Craving tender, flavorful pulled pork but short on time? This Easy Rice Cooker Pulled Pork (Chà bông) recipe is your answer! Forget hours spent tending a slow cooker or oven; this method leverages the convenience of your rice cooker to deliver melt-in-your-mouth pork with minimal effort. The result is a surprisingly authentic Vietnamese-inspired chà bông, bursting with savory umami notes and perfectly balanced sweetness, all achieved with simple ingredients and surprisingly little fuss. Imagine the possibilities: juicy pulled pork sandwiches, flavourful rice bowls, or even a vibrant addition to your favorite tacos.
This recipe expertly guides you through the entire process, from prepping the pork to achieving that perfectly shredded texture. Ready to transform your rice cooker into a pulled pork powerhouse? Let's dive into the step-by-step instructions below and create this delicious, effortless meal together.
Tools Needed
- Rice cooker
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowl
- Large bag
- Net
- Mallet or rolling pin (optional)
- Pan
- Stove
Ingredients
- Pork (thigh and flank): 1 kg
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (7g)
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon (20g)
- Pepper
- Shallots (crushed): 4
- Honey: optional, 1 teaspoon
- Sugar (for sauce): 3 tablespoons
- Fish sauce: 3 tablespoons
- Seasoning powder: 1 tablespoon
- Soy sauce: 1 teaspoon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Marinate and Cook the Pork
- Cut the pork into 10cm long strips. The slightly larger pieces ensure softer, less dry floss.
- Marinate the pork in the rice cooker with salt, sugar, pepper, shallots, and optional honey for 30 minutes, mixing occasionally.
- Cook the marinated pork in the rice cooker using the cook rice function twice (or slow cook once) for approximately 50 minutes.
- Check the pork's tenderness with chopsticks. It should be easily shredded.
Step 2. Reduce Sauce and Season
- Drain the cooking liquid and reduce it to half on the stove, adding 3 tablespoons of sugar and cook for 15 minutes. Let it caramelize.
- Add fish sauce (3 tablespoons), seasoning powder (1 tablespoon), and soy sauce (1 teaspoon) to the reduced sauce, mixing well.
Step 3. Shred and Fluff the Pork
- Place the cooked pork in a large bag and use a net or mallet to gently beat and fluff the meat for 5-10 minutes.
- Combine the shredded pork with the sauce, mixing thoroughly.
Step 4. Dry and Finish the Chà Bông
- Stir-fry the pork floss in a pan over low heat, spreading it evenly to dry. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Continue until golden brown and completely dry.
- Cool the floss completely on a tray before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
Read more: Quick & Easy Dry Chicken Noodle Pho Recipe
Tips
- Using both thigh and flank meat results in a floss with optimal chewiness and sweetness.
- Avoid using fish sauce or seasoning powder during marinating to prevent a braised meat flavor.
- Adjust the amount of sugar in the sauce to your preference.
- A tabletop mixer can be used to fluff the pork floss for a more efficient process.
- Crumbling the pork instead of tearing may be a faster method for shredding.
- Taste test the floss before stir-frying to ensure proper seasoning; it should be slightly salty.
- Cooking in a rice cooker preserves the meat's tenderness and chewiness better than a regular pot.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?
Yes, shoulder (butt) or loin work well. Shoulder will be more tender, but loin cooks faster.
2. What if my rice cooker doesn't have a 'slow cook' setting?
You can adapt this recipe to a regular rice cooker by cooking on the 'cook' setting for a shorter time, checking frequently for doneness. You may need to adjust cooking time.
3. How long can I store leftover pulled pork?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
This Easy Rice Cooker Pulled Pork recipe delivers incredible flavor and texture with minimal effort, proving that delicious meals don't have to be complicated. Enjoy the versatility of this chà bông, incorporating it into your favorite dishes or simply savoring it on its own. Now go forth and impress your friends and family with this surprisingly simple yet spectacular pulled pork!