Looking for an easier, faster way to get dinner on the table?
Pork roast may be the answer you’ve been searching for.
With a little bit of prep, you’ll have a quick protein option to reach for throughout the week. The best part about this ‘meal prep’ option is its versatility. You won’t be stuck eating the same thing every day like with traditional meal prep.
I’ve provided more than 5 different ways you can serve pork roast below.
Keep reading to see all the different ways you can use pulled pork during the week for quick, easy, nutritious meals.
Make pulled pork one of two ways:
Classic BBQ Pulled Pork
- Onion
- BBQ sauce (about 1/2 cup per pound)
- Splash of Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cinnamon
Apple Pork Roast
- Onion
- 1 apple, diced
- Splash of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 cup apple jelly
- 1/4 cup honey
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
Peel and quarter an onion. Sear it in a dutch oven over medium heat until browned. Remove from pan. Season pork butt all over with salt and pepper. Sear until browned. Turn off heat. Nestle the rest of the ingredients, either for classic BBQ pulled pork or apple pork roast, around your roast. Pour over sauces. Add water until it reaches halfway up your roast.
Cover and cook in 300°F oven, 1 hour per pound. (For a 2lb roast, cook for 2 hours. For a 10lb roast, cook for at least 6 hours. Check to see if meat shreds at this point.)
Alternatively, you can cook your roast in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours. I still highly recommend searing your roast and onion first. It adds so much flavour.
Once meat is fully cooked, shred it with two forks, or in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Store in the fridge to use throughout the week.
Use it all week in a variety of dishes.
Tips for the Best Pork Roast
- Soak your roast overnight in the fridge in a mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and water. You can add additional spices for flavour if you wish. I usually do a 1:4 ratio of vinegar to water. Pork was traditionally cured before eating to increase it’s shelf life and improve flavour. Studies have shown that uncured pork has undesirable effects on the blood. Simply soaking it in an acidic medium overnight mitigates these. Click the link to read more about this, it’s fascinating!
- Sear your pork before roasting in the oven. Cooking the outside of the meat at high heat before roasting it low and slow seals in flavours and moisture.
Meal Ideas
Pulled pork sandwiches: Add extra barbecue and serve on buns topped with your favourite toppings. We love pickles, pickled onions and a slice of cheese.
Loaded nachos: Preheat oven to 425. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread with tortilla chips. Top with cheese, pulled pork, olives, jalapenos, corn, and any other toppings you love. Drizzle with BBQ. Bake until the cheese melts, 8-10 minutes. Top with pickled onions, cilantro, and any other topping that shouldn’t be baked (think lettuce, herbs). Best eaten as soon as they come out as they tend to get soggy.
Empanadas: Stuff empanadas with pork. You can find Goya empanada shells in most groceries. Or, make your own.
Tacos: Use pulled pork as the protein base to make street tacos. Add your favourite toppings. We love BBQ, a slaw mix, cilantro and pickled onions.
Stuffed Peppers: Mix pulled pork with additional barbecue, corn, black beans, and a bit of salsa. Stuff in parboiled peppers. Top with shredded cheese. Bake until warmed through and cheese is melted, 15 minutes.
Enchiladas: Use in your favorite enchilada recipe.
Loaded baked potatoes/sweet potatoes: Top baked potatoes with pulled pork, cheese, sour cream, green onions and anything else that sounds good to you.
Southwest bake: Saute a diced onion in oven safe pan. Stir in pulled pork, 1 can black beans, drained, corn, 1 can of diced tomatoes and green chilis, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Top with cheddar or Mexican cheese blend. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Serve over rice or with chips and salsa.
Soup: Add to a southwest soup, chili or tortilla soup.
How much should I buy?
It’s usually safe to budget for 1/2 lb of meat per person, per meal. You can use a little less than that in a lot of the meal ideas above. So, to make 4 meals for 2 people, buy a 4lb pork butt.
Save time and money while eating delicious home cooked meals with this hack. And, if you’re sick of pork or made too much? Freeze it in meal sized portions for later. It’s great to have prepped protein on hand to throw into a meal on busy nights. It’s also a great way to prepare for postpartum.
