Juicy Asian Oven-Roasted Pulled Pork
This popular Asian oven pulled pork recipe is a favorite for tacos, sliders and burritos. The juicy pulled pork is irresistible. It’s been a favorite recipe since we first published it in 2014.
Favorite Pulled Pork Recipe
This is the unabashed, meat-lovers edition of pork. Apologies if the photo is an abrupt, in-your-face visual of juicy and saucy pork in its entirety. In fact, there’s no scattering of pretty garnish nor greens nor linen-pretty. It’s a delicious and amazing pulled pork dish and that’s pretty much all we wanted to share with you. Sometimes it’s more effective to just past all the words and give you a taste of the recipe as soon as possible. The pulled pork is so amazing, we decided to get past all the fuss and get straight to the point. And here’s the point: make this as soon as you can.
Video: Making the Juicy Asian Oven Pulled Pork Recipe:
Flavorful Asian Oven Pulled Pork – Umami Blast
A few weeks ago we found some frozen pork shoulder in the freezer (surprise!) and needed to make something with it before it was forgotten again in the dark, abyss of the garage freezer. We went a little crazy with the spices, adding some big punches of flavor to the marinade and sauce. We’re not apologizing for it, but rather, we’re warning you because you’ll be so addicted to the flavor combination of garlic, fish sauce, mustard and sugar that you just might want to use this on some other of your favorite meats.
Don’t be scared of Fish Sauce
Is fish sauce necessary? Yes, we get asked this all the time and fish sauce can be daunting to cook with if you’re new to it. Of course, it has a funky, strong and pungent smell. But when it’s added as part of the marinade, you don’t taste any “fishy” flavors in the end result. What you get is a super delicious, savory and umami flavor that is wonderful and satisfying. Read our article on the Magic of Fish Sauce and our favorite brands.
Still not sure? What about soy sauce or other options instead of fish sauce?
We tried and if you’re still not daring enough to try fish sauce, we understand. If we can’t convince you to use the fish sauce, then here’s some other alternatives to give an “almost” equal amount of umami:
- Soy sauce will definitely still give great depth of flavor.
- Liquid aminos are another good option for savory umami
- Gluten free tamari has good flavor
- DON’T FORGET SALT! you still must use enough salt to bring out all the flavors. So taste the cooked pork, and if you feel like it still needs “something” then add more salt. If you’re cautious about any fish sauce, then at least use enough salt to season the pork.
How to Serve Our Juicy Asian Oven Pulled Pork
This was the pulled pork recipe that kept on giving. For our first meal, we had pulled pork tacos. Next, indulged in pulled pork over rice. Later, it was pulled pork sliders. Last, with what was leftover, we made a fabulous pulled pork pizza.
It wasn’t until we pigged out on all these juicy pulled pork dishes that we realized just how versatile and wonderful it was. And we’re not tired of it yet, because with Super Bowl next week, we’re already planning some stellar uses for our next batch. And how about you? If you make this asian oven pulled pork and have some new ideas on how to eat it with, let us know. We’re all ears.
Enjoy,
diane and todd
Asian Oven Roasted Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- about 4 pounds (1.8 kg) pork butt or pork shoulder
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 onion , diced
- 5-6 cloves garlic , minced
- 15 oz. (425 g) diced or crushed tomatoes
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) finely grated or minced fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) fish sauce or soy sauce (but fish sauce tastes better! try it) For Gluten Free use Tamari
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) chili garlic sauce or Gluten Free Hot Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) spicy brown mustard
- 1/4 cup (55 g) brown sugar , packed
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) fresh cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350°F/175°C.
- Lightly coat the pork shoulder with oil and season all sides with salt and pepper. Heat large cast iron pan or deep oven proof skillet on medium-high heat.
- Sear each side of the pork shoulder on the hot pan until the pork is brown. About 3 minutes per side. Remove the pork from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet the pork was just removed from, heat over medium heat. Then add oil, onion and garlic. Cook onions and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Add crushed or diced tomatoes, ginger, fish sauce, chili garlic sauce, mustard, brown sugar and black pepper. Stir together until well combined.
- Add the seared pork back into the skillet with the sauce and ladle the tomato sauce mixture over the pork. Cover the pork with aluminum foil.
- Bake the pork at 350°F/175°C for about 4 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork. We like to skim off any excess fat, then shred the pork in the sauce.
- Allow the pork to rest for about 15 minutes before shredding the whole shoulder. Keep foil over the shredded pork to keep it warm before serving.
This is delicious. However…there was no sauce! The sauce cooked down into a dark, unappetizing jam.
I did not cover the roast with foil, but did cook it inside a Dutch oven with the lid on.
Anyone have advice here? I wanted to serve this at a party, but hesitate to try it again.
This is a great recipe! I’ve been making this since they first published it. I don’t have a “normal” or regular type oven so I would always make it in the slow cooker. Now I do it in the Instant Pot, sear it and pressure cook it. No matter how you do it, it’s always delicious. Friends and family always rave about it. And don’t skip the ย fish sauce, you won’t notice it, but as said, it does give it that extra Umami flavor.
This pulled pork is packed with flavor. We made tacos out of this recipe and my family just can’t get enough. Thanks for an awesome recipe.
I made this in a slow cooker on low today and it is so yummy! The sauce is delicious! I used a 3.5 lb shoulder roast and the amount of sauce is perfect for my family. I served it over a rice/quinoa mix with steamed broccoli on the side. Will definitely be making this again and again.
Hi Lilac! Thanks for sharing and so happy it worked great in the slow cooker. Thanks for sharing!