• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
 Trending:  Easy Recipes
Erren's Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Finder
    • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizer
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Side
      • Dessert
      • Drinks
    • Type
      • Quick and Easy
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Soups
      • Salads & Dressings
      • Rice Dishes
      • Comfort Food
      • Slow Cooker
    • Protein
      • Chicken & Poultry
      • Seafood
      • Beef, Pork, & Lamb
    • Cuisine
      • Italian Food
      • Asian Food
      • American
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican Food
      • Southern
    • Method
      • Slow Cooker
      • One Pot/One Pan
      • Oven-Baked and Roasted Recipes
      • Stovetop
    • Desserts
      • Brownies & Bars
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Pies & Tarts
      • Muffins, Breads & Donuts
      • Ice Cream Recipes
  • Videos
  • Conversions
    • US Sticks of Butter Conversion Charts
    • Basic ounces to grams weight conversions
    • Oven Temperature Conversions
    • Butter in the US and the Rest of the World
    • British Dessert Spoon Conversions
    • US Cups to ounces & grams for common ingredients
    • Basic Volume Conversions
  • About
    • Erren’s Kitchen
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Erren
    • Collaborate
    • Life Stories
    • Contact
    • Our Philosophy

Specialties:

Quick & Easy
Italian
Poultry
Better Than Takeout!
Desserts
Meat
Pasta
Home / Beef, Pork & Lamb

Slow Cooker Italian Pulled Pork

This versatile Italian Pulled Pork is a delicious addition to any meal from pasta to sandwiches.

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

04/14/2021
4.59 from 24 votes
Jump to Recipe
Serves: 6 people
Prep: 15 minutes mins
Cook: 8 hours hrs
a bowl of Italian pulled pork
an Italian pulled pork sandwich with mozzarella
a bowl of Italian pulled pork
An Italian pulled pork sandwich on a plate cut in half

This site runs ads and generates income from affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This slow cooker recipe for Italian Pulled Pork can be served in a sandwich smothered in Mozzarella or with pasta – either way, it’s one fantastic dish!

a bowl of Italian pulled pork
Pin This Recipe For Later!

Everybody loves pork, but why is it such underrated meat in the kitchen? Even on this blog, pork has seemingly taken a back seat to the likes of chicken, and beef! But this shouldn’t be the case. I particularly love Pan-Seared Brined Pork Chops, but this recipe is on another level.

Pork offers immense flavor and dimension into a dish, and to show you, I’ve prepared an amazingly delicious Italian Pulled Pork recipe.  After trying this dish, you’ll be seeing a lot more pork on this site because I am truly blown away!

Why This Recipe Works

  • Slow cooking the pork ensures it is juicy and pulls apart easily.
  • Italian flavors give this pulled pork recipe a twist that can’t be beat
  • Adding wine to the dish gives it a rich and delicious taste that’s on another level.

How to make Slow cooker italian pulled pork

  1. Saute the onion and garlic.
  2. Mix the tomato paste and wine, simmer.
  3. Place the pork into the slow cooker.
  4. Add tomatoes, basil, and parsley to the wine mixture.
  5. Pour over the pork and cook for 8 hours.
  6. Pull the pork apart and assemble your sandwich.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

Pulled pork is extraordinarily popular.  Let’s be honest here, pulled pork is the new bacon when it comes to additions to sandwiches, salads, and even eggs.  My go-to choice when it comes to pork? I like using Smithfield Boneless Pork Shoulder.

Now back to the recipe.  I’m big into Italian food so when we decided to have a Game Day party to celebrate football season being underway, I decided to do a dish I can leave in the slow cooker to cook all day and then serve it up in sandwiches when my guests were ready to eat.

a sandwich with Italian pulled pork

The pork was beautifully tender and the tomato sauce was rich and packed full of flavor.  It was so good, we had it leftover the following day with pasta.  I’m telling you, I have never gotten so many compliments on a meal.  A bowl of Italian pulled porkAs you can see, Smithfield Pork is incredibly versatile that can take on any flavor combination you throw at it! It’s a meat that you can dress up and serve for a fancy dinner, but at the same time, it’s something that you can throw in a slow cooker until it’s melt-in-your-mouth tender and heave it onto a roll for a football party or tailgate. So next time you’re thinking about using chicken, turkey, or beef, you should give pork a fighting chance! You might end up realizing that pork is your new favorite choice of meat!

Other Italian Dishes You’ll Love

  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Pasta Alla Norma
  • Shrimp Alfredo
  • Marinara Sauce
  • Chicken Cacciatore

Rate This Recipe

Click here to leave a star rating!

An Italian pulled pork sandwich on a plate cut in half

Recipe

Slow Cooker Italian Pulled Pork

This versatile Italian Pulled Pork is a delicious addition to any meal from pasta to sandwiches.
4.59 from 24 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 8 hours hrs
Total Time: 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Serves 6 people

Ingredients

  • 1 Smithfield Boneless Pork Shoulder Roast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil (separated)
  • 6 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 28 oz crushed canned tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup wine (red or white whatever your prefer)
  • 2 good handfuls fresh basil (torn)
  • 1 good handful fresh parsley (chopped)
  • extra salt and pepper (to taste)
  • For the Sandwich:
  • Italian bread
  • mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until softened.
  • Add the garlic and cook another minute.
  • Dilute the tomato paste in the wine. Increase the heat, stir in the diluted tomato paste and continue to cook until the volume of the liquid is reduced by one-third.
  • Add the pork to the slow cooker (whole with the netting removed)
  • Once the diluted wine has reduced, add the tomatoes, basil, and parsley to the wine mixture. Season with salt and black pepper and stir well.
  • Bring to the boil, then cover the pork with the sauce by ladling it into the slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Remove the pork to a cutting board and using two forks pull the pork apart.
  • To make the sandwich.
  • Pile Italian bread high with the pulled pork. Cover with a little of the sauce and then with shredded mozzarella cheese
  • and place under the broiler until the cheese has melted.
Show Nutrition Hide Nutrition

Nutrition

Calories: 541 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 566mg | Potassium: 712mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 5.4mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2.9mg
Created by Erren Hart
Save to favoritesYour saved recipes will be right here waiting for you every time you visit, so you can easily find and make the meals you love.

*This is a Sponsored post from Smithfield*

4.59 from 24 votes (16 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:




43 responses

  1. Auggie. G Avatar
    Auggie. G
    04/15/2023

    is the wine absolutely necessary or could it be left out or even substituted out for something else?

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      04/18/2023

      The wine in the pulled pork recipe adds a depth of flavor to the dish, but it is not absolutely necessary. If you prefer not to use wine, you could substitute it with chicken or beef broth, apple cider vinegar, or even beer. Just keep in mind that it will change the dish’s flavor profile slightly.

      Reply
  2. Gemma Avatar
    Gemma
    05/22/2022

    Erren, I wrote earlier about the Italian Pulled Pork, I don’t think I gave it stars; we hadn’t eaten it yet – please add 5. We just ate it in a toasted French baguette with melted mozzarella and it really tasted exceptional. Thanks, Gemma

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      05/23/2022

      How lovely of you to come back to rate it! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Gemma!

      Reply
  3. Gemma Avatar
    Gemma
    05/22/2022

    Have the slow cooker on low for not even a half hour and your recipe smells delicious already!! We’re watching the Formula 1 Race at this moment and cannot be more happy and looking forward to eating in 7 1/2 more hours. Thanks Erren!!

    Reply
  4. Andy Avatar
    Andy
    03/26/2022

    Love the idea–this is like a pulled pork ragu. I’ll be trying this out in a dutch oven this weekend. Can you recommend a pickle/crunch component to go in the sammich?

    Reply
    1. Erren Hart Avatar
      Erren Hart
      03/27/2022

      Hi Andy, Tomato sauce is pretty ascitic so I would choose something that’s on the sweeter side to counterbalance it. Hope this helps.

      Reply
←Older Comments
1 2 3
A woman with long dark hair and a dark blue shirt is smiling while leaning on a kitchen counter. In front of her are a plate of pasta and a cutting board with chopped herbs. A potted plant, a cooking pot, and a marble backsplash are in the background.

Welcome

Thank you for visiting Erren’s Kitchen! Here you will find a collection of easy & delicious recipes made with fresh, simple ingredients.

MORE ABOUT ERREN

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL!

Don’t forget to tag me on social @ErrensKitchen to be featured!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X

Trending


  • Best EVER Potato Wedges

    Best EVER Potato Wedges

  • Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

    Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

  • The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

    The Best Fettuccine Alfredo of Your Life

  • Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

    Easy Homemade Tomato Sauce

  • Award Winning Banana Bread

    Award Winning Banana Bread

  • Crispy Roasted Potatoes

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Reader Favorites


  • Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

    The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

  • Ultimate Orange Cake

    Ultimate Orange Cake

  • Fudgy Chocolate Chip Brownies

    Fudgy Chocolate Chip Brownies

Quick
Desserts
Dinner
Comforts
Poultry
Pasta
Meat
Seafood
Sides

Favorite Recipes from 2024

These posts were seen over 4.5 million times!

  • The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

    The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life

  • Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

    Seriously, The Best Broccoli of Your Life

  • Quick & Easy Chinese Noodle Soup

    Quick & Easy Chinese Noodle Soup

  • Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

    Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

  • Donut Glaze Recipe

    Donut Glaze Recipe

  • Crispy Roasted Potatoes

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes

Still hungry?

Subscribe to my Newsletter for all my latest recipes!

All Recipes
Dinner Ideas
Conversion Guide
Quick & Easy
Erren hart of Erren's Kitchen leaning on a kitchen island.

About your Chef

I’m Erren, I have a passion for cooking and baking from scratch to create simple, nourishing, delicious recipes made with fresh ingredients, free from artificial additives and preservatives you find in prepackaged foods.

Meet Erren
Life Updates
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • X
Contact
Work with Me
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

© All Rights Reserved. Brand by MRD. Site by OC.

8.3K shares
  • 601

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.