Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork BBQ

I love making my own sauces, but the problem is when I make a sauce, I'm very much a "little bit of this, little bit of that, little bit more of this" type person. I taste and taste and taste and adjust and by the end of it, I can only guess what my ingredient ratios are. So, my disclaimer is this is my best guess-timate of my delicious pulled pork BBQ recipe. Everybody's tastes are different, so you may need to adjust according to your tastes regardless. Enjoy this comfort food dish!

When I was first reading about the best way to make pulled pork, there was much debate on whether pork butt roast or pork tenderloin should be used. Well, I have tried both and I must say the pork tenderloin was much better, much leaner, much tastier.


What you need:
About 2 lbs pork tenderloin (or two whole pork tenderloins)
1-1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 large onion, sliced

The Rub:
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp ground all spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

What you do:
1. Cut each pork tenderloin into 3-4 large, equal-sized chunks.
2. Combine all the rub ingredients and using hands, rub all sides of pork tenderloin chunks with spice rub. There should be rub remaining, and if so, set aside to add to sauce.
3. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once skillet is hot, sear pork tenderloin for several minutes on each side. Add seared tenderloin chunks to slow cooker.
4. Combine all sauce ingredients (ketchup through vinegar) and remaining rub. Add onions into slow cooker. Pour sauce on top and turn ingredients to coat.
5. Cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. Remove tenderloin chunks and shred by gently pulling apart with fork and knife. Pork should pull easily, and if not, requires additional cook time. Return pulled pork to slow-cooker and allow to simmer in sauce for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.