Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Pineapple

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pulled pork slow-cooked with tropical pineapple and Caribbean spices for a sweet and savory dish. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, fresh pineapple chunks, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 3 lbs pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp ground allspice, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Sear pork on all sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side, then transfer to slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, sauté 1 medium diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves for 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 cup chicken broth. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  3. Step 3: Pour the sauce over the pork in the slow cooker, adding 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks on top. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until pork is tender enough to shred easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce and pineapple. Serve hot with rice or Caribbean-style sides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Pineapple take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Pineapple?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Pineapple?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Pineapple for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Caribbean-Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Pineapple?

Caribbean pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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