Flavorful Pulled Pork Recipe with Easy Mango Habanero Glaze
Tender slow-cooked pulled pork paired with a sweet and spicy mango habanero glaze, perfect for family gatherings and potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (slow cooker) or 4-5 hours (oven)
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes (slow cooker) or 4 hours 20 minutes (oven)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 1 large ripe mango, peeled and chopped
- 1–2 habanero peppers, seeded and minced
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder but leave some for flavor and moisture. Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub this spice blend all over the pork, pressing it in well.
- Pour chicken broth into the bottom of the slow cooker or roasting pan. Place the pork shoulder on top, fat side up. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours (slow cooker) or at 300°F (150°C) for about 4-5 hours in the oven until the pork easily pulls apart. Check after 4 hours for tenderness.
- While the pork cooks, combine chopped mango, minced habanero, honey, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, and salt in a blender. Puree until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or heat as needed.
- Once the pork is fork-tender, transfer it to a large bowl. Use two forks or meat claws to shred the meat finely, discarding any large chunks of fat.
- Pour half of the mango habanero glaze over the shredded pork and toss to coat evenly. Reserve the rest for serving. Add more glaze if you prefer a saucier pulled pork.
- Serve the pulled pork warm on buns, over rice, or alongside your favorite sides. Drizzle extra glaze on top for added flavor.
Notes
Pat pork dry before applying rub for better spice adherence. Avoid lifting lid during cooking to prevent heat loss. Let pork rest before shredding. Glaze can be refrigerated up to a week and strained for smoother texture. Adjust habanero quantity for desired heat level. Oven method is faster but requires monitoring to avoid drying out meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup shredd
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: pulled pork, mango habanero glaze, slow cooker, easy recipe, spicy, sweet, barbecue, family dinner, potluck