Loaded pulled pork cups are a delightful finger food, perfect for parties or family gatherings. These bite-sized treats pack a punch of flavor, combining the rich taste of tender, barbecued pork with the comfort of potatoes and cheese, all in one neat little cup. It's a innovative way of enjoying the classic combination of pulled pork and potatoes.
Most ingredients for this recipe are commonly found in your pantry or local supermarket. However, barbecued pork might need to be planned ahead. You can either use leftover pulled pork from a previous meal or buy ready-made from the store. If you're feeling adventurous, try making your own pulled pork at home! Hash browns are another key ingredient - you can find them in the frozen section.
Loaded Pulled Pork Cups Essential Ingredients
Hash brown potatoes: These are used to create the 'cups' of the dish. They add a crispy, savory base that complements the toppings.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a slightly tangy, nutty flavor to the hash brown cups.
Egg whites: Helps to bind the hash brown mixture together.
Garlic salt: Enhances the flavor of the potatoes and cheese.
Onion powder: Gives the hash brown cups a subtle, savory allium flavor.
Pepper: Adds a hint of heat to the hash brown cups.
Barbecued pork: The star of the show, it brings a savory, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the cheesy hash brown cups.
Colby Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully to give a creamy, slightly sweet and tangy flavor.
Sour cream: Adds a tangy creaminess that balances out the richness of the cheese and pork.
Chives: These green herbs add a mild onion-like flavor and a pop of color.
One reader, Ewan Gallagher says:
These loaded pulled pork cups are a game-changer! The crispy hash brown cups perfectly hold the savory pulled pork, and the melted cheese on top adds an extra layer of deliciousness. The combination of flavors is simply irresistible. I highly recommend trying this recipe for a mouthwatering treat!
Techniques Required for Making Loaded Pulled Pork Cups
How to prepare hash brown cups: Mix together hash browns, parmesan cheese, egg whites, and seasonings in a large bowl. Divide among well-greased muffin cups and form a cup by pressing into bottoms and up the sides.
How to bake hash brown cups: Bake at 450 degrees F for 22 to 25 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Carefully run a knife around the sides of each cup and let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans.
How to prepare pulled pork: Cook the pork until it is tender and can be easily shredded. You can use a slow cooker or oven to achieve this. Season with your favorite barbecue sauce.
How to assemble loaded pulled pork cups: Sprinkle cheese into the baked hash brown cups. Top each with a generous amount of pulled pork, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of chives.
How to serve loaded pulled pork cups: Serve the loaded pulled pork cups warm and enjoy!
How To Make Loaded Pulled Pork Cups
Golden hash brown cups are topped with prepared pulled pork and sour cream for irresistible pulled pork cups that are perfect for parties.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 20ozhash brown potatoes,shredded, refrigerated
- ¾cupparmesan cheese,shredded
- 2large egg whites,beaten
- 1tspgarlic salt
- ½tsponion powder
- ¼tsppepper
- 3cupsbarbecued pork,cooked and shredded
- 1cupcolby monterey jack cheese,shredded
- ½cupsour cream
- chives,minced
Instructions
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Mix together the hash browns, parmesan cheese, egg whites, and seasonings in a large bowl. Divide among 18 well-greased muffin cups; form a cup by pressing into bottoms and up the sides.
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Bake at 450 degrees F for 22 to 25 minutes until edges are golden brown.
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Carefully run a knife around the sides of each cup and let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans.
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Prepare pulled pork.
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Sprinkle the cheese into cups. Top each with pork, sour cream and bacon. Sprinkle with chives.
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Serve warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 135.58kcal
- Fat: 7.95g
- Saturated Fat: 4.14g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.69g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.47g
- Carbohydrates: 6.17g
- Fiber: 0.73g
- Sugar: 0.55g
- Protein: 9.66g
- Cholesterol: 28.24mg
- Sodium: 151.65mg
- Calcium: 143.75mg
- Potassium: 242.58mg
- Iron: 0.56mg
- Vitamin A: 39.05µg
- Vitamin C: 6.42mg
Helpful Technique Tip for Preparing Pulled Pork Cups
When preparing the pulled pork, it's best to slow cook it to achieve a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. You can use a slow cooker or an oven set at a low temperature. If you're using a slow cooker, cook the pork on low for about 8 hours. If you're using an oven, cook it at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 hours. Remember to frequently baste the pork with its own juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Prep ahead: Prepare the pulled pork in advance and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. This will save time on the day of making the loaded pulled pork cups.
Use store-bought: Consider using pre-shredded cheese and pre-made barbecue pork to cut down on prep time.
Multi-task: While the hash brown cups are baking, use that time to prepare the other ingredients or clean up the kitchen to save time later.
Organize ingredients: Before starting, gather all the ingredients and utensils needed for the recipe to streamline the cooking process.
Batch cooking: Make a larger batch of pulled pork and freeze the extra for future use in various recipes, saving time on meal prep later.
Efficient assembly: Set up a workstation with all the ingredients and tools needed for assembling the pulled pork cups to work more efficiently.
Substitute Ingredients For Loaded Pulled Pork Cups Recipe
hash brown potatoes - Substitute with shredded sweet potatoes: Shredded sweet potatoes can provide a similar texture and flavor, adding a hint of sweetness to the dish.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino romano has a similar salty and tangy flavor to parmesan, making it a suitable substitute in this recipe.
egg whites - Substitute with aquafaba: Aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, can be whipped into a foam similar to egg whites, making it a vegan-friendly alternative.
garlic salt - Substitute with minced garlic and salt: To replicate the flavor of garlic salt, combine minced garlic with a small amount of salt to achieve the same savory taste.
onion powder - Substitute with finely chopped fresh onions: Fresh onions can provide a more pronounced and aromatic flavor compared to onion powder, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
barbecued pork - Substitute with barbecued jackfruit: Jackfruit has a similar texture to pulled pork and can be flavored with barbecue sauce to mimic the taste of traditional pulled pork.
colby monterey jack cheese - Substitute with pepper jack cheese: Pepper jack cheese adds a spicy kick and melts similarly to colby monterey jack, complementing the other flavors in the dish.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can provide a creamy and tangy element similar to sour cream, while also adding a boost of protein to the dish.
chives - Substitute with green onions (scallions): Green onions can offer a mild onion flavor and a pop of color, serving as a suitable replacement for chives.
Presentation Ideas for Loaded Pulled Pork Cups
Elevate the hash brown cups: Gently arrange the golden hash brown cups on a sleek, rectangular plate, ensuring they are evenly spaced and visually appealing.
Garnish with chives: Sprinkle freshly chopped chives over the loaded pulled pork cups, adding a pop of vibrant green to the dish and enhancing its visual appeal.
Create a symmetrical arrangement: Arrange the loaded pulled pork cups in a circular pattern on the plate, ensuring each cup is placed with precision and care.
Incorporate negative space: Embrace the beauty of negative space on the plate, allowing the loaded pulled pork cups to stand out and become the focal point of the presentation.
Highlight the colors: Use a minimalist white plate to showcase the vibrant colors of the loaded pulled pork cups, allowing the dish to speak for itself and captivate the senses.
Essential Tools for Making Pulled Pork Cups
- Food processor: A versatile kitchen appliance used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients.
- Mixing bowl: A bowl used for combining ingredients and mixing them together.
- Muffin pan: A baking pan with individual cup-shaped depressions used to bake muffins or cupcakes.
- Knife: A tool used for cutting and slicing ingredients.
- Oven: A kitchen appliance used for baking and roasting food by heating it.
- Spatula: A kitchen tool with a broad, flat, flexible blade used for lifting and turning food during cooking.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Tools used for accurately measuring ingredients in cooking and baking.
- Cheese grater: A tool used to grate cheese into fine pieces.
- Baking sheet: A flat, rectangular metal pan used for baking and cooking food in the oven.
- Serving platter: A large, flat dish used for serving food to guests or family members.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Loaded Pulled Pork Cups
- Let the loaded pulled pork cups cool completely before storing or freezing.
- To store in the refrigerator, place the cups in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. They will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- For freezing, wrap each cup individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date and contents. Frozen loaded pulled pork cups will maintain their best quality for up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat refrigerated cups, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- For frozen cups, you can reheat them directly from the freezer. Place the frozen cups on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating to crisp up the hash brown cups.
- Alternatively, you can thaw the frozen cups in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This will reduce the reheating time to about 10-15 minutes in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven.
- Avoid microwaving the cups, as this may cause the hash brown cups to become soggy and lose their crispy texture.
How To Reheat Leftover Pulled Pork Cups
To reheat leftover loaded pulled pork cups, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cups on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. The foil will help prevent the hash brown cups from becoming too crispy or burnt.
Another option is to reheat the pulled pork cups in the microwave. Place a few cups on a microwave-safe plate and heat them in 30-second intervals until they reach your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat them, as the hash browns may become soggy.
For a crispy texture, you can also reheat the cups in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the cups in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
If you have leftover pulled pork and cheese separately, you can reassemble the cups before reheating. Fill the hash brown cups with the pork and top with cheese. Then, follow one of the above reheating methods.
To maintain the best texture and flavor, consume reheated loaded pulled pork cups within a day or two of the initial preparation. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Interesting Fact About Pulled Pork Cups
Pulled pork is a staple in Southern cuisine and is often slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in tender, flavorful meat that pairs perfectly with the crispy hash brown cups in this recipe.
Is Making Loaded Pulled Pork Cups at Home Cost-Effective?
This loaded pulled pork cups recipe can be cost-effective for a household. The use of affordable ingredients like hash brown potatoes and barbecued pork makes it budget-friendly. The versatility of the recipe allows for easy customization based on available ingredients, reducing potential waste. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $20-$25, making it an economical choice. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Is This Dish Healthy or Unhealthy?
This loaded pulled pork cups recipe, while undeniably delicious, leans more towards the unhealthy side. Here's why:
- The hash brown base is high in carbohydrates and fried, adding unnecessary calories and fat.
- Parmesan and Colby Monterey Jack cheeses are both high in saturated fat and sodium.
- Barbecued pork, depending on the recipe, can be high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.
- Sour cream adds additional saturated fat and calories to the dish.
However, there are a few redeeming qualities:
- The use of egg whites instead of whole eggs reduces the cholesterol content.
- The inclusion of chives adds a small amount of vitamins and minerals.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Swap the hash browns for shredded sweet potatoes or zucchini for a nutrient-dense, lower-carb base.
- Use reduced-fat cheeses or smaller amounts of full-fat cheeses to decrease the saturated fat content.
- Opt for a leaner cut of pork and prepare it with a low-sugar, low-sodium barbecue sauce.
- Replace the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a protein boost and reduced fat content.
- Add more vegetables, such as diced bell peppers or onions, to the pork mixture to increase the fiber and nutrient content.
- Use a smaller muffin tin to create smaller portions, encouraging moderation.
By making these adjustments, you can create a more balanced and nutritious version of this tasty appetizer while still enjoying the flavors you love.
Editor's Opinion on Loaded Pulled Pork Cups
This loaded pulled pork cups recipe is a delightful combination of crispy hash brown cups filled with tender, flavorful pulled pork, gooey cheese, and creamy sour cream. The hash brown cups provide a satisfying crunch, while the savory pork and cheese create a rich and indulgent filling. The addition of chives adds a pop of freshness, balancing the dish perfectly. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and a great option for entertaining or casual gatherings. The flavors and textures come together beautifully, making it a standout dish that will impress your guests.
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Why trust this Loaded Pulled Pork Cups Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a mouthwatering experience with its perfect combination of barbecued pork and colby monterey jack cheese. The hash brown cups provide a delightful crunch, while the addition of sour cream and chives adds a burst of freshness. The use of garlic salt and onion powder enhances the flavors, ensuring a savory and satisfying dish. Trust in the expertise behind this recipe, as it promises to elevate your culinary journey with its delectable and irresistible flavors.
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