There’s nothing quite like walking into the kitchen after a long day and being greeted by the aroma of something slow-cooked and heavenly. This brown sugar balsamic pork practically melts on your fork, offering that irresistible mix of sweetness and tang with just the right touch of savory depth. Whether you’re serving it over mashed potatoes or piling it on a soft roll for sandwiches, it’s one of those comforting meals that makes everyone happy around the table.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork shoulder (or pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh if you have it)
Instructions
- Place the pork shoulder in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme until combined.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the pork, coating all sides.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours (or on high for 4 to 5 hours) until the meat is fork-tender and easily shreds apart.
- Remove the pork to a cutting board and shred it with two forks.
- Skim any excess fat from the liquid in the slow cooker, then return the shredded pork and stir it through the warm sauce.
- Serve hot — it’s fantastic over rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or even tucked into soft slider buns.