This slow cooker balsamic pulled pork is sweet and juicy, served over cheesy polenta and finished with a cilantro‑bright avocado crema. Pure comfort food.
We thought we had sold our house a couple of months ago, so we began selling furniture we weren’t attached to and that wouldn’t fit in the new place. One by one the Craigslist buyers appeared and took things off our hands. Two weeks before the scheduled closing, our home was nearly empty: just a couch, a kitchen table, and the main bedroom and dining sets remained. All the little items were packed; the surfaces where they once sat were bare.
Then the sale fell through.
I’m an all‑or‑nothing person: either in total “don’t care” mode or full throttle, “let’s get this done” mode. I went full throttle re‑furnishing the house, much to my credit card’s dismay. For weeks I scrolled Wayfair and Overstock, then made frequent trips to HomeGoods. The staff started to recognize me; I learned their shipment days and even tried to track the manager’s discount habits — or lack of them.
I ordered a rustic foyer table from Wayfair. When it arrived one drawer was broken in two. Their customer service was great and agreed to send a replacement part. My husband glued the drawer back together temporarily. Tracking later showed the replacement weighed 92 pounds; the next day a whole new table arrived. That new box contained the same broken‑drawer problem, only with a slightly different finish. I learned the warehouse ships full replacement pieces rather than parts, and I was offered either a refund or a third replacement. I chose the third.
The third table arrived yesterday — perfect condition. The downside: I now have three identical 65‑inch foyer tables and a husband who thinks they’re great for filling rooms. While he stubbornly assembled the extra, I made this slow cooker balsamic pulled pork with creamy polenta and avocado crema. I refused to share until he agreed we’d sell the extras. I won.
Love this slow cooker balsamic pulled pork recipe?
If you enjoy slow cooker meals, try other comforting recipes like Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls, Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew, or Slow Cooker Short Rib Ragu. For another polenta option, a quick skillet polenta and sausage skillet is excellent, and crispy polenta cakes make a great base for the pork — simply skip the mushroom topping and spoon the pulled pork over golden cakes.
Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork with Polenta and Avocado Crema
Ingredients
For the Pork
- 2 1/2 pound boneless pork loin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
For the Polenta
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup polenta, corn grits
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
For the Avocado Crema
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons cilantro
- juice of 1/2 a lime
- salt & pepper
Instructions
For the Pork
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Combine the salt, pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, and cumin in a small bowl.
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Rub the spice mixture over the pork loin, pressing it into the meat.
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Whisk the remaining ingredients — chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce — in a small bowl and pour into the slow cooker.
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Place the seasoned pork in the balsamic mixture and cook on low for 6 hours, until very tender.
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Remove the pork, shred it with two forks, then return the meat to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the juices.
For the Polenta
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Bring the milk, water, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan.
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Reduce to a simmer and slowly whisk in the polenta. Stir continually for about 10 minutes until thick and creamy.
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Stir in the butter and cheese, and adjust seasoning with salt to taste.
For the Avocado Crema
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Combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
To Serve
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Spoon a generous portion of polenta into bowls, top with shredded balsamic pork and a dollop of avocado crema. Garnish with extra cilantro and cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.