You can’t get more Southern than pulled pork, fried okra and grits (not to mention the pimento cheese). The chimichurri isn’t “North American Southern” it is even more southern, as in South America. For whatever reason, that makes me giggle. This one is really good and received the ultimate compliment from the Wife when she said, “we could serve this to guests”.

I’ve made the slow-cooker pulled pork several time. I’ve also made the Pimento Cheese Grits. I’ve grilled and charred okra but this was a first to try it in the air fryer.

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Being from the South, I see the irony in this recipe. The grits with pimento cheese are legit. The pulled pork shoulder in the slow-cooker, not so much. Pork shoulder should be smoked slow and low. Air frying okra, I guess is okay, but probably better to just fry them straight up with corn meal and bacon fat.

With all that said, this one was really good. Again, this was wife approved and was good enough to serve to guests.

Special Equipment Needed

Slow-cooker
Air Fryer

Ingredients

Ingredients for Slow-cooker Pulled Pork

1 2 to 4 pound boneless pork shoulder (whatever will fit in your slow-cooker
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons hot paprika
2 teaspoons mustard powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
3 tablespoons Dale’s marinade (or soy sauce)
Salt and pepper

Ingredients for my Chimichurri

1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp oregano, chopped
2-4 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 tsp crushed red pepper flake
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for Pimento Cheese Gits

1 cup grits (we prefer Anson Mills or Marsh Hen Mill)
2-4 + tbsp Pimento Cheese (I prefer Pawley’s Island Palmetto with Jalapeno)
3 cups water

Ingredients for Air Fried Okra

1 bunch okra, sliced in half, length wise
Olive oil spray
Flour
Corn starch
Seasoning of choice (we used Tony Chachere)

Instructions

How to make Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

Combine 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar, the paprika, mustard powder, cumin, 2 teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon pepper in a small bowl and combine. Rub the pork until covered.
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add vegetable oil and heat until it shimmers. Sear the pork on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the pork and add a ½ cup or so of water. Whisk to remove any bits and drippings from the pan. Add that liquid to your slow-cooker.
Add the vinegar, tomato paste, remaining brown sugar, liquid smoke and Dale’s marinade plus another cup of water to the slow cooker. Whisk to combine. Add pork and more water if needed. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. After 4 hours, turn the pork over and cook for another 4 hours. Alternately, you can cook on high for 4 hours.

How to make my Chimichurri

Add parsley, cilantro, oregano, garlic, vinegar, pepper flake, salt and pepper and oil in a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
Allow to set in the refrigerator up to over night but ideally at least 2 hours.

How to make Jalapeno Pimento Cheese Grits

In a medium sauce pan, add water and bring to a boil.
Add grits and stir while returning to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and cover.
Simmer for 25-30 minutes. Keep warm.
Before serving, mixing in pimento cheese.

How to make Air Fried Okra

Preheat your air fryer to 400F.
Spray okra with a light coating of olive oil spray.
Combine flour, corn starch and season to taste in a large bowl.
Toss okra in flour mixture until covered.
Add okra to air fryer and spray with more olive oil spray.
Cook okra for 20-25 minutes, depending on your air fryer.
Toss the okra every 5 minutes or so, spraying dry spots on the okra with olive oil spray.