Slow Cooker Filipino Adobo-style Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Put the slow cooker to work and make these delicious Filipino Adobo-style Pulled Pork Sandwiches! Your tastebuds will love the bold flavors of vinegar, garlic and soy sauce in the pulled pork.
Put the slow cooker to work and make these delicious Filipino Adobo-style Pulled Pork Sandwiches! Your tastebuds will love the bold flavors of vinegar, garlic and soy sauce in the pulled pork.
In our little sleepy – but tug-on-your-heartstrings-adorable – town in the suburbs of San Francisco, there is a little village theatre tucked in a tree shaded spot downtown that is home to local productions. It’s a place where my own children have found the magic of the stage capture their hearts, whether they’re on it or in the audience. Actually, they’re usually on that stage, so this weekend, it was a little odd for them to be sitting next to my husband and I to watch a show.
But we did know the performers! The children of one of our dearest and oldest friends are dancers with the American Center of Philippine Arts, and I was so excited to share the beauty of our cultural heritage with my own children. From the romantic, Spanish-influenced dances of the Philippine’s colonial rule, to the spirited dances that speak to celebration and fiesta, to the colorful and mesmerizing dances of the Muslim influenced southern region of the Philippines, the show was not only delightful, but nostalgic.
I was reminded of songs my parents used to sing or play on the piano, and the dances I performed in college. It brought me back to countless rehearsals, and gorgeous costumes, and the pride my own parents had when they would watch me perform.
And I realized this was a big gap in my children’s upbringing and was excited to share more.
Realizing that there is so much more to share was a little sobering, but I am comforted by the fact that when it comes to food, my children have a genuine appreciation for the flavors I love from my heritage. These flavors get reinterpreted often and I love sharing them with you — and these Slow Cooker Filipino Adobo-style Pulled Pork Sandwiches are just another example of how the beloved Adobo style of braising (often chicken or pork) are delicious in so many ways. The slow cooker makes this effortless, the bold flavors of vinegar, garlic and soy sauce make it tasty, and who doesn’t like a pulled pork sandwich? Your tastebuds may even do a little dance.
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MORE FILIPINO RECIPES
Vegetarian Pancit Bihon (Filipino Rice Noodles with Veggies)
Ube Halaya (Filipino Purple Yam Jam)
Coconut Ube Rolls
Cassava Cake
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
MORE PORK RECIPES
Filipino Pork Adobo
Roasted Pork Loin with Apple Chutney
Quinoa Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Adobo-style Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Roast Pork Loin with Balsamic, Dijon & Thyme
Slow Cooker Filipino Adobo-style Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients
For the pulled pork:
- 5-6 lb pork shoulder or pork butt
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small head of garlic finely minced or crushed
- 3/4 cup cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup good quality soy sauce I like Silver Swan
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- pinch or two of cayenne pepper optional
For serving:
- buns
- sliced red cabbage
- jalapeno slices
- Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce
- cilantro
Instructions
- Season the pork shoulder/butt generously with salt and pepper on all sides and place it in the slow cooker. Whisk together the garlic, vinegar and soy sauce and pour it into the slow cooker.
- Cover and set the slow cooker for 10 hours on low (if you are in a rush, you can also try 6 hours on high) or until the pork is fork tender and coming apart. If possible, rotate the pork shoulder once during cooking (this helps, but is not necessary).
- Once cooked, carefully transfer the pork to a cutting board. Shred the pork using two forks, and discard any fat. Stir in about 1/4 cup of the liquid to keep the pork moist.
- Discard bay leaf. Transfer the liquid remaining in the slow cooker into a sauce pan, and stir in the honey and molasses, along with some cayenne pepper. Let it come to a boil, then then lower heat to a simmer, and cook for about 5 minutes. If you have an immersion blender, blend the sauce together to puree the sauce into a smoother consistency if you wish. Adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the sandwiches by placing a layer of cabbage on one half of a bun, top with pulled pork, some sauce, sriracha, jalapeno and cilantro. Top with the other half of the bun and enjoy immediately.
Would this freeze well? Making it right now and realizing how it’s wayyyyy too much for two people.
Hi MJ, yes, it will absolutely freeze well! Hope you enjoyed it!!
This sounds delicious, and I love the twist you’ve added to classic pulled pork. I look forward to trying this soon!
Filipino food is an underrated cuisine … thanks for this recipe, will definitely sample it!
I couldn’t agree more, Andrea – I hope more people grow to appreciate Filipino cuisine!
Sounds like a truly special performance. What a fabulous experience to share with your children. And to be able to share their heritage through food. This is a beautiful thing.
I couldn’t agree more, Brian. Now I really want to take a trip to the Philippines so we can immerse ourselves in all the food and culture!