Sweet and Smoky Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Loin

This makes a massive batch of pulled pork that is great for cook-outs, potlucks, parties for a sizable group, or for lunches and dinners with plenty of extras to freeze and reheat. Substitute any other diet soda; the soda is used as a substitute for brown sugar. Dish can be served by itself or 'sloppy joe' style on hamburger buns.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 4 hr
• Total Time: 4 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 148 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
• 3 (1 1/2 pound) pork tenderloins
• 4 cups chopped onions
• 1 (18 ounce) bottle hickory smoke-flavored barbecue sauce
• ½ (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle diet pepper-type soda (such as Diet Dr Pepper®)
• ¼ cup reduced-sodium Worcestershire sauce

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cut each pork tenderloin into 4 pieces and place into a slow cooker; set to High.

Step 2

Stir onions, barbecue sauce, crushed tomatoes, diet soda, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, liquid smoke flavoring, paprika, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl; pour mixture over pork tenderloin pieces. Cover and cook until tenderloin pieces begin to shred at the edges, 3 to 4 hours.

Step 3

Shred meat using 2 forks; reduce slow cooker setting to Low and cook 1 more hour.