Herb-Rubbed Whole30 Pulled Pork
Fall-apart pork shoulder infused with rosemary and thyme, slow-cooked to tender perfection for easy weeknight meals. This american-inspired slow cooker (dairy-free) ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, finely chopped fresh rosemary for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh thyme
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then rub 1 tbsp olive oil over all surfaces.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp chopped rosemary, 1 tbsp chopped thyme, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Press this mixture evenly over the pork shoulder.
- Step 3: Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker, add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp coconut aminos around the edges.
- Step 4: Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 5 hours until the pork pulls apart easily with a fork.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Rubbed Whole30 Pulled Pork take to make?
Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Herb-Rubbed Whole30 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 Herb-Rubbed Whole30 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 Herb-Rubbed Whole30 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.
Is Herb-Rubbed Whole30 Pulled Pork dairy-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.