Sweet and Spicy Pork Shoulder with Sesame Cucumbers
User Reviews
5
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Total Time
8 hrs
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Servings
4 to 6
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Sweet and Spicy Pork Shoulder with Sesame Cucumbers
Description
The Sweet and Spicy Pork Shoulder is first seared on all sides to develop a golden crust, then slow cooked in a sauce combining low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, chili garlic paste, and hoisin sauce for 8 to 10 hours until the meat becomes fall-apart tender. After shredding, the pork absorbs the flavorful sauce for a balanced sweet and spicy profile.
The sesame cucumbers are made by thinly slicing seedless cucumber and tossing it with a dressing of rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, chili garlic paste, salt, pepper, and toasted sesame seeds. This salad adds a cooling and crunchy accompaniment that offsets the richness and heat of the pork.
Serve the shredded pork and sesame cucumbers with jasmine rice. Additional drizzle of toasted sesame oil and chili garlic paste can enhance the flavors further. The interplay between spicy, sweet, savory pork and the crisp, tangy cucumbers creates a satisfying main course.
This recipe is adapted from Real Simple, emphasizing slow cooking for tender meat and quick assembly of the cucumber salad to retain freshness.
Ingredients
- 1 pork shoulder 3 to 4 pound
- salt to season
- black pepper to season
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup soy sauce low-sodium
- 1/3 cup brown sugar loosely packed
- 1/4 cup chili garlic paste
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- sesame oil for drizzling, toasted
sesame cucumbers
- 1 cucumber thinly sliced (I like to use the mandolin for this, seedless
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil toasted
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste
- salt for sprinkling
- black pepper for sprinkling
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Season the pork shoulder with the salt and pepper, then place it in the skillet. Sear on all sides until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Turn off the heat.
- In the bottom of your slow cooker, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, chili garlic paste and hoisin sauce. Add the pork shoulder and cover. Cook for 8 to 10 hours on low. Once finished, the pork should fall apart with a fork. Shred it well (removing any bones/fat/etc) and toss in the chili garlic mixture.
- Serve with jasmine rice and the sesame cucumbers. Drizzle on toasted sesame oil and serve with more chili garlic paste.
Sesame cucumbers:
- Place the cucumber slices in a bowl. Whisk together the vinegar, sesame oil and chili garlic paste. Pour over the cucumbers and toss well to coat. Season with the salt and pepper, then sprinkle on the sesame seeds.
Notes
- Slow cook the pork shoulder for 8 to 10 hours on low to achieve tender, shred-able meat.
- Using toasted sesame oil in the cucumber salad adds a nutty flavor that complements the pork.
- Thinly slice cucumbers with a mandoline for consistent texture and quick dressing absorption.
- Serve with jasmine rice to balance the hearty pork and refreshing salad.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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