Healthy Slow Cooker Pork Loin

Healthy Pulled Pork

This Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork recipe is a perfect easy, filling weeknight dinner. Made in the slow cooker with only a few ingredients, it's low in fat, packed with protein, and paleo / Whole30 approved!

Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork in a white dish with roasted potatoes and broccoli off to the side

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Warning: You're going to want to eat this Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork for dinner almost EVERY week once you try it!

Partially because it's one of the easiest recipes ever, but also because it's super delicious! This healthy pulled pork only requires 10 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time.

The crockpot does the rest of the work for you to make the tastiest pulled pork with minimal effort and maximum flavor!

A few months ago I was in a total dinner rut!

I was so bored with everything that I was finding on Pinterest, totally sick of all my favorite recipes that I had found and saved over the years… and just plain didn't want to cook.

Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork in a slow cooker base on a grey background

If you're looking for other slow cooker recipes – check out these 28 Delicious Paleo Crockpot Recipes.

Then this pulled pork came into my life, and it has hands down been my favorite thing to make for dinner. Mostly because it requires so little work, which is perfect!

P.S. – If you love crockpot recipes, check out these 45 Healthy Crockpot Recipes!

What makes this pulled pork healthy?

We love this pulled pork for so many reasons! This recipe takes about 10 minutes to pull together (a little longer if you roast up potatoes) + but here are some other reasons why we love it:

Low fat – Traditionally pulled pork is made with pork shoulder or pork butt which is higher in fat. We use pork tenderloins in this recipe which are much leaner!
High Protein – This recipe is pure protein! 41g per serving!
Low sugar BBQ sauce –We recommend you use a low or no sugar BBQ sauce to keep this low carb. So many BBQ sauces are high in sugar and honestly.. you don't need all that sugar!

It's also paleo, whole30 friendly, gluten free, sugar free, and dairy free. Most importantly it's DELICIOUS. Cause that's what really matters, right?

Ingredients for Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork:

To make pulled pork you'll need:

pork tenderloins
olive oil
paprika, garlic powder, pepper, onion powder, cinnamon, ginger
chicken broth
BBQ sauce

Ingredients for healthy pulled pork in small white bowls on a grey background

I really love topping this with Tessemae's Barbecue Sauce. It's paleo/Whole30 friendly, but it also tastes amazing! I hate when BBQ spices are too sweet, or too smoky.

You can get it right on amazon with this link. This is a must make if you're doing a Whole30, but it's also an awesome healthier, leaner version of a meal that everyone loves!

How to make healthy crockpot pulled pork:

Cooking healthy pulled pork is very easy. The key is the spices!

Get your spices + other ingredients.
Whisk together your olive oil+ spices.
Marinate your pork tenderloin.
When you're ready to cook. Put it in the crockpot with chicken stock. Allow it to cook low + slow.
When it's cooked, shred with forks or a mixer.
Toss with barbecue sauce & enjoy!

Marinade for healthy slow cooker pulled pork mixed together in a measuring cup on a grey background

Two pork tenderloins in the crockpot before being cooked for healthy pulled pork

Do you need to use pork tenderloins for this?

I prefer to use pork tenderloins in this recipe because they tend to be less fatty and very lean. You could also use a pork shoulder or pork butt if you prefer!

the best slow cooker Pulled Pork in a bowl with potatoes and broccoli with BBQ sauce and a crockpot off to the side

Can you make pulled pork in the instant pot?

Yes you totally can! This pulled pork is much better if you make it in the crockpot, but you can make it in the instant pot. Follow all the instructions for marinating. When you're ready to cook – get instant pot to Sealing, Pressure Cook for 18 minutes.

When the instant pot is done, allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 15 minutes, then quick release. It's better if you can naturally release the pressure completely because it keeps the pork super tender.

Substitutions for healthy pulled pork:

This recipe is pretty straight forward but there are a few substitutions you can easily make!

Pork – You can use pork shoulder or butt for this recipe, but i prefer the pork tenderloins because they are so lean. Chicken will also work with this recipe!

Liquid Smoke – You can add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the marinade if you're looking for that smoky flavor!

Chicken– If you don't eat pork you can use chicken breasts for this!

Spices – Feel free to change up the spices in this recipe or use your favorite BBQ rub

Oil – Avocado oil will work in this recipe in place of olive oil.

Instant Pot: You can also make this recipe in the instant pot. See below for instructions in the recipe!

BBQ Sauce: Any BBQ sauce will work great on this pulled pork but make sure to read your ingredients if you're strict paleo/whole30

A close up of Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork on a white dish

Do you need to use barbecue sauce in this recipe?

You could leave the barbecue sauce off this recipe, but I love adding Tessemae's BBQ Sauce to it for extra flavor and to keep it moist.

Just be careful with the barbecue sauce you use because many of them have tons of added sugars and funky ingredients.

Pulled Pork FAQ:

Do you put liquid in slow cooker for pulled pork?

Yes, you need to put liquid in the slow cooker for pulled pork. The liquid helps to essentially steam the pork which results in juicy, flavorful pulled pork.

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?

The best cut of meat for pulled pork is pork butt or pork shoulder, but I like to use pork tenderloins because they are lean and low in fat.

What can I use instead of pork shoulder for pulled pork?

The best cut of pork for pulled pork is pork shoulder or butt. The fat helps the meat get super tender. However, we love to use pork tenderloin for pulled pork. Pork chops will also work!

Is it OK to use pork loin for pulled pork?

Absolutely! Pork loin or pork tenderloins can make great pulled pork. The key is cooking them low an slow because they are a leaner cut of meat.

Why is my crock pot pulled pork tough?

Your crockpot pulled pork might be tough because you didn't cook it for long enough. Pork really needs 6-8 hours (or longer depending on the cut) to make sure that the meat breaks down. Try to keep your crockpot set on low vs the high setting to avoid getting tough pulled pork.

How do you keep pulled pork moist in a crock pot?

To keep pulled pork moist in the crockpot make sure there is enough liquid and avoid using the high heat setting. You can always add more liquid and the pork will soak up the juices. Beef or chicken broth will add the most flavor.

How to serve this Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork:

We love to serve this recipe with Crispy Roasted Potatoes and Healthy Green Beans Almondine. You can also serve them on a slider, or with some of our other veggie side dishes

Corn Tomato Avocado Salad
Garlic Rosemary Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Crispy Garlic Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Rosemary Spiralized Potatoes
Crispy Dijon Roasted Potatoes
Healthy Lemon Parmesan Roasted Asparagus

Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork

Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork is a perfect easy, filling weeknight dinner. It's low in fat, packed with protein, and paleo / Whole30 approved!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword healthy pulled pork recipe, slow cooker pulled pork

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes

Servings 6 people

Calories 346 kcal

WW Freestyle Points 7

Crockpot Instructions:

Clean off 'silver skin' from pork tenderloin. (This is optional, but recommended to keep it lean)
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil + spices. Marinate pork in olive oil + spices overnight if possible in a ziploc bag, otherwise place tenderloins in crockpot and cover with oil/spice marinade. Make sure all areas of the pork have some marinade on them.
Pour chicken stock on top of marinated tenderloins.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours in the crockpot or high for 4-6 hours.
When finished cooking, use tongs or a fork to pull the tenderloins apart (it will fall apart!). Allow the juices to soak into the pulled pork.
Toss with your favorite barbecue sauce + enjoy!

Instant Pot Instructions:

Clean off 'silver skin' from pork tenderloin. (This is optional, but recommended to keep it lean). Cut pork tenderloin into 5-6 inch sections. You can leave the tenderloins whole, but it will take longer to come to pressure.
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil + spices. Marinate pork in olive oil + spices overnight if possible in a ziploc bag, otherwise place tenderloins in instant pot and cover with oil/spice marinade. Make sure all areas of the pork have some marinade on them.
Pour chicken stock on top of marinated tenderloins. **Important Note** Add an extra cup of chicken stock or water. The instant pot requires more liquid.
Set instant pot to Sealing, Pressure Cook for 18 minutes. When instant pot is done, allow the pressure to naturally release for at least 15 minutes, then quick release.
When finished cooking, use tongs or a fork to pull the tenderloins apart (it will fall apart!). Allow the juices to soak into the pulled pork.
Toss with your favorite barbecue sauce + enjoy!

I prefer to use pork tenderloins in this recipe because they tend to be less fatty and very lean. You could also use a pork shoulder or pork butt if you prefer!
You can marinate this pork ahead of time for up to 24 hours for even more flavor

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork

Amount Per Serving (6.5 oz (approx))

Calories 346 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g 20%

Saturated Fat 2g 13%

Cholesterol 124mg 41%

Sodium 404mg 18%

Potassium 893mg 26%

Carbohydrates 13g 4%

Sugar 8g 9%

Protein 41g 82%

Vitamin A 630IU 13%

Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%

Calcium 20mg 2%

Iron 2.5mg 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients