamese Caramelized Pork in green bowl with chopsticks
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Slow Cooker Asian Pork (Caramelized Pork)

Asian Caramel Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is crazy tender smothered in the most addicting savory, sweet and spicy sauce infused with coconut milk, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, fish sauce, sriracha, ginger and garlic. You will be licking your plate -  and the slow cooker. 
Cuisine Asian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 -10 servings

Ingredients

  • 4-5 lbs. pork shoulder/pork butt trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Wet Rub

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seed oil
  • 2 tablespoons ginger powder (sounds like a lot but it's amazing)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tsp EACH salt, onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Slow Cooker Sauce

Caramel Sauce

  • 1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • Lightly spray a 6 qt + slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Whisk together all of the Wet Spice Rub ingredients together in a medium bowl then massage it evenly all over the pork. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over high heat in a large cast iron skillet. Using tongs or 2 forks, sear pork on all sides until lightly browned. Place pork in prepared slow cooker.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together Slow Cooker Sauce ingredients (not Caramel Sauce) and pour all over pork.
  • Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours OR until pork is fall apart tender and easily shreds with a fork. At this point, remove pork to a cutting board until it is cool enough to shred.
  • Meanwhile, remove all of the sauce left in the slow cooker to a measuring cup. If there is less than 2 ½ cups then add enough water to equal 2 ½ cup. Set aside. You can add shredded pork back to the slow cooker now that you have removed the sauce.
  • To make the Caramel Sauce, add brown sugar and water to large skillet and boil over medium heat for 1 minute, whisking constantly. Don't overcook or it will harden! Slowly whisk in the 2 ½ cups Slow Cooker Sauce and simmer over medium high heat, whisking constantly until reduced and thickened, approximately 7-10 minutes. Pour desired amount of Caramel Sauce over shredded pork and toss until evenly coated with a spatula. Add additional sriracha for spicier if desired.
  • Serve with rice/veggies/etc. and my Slow Cooker Caramel Pork Tacos with Pineapple Snow Pea Slaw are coming soon!

Notes

OVEN:  Tightly cover and bake at 425 F for 30 minutes then reduce the temperature to 325 F and continue to roast for an additional 5-6 hours or until super tender. Check the pork the last couple hours of cooking to make sure there is still liquid and add a little coconut milk if needed.