Dark Rum-Spiced Caribbean Pulled Pork
Slow-cooked pulled pork infused with dark rum, warming spices, and a tangy tropical glaze for a rich, aromatic main dish. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, dark rum, 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup dark rum, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the 3 lbs pork shoulder on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Step 3: Transfer the pork to a slow cooker and pour the rum-spice mixture over it. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
- Step 4: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the cooking juices before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dark Rum-Spiced Caribbean Pulled Pork 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 Dark Rum-Spiced Caribbean Pulled Pork?
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 Dark Rum-Spiced Caribbean Pulled Pork?
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 Dark Rum-Spiced Caribbean Pulled Pork 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 Dark Rum-Spiced Caribbean Pulled Pork?
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.
