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
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
