Get ready to experience a mouthwatering culinary adventure that combines the smoky richness of BBQ pulled pork with the sweet, creamy goodness of perfectly baked sweet potatoes! This recipe isn't just a meal - it's a flavor explosion that will have your taste buds dancing and your dinner guests begging for seconds. Imagine tender, slow-cooked pulled pork nestled atop a perfectly roasted sweet potato, topped with a sprinkle of fresh green onions - it's comfort food elevated to an art form that's both impressive and incredibly delicious.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pork shoulder by trimming excess fat and generously seasoning with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Place the seasoned pork shoulder in a slow cooker and sprinkle diced onions around and over the meat.
- Pour 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce over the pork, ensuring it's evenly coated. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours until the meat is tender and easily shreds.
- About 1 hour before the pork is done, preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Wash sweet potatoes thoroughly and pierce several times with a fork. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake sweet potatoes for 45-60 minutes until they are soft and can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Once pork is cooked, remove from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Mix with remaining BBQ sauce.
- Split baked sweet potatoes lengthwise and fluff the interior with a fork.
- Top each sweet potato generously with pulled pork and sprinkle chopped green onions over the top.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your loaded BBQ pulled pork sweet potatoes.
Tips
- Choose a well-marbled pork shoulder for maximum tenderness and flavor. The fat helps keep the meat juicy during the long, slow cooking process.
- Don't rush the slow cooking - low and slow is the key to achieving melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork. Cooking for the full 6 hours allows the meat to become incredibly tender.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a dry rub to the pork shoulder before cooking, or experiment with different types of BBQ sauce to customize the taste.
- When baking sweet potatoes, use a fork to check doneness - they should be soft and easily pierced throughout.
- For a crispy potato skin, rub the sweet potatoes with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt before baking.
- If you're short on time, you can use pre-cooked pulled pork or even rotisserie chicken as a quick alternative.
- Leftovers can be stored separately and reheated, making this a great meal prep option for busy weeknights.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 120mg
