By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on October 3, 2026
Serves 8
546 cal · 420 min
Easy Pulled Pork Cabbage Cups
Recipe GLPRe82035864da7f8
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Average rating: 4.3 (1)
Tender, juicy pulled pork flavored with a savory starter sauce, nestled in crisp napa cabbage leaves and topped with fresh radishes and jalapeño slices. This low-carb, make-ahead main course is perfect for entertaining or casual weeknight dinners.
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Ingredients
3½ lb Boneless pork shoulder
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp Vegetable oil
1 jar Pulled pork starter sauce
1 head Napa cabbage head, leaves separated
4 medium Radishes, thinly sliced
2 medium Jalapeño chiles, thinly sliced
Directions
Generously season the pork shoulder on all sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper, pressing the seasonings gently into the meat.
Heat the vegetable oil in a 7-quart slow cooker on the browning setting until the oil shimmers and nearly smokes. Carefully place the seasoned pork into the hot oil and brown it well on all sides, about 7 to 8 minutes total, turning as needed for even browning.
Pour the pulled pork starter sauce over the browned pork. Cover the slow cooker and set to the low setting. Cook for 6½ to 7 hours, or until the meat is completely fork-tender and breaks apart easily.
Carefully transfer the cooked pork to a large bowl. Skim away any excess fat from the cooking liquid in the slow cooker and reserve the sauce.
Using two forks, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, discarding any remaining excess fat. Stir the shredded pork with the reserved sauce. If desired for more moisture, add up to ½ cup water to achieve your preferred consistency.
To serve, place a spoonful of the pulled pork mixture onto each napa cabbage leaf, then top with a few slices of radish and jalapeño. Arrange the filled cabbage cups on a serving platter and serve immediately.
Comments
Pulled pork shoulder is affordable and available everywhere in Charlotte, but "pulled pork starter" is a mystery ingredient that will send you to a specialty market or online—most Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and Kroger stores don't stock rubs under that name, and you'll waste time hunting or substituting with cumin, paprika, and brown sugar you likely have. The 420-minute time is honest for low-and-slow cooking, but be aware this is not a weeknight dish; plan it for Sunday meal prep. Napa cabbage, radishes, and jalapeños are standard at all major chains year-round, and the per-serving cost lands around $2–$2.50 once you factor in a $12–$15 shoulder. The cups reheat well and feed a family of four as a light main or appetizer platter, though the open-faced format means they're best eaten the same day the pork is pulled.
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