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Flavorful New Years Pulled Pork Dinner Bowl Recipe for Easy Homemade Salad

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A comforting and fresh pulled pork dinner bowl featuring tender smoky pork paired with a crisp, zesty salad, perfect for New Year’s celebrations or any cozy family meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder or pork butt, trimmed of excess fat
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup (120 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water or chicken broth
  • 4 cups mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, romaine)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cucumber, thinly sliced
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (for dressing)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: crumbled feta or cotija cheese, toasted pumpkin seeds or crushed tortilla chips, hot sauce or salsa

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mix evenly all over the pork.
  2. Optional: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  3. Transfer the pork to a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Pour apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and water or chicken broth around the pork. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until pork is fall-apart tender.
  4. Remove the pork and shred it using two forks, discarding large pieces of fat. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix with cooking juices to keep moist.
  5. Rinse and dry salad greens. In a large bowl, combine greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.
  6. Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour over salad and toss gently to combine.
  7. Assemble dinner bowls by scooping pulled pork into each bowl, topping with salad, optional toppings like cheese or seeds, and hot sauce if desired.

Notes

Searing the pork before slow cooking adds flavor and texture. Keep the cooking juices when shredding pork to maintain moisture. Prepare salad fresh to keep crispness. The dish can be made ahead by shredding pork the day before and reheating gently. Use organic greens if possible for best freshness. For gluten-free, verify spices and broth labels. Variations include using shredded chicken or turkey, seasonal salad swaps, and different sauces.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, dinner bowl, salad, New Years recipe, easy pulled pork, slow cooker, fresh salad, smoky pork, family meal

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