Honey Balsamic Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Essential Oils

You will be delighted with this savory and flavorful pulled pork sandwich that incorporates the benefits of thyme, rosemary, and black pepper essential oil!

Honey Balsamic Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Servings: 10–12 | Time: 1 hour active; 4 1/2–10 hours inactive | Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients:

• 4 lb. (1.8 kg) pork shoulder roast
• 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 drop thyme essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil

Sauce Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups  (360 ml) balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup (240 ml) ketchup
• 1/4 cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) honey
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (23 ml) worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (23 ml) dijon mustard
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. (3 g) salt
• 1 drop thyme essential oil
• 1 drop rosemary essential oil
• 1 drop black pepper essential oil

Additional Ingredients

• Hamburger buns or rolls
• Coleslaw or broccoli slaw

Instructions:

1. Cut off excess fat from the pork, and divide roast in 2–4 pieces.
2. Rub with vegetable oil, and brown each pork piece a little over the stove.
3. Place pork, broth, onions, and essential oils in slow cooker; cover, and cook on low for 9–10 hours or on high for 4 1/2–5 hours.
4. Once the pork is finished cooking, whisk together the sauce ingredients (except essential oils) in a medium saucepan. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat; then reduce to a simmer. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly (about 20–25 minutes). After the sauce has thickened a little, stir in the essential oils.
5. While the sauce is cooking, remove pork from the slow cooker, and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to pull the meat apart into shreds, discarding any fat or bones. Strain out the onions; discard the broth. Return the meat and onions to the slow cooker.
6. Add the sauce to the slow cooker, and stir everything together until all the meat is covered in the sauce.
7. Cover, and cook for another 30 minutes on low.
8. Serve on hamburger buns or rolls with broccoli slaw or coleslaw.