Spiced Rum and Pineapple Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Tender pulled pork cooked low and slow with spiced rum and pineapple for a sweet and savory dish with tropical notes. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder (boneless), spiced rum, pineapple juice 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 (boneless)
- 1/2 cup spiced rum
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup for garnish chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Rub this spice blend thoroughly over the entire surface of 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Pour 1/2 cup spiced rum and 1 cup pineapple juice evenly over the pork.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Step 4: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat with the cooking juices.
- Step 5: Serve garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and warm tortillas or rice for a tropical-inspired meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Rum and Pineapple Slow Cooker 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 Spiced Rum and Pineapple Slow Cooker 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 (boneless) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Rum and Pineapple Slow Cooker 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 Spiced Rum and Pineapple Slow Cooker 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 Spiced Rum and Pineapple Slow Cooker 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.
