Tiki-Style Spiced Pulled Pork with Citrus Slaw

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

Slow-cooked pulled pork infused with warm island spices, served alongside a refreshing citrus and cabbage slaw for a bright tiki-inspired meal. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, brown sugar, ground allspice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly over 2 lbs pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder in a slow cooker. Add 4 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
  3. Step 3: While pork cooks, combine 3 cups shredded cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrot in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tbsp olive oil until emulsified.
  4. Step 4: Toss the cabbage and carrot with the lime dressing until well coated; season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  5. Step 5: When pork is done, shred it with two forks directly in the slow cooker liquid to keep it moist. Serve generous portions of pulled pork topped with the citrus slaw.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tiki-Style Spiced Pulled Pork with Citrus Slaw 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 Tiki-Style Spiced Pulled Pork with Citrus Slaw?

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 Tiki-Style Spiced Pulled Pork with Citrus Slaw?

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 Tiki-Style Spiced Pulled Pork with Citrus Slaw 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 Tiki-Style Spiced Pulled Pork with Citrus Slaw?

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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