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    Home » Recipes » Recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    Published: Feb 25, 2019 · Modified: Jan 7, 2020 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    This easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe has bold barbecue flavors and is a perfect party entree. #bbq #pork

    Slow cooker BBQ pulled pork is easy to prepare and perfect for satisfying your barbecue cravings when firing up the smoker isn't an option!

    BBQ pulled pork is a winter staple in my house. It is great for feeding my family, serving as a party entree, or repurposing into multiple other dishes. This slow cooker recipe will no doubt be a staple in your repertoire as well.

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    What is Pulled Pork

    Pulled pork is slow cooked pork that is cooked until it is incredibly tender and able to be shredded easily into small strips. There are many ways to enjoy pulled pork, however, serving it on a hamburger bun with BBQ sauce is the most popular.

    How to Make Pulled Pork

    Pulled pork is made by slow cooking the pork shoulder at a low temperature over many hours. Traditionally, a smoker is used to make authentic smoked pulled pork, however, easy versions of Instant Pot pulled pork, and this slow cooker pulled pork recipe are effortless alternatives.

    This recipe takes roughly 6 hours to finish cooking in a slow cooker set on high. It will take a few extra hours to cook on low. It is a perfect recipe to let linger in the slow cooker all day because it isn't going to overcook. The longer pork shoulder cooks, the more tender it becomes. So if you finish cooking and your pulled pork isn't easy to shred yet, just let it cook longer.

    How to Make Pulled Pork

    Best Cut of Meat for Pulled Pork

    The best cut of meat for making pulled pork is pork shoulder. You will also find it labeled as pork butt & Boston butt. Yes, I know it doesn't make sense to call a cut of meat from the shoulder a "butt", but it is what it is.

    Pork shoulder is a fatty and tough cut of meat. However, it is also wonderfully inexpensive because of it. During the long cook times required to prepare pulled pork the meat tenderizes and becomes exceptionally juicy and flavorful!

    I strongly advise against making BBQ pulled pork with pork loin or tenderloin. Those cuts are too lean to make good pulled pork, and they cost more. You will be spending twice as much money to make an inferior dish. Save the pork loin for a roasted pork sandwich instead!

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    Slow cooker BBQ pulled pork is easy to prepare because the pork shoulder is tossed in the crock pot with minimal ingredients and then set to cook all afternoon while you worry about more pressing matters.

    Optional ways to amp up the flavor of your slow cooker BBQ pulled pork even further would be to apply a BBQ dry rub to the exterior of the pork shoulder prior to cooking, or you could even sear the pork shoulder in a skillet first, if desired.

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

    Pulled Pork Leftovers

    The other thing I love about pulled pork is finding new and delicious ways to eat it!  Though, I love it served on a crisp toasted bun with a slathering of my homemade coleslaw and BBQ sauce dripping off, but have you ever tried it with spaghetti?  I'm not kidding! BBQ Spaghetti with Pulled Pork is one of the most ridiculously delicious meals you will ever make!

    Another great way to enjoy leftover BBQ pulled pork is to make these BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes! They are sweet and creamy, with bold BBQ flavors in each bite!

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe

    Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

    This Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork has been my go-to recipe for years when I want a hassle-free, and delicious BBQ dinner for the family!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: BBQ
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 6 hours hours
    Total Time: 6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 sandwiches
    Calories: 353kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Ingredients

    BBQ Pulled Pork

    • 4 lb Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt)
    • 1 cup BBQ Sauce (plus more for sandwiches)
    • 1 tablespoon Liquid Smoke
    • Salt

    Serving Pulled Pork Sandwiches

    • 2 cups Coleslaw (click for homemade recipe)
    • 12 Buns (lightly toasted)

    Instructions

    • Place pork into slow cooker and cook on high until easily shredded with fork, or meat claws (roughly 6 hours).
    • Shred meat in the slow cooker and place on 'Warm' setting.
    • Add liquid smoke and 1 cup BBQ sauce, stir to combine, and salt to taste.
    • Place pork on hamburger buns, top with additional BBQ sauce and coleslaw as desired.

    Notes

    IF YOU LIKED THIS RECIPE you will love my BBQ Meatballs as well!

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 612mg | Potassium: 389mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 5.1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 12mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe was originally published on FoxValleyFoodie.com November 1, 2015.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rose Patterson

      September 09, 2020 at 7:39 am

      Can't wait to try this recipe. It is going in the crockpot in a few hours. This is my new favorite recipe site. I made your ranch dressing recipe this past weekend. It was a terrific hit. Also made the grilled pork loin. Also majorly awesome! I look forward to utilizing the wonderful e-recipe book you emailed when I joined your email group. Thanks so much:)

      Reply
    2. rachel

      December 28, 2019 at 7:38 am

      the recipe says to cook the pork shoulder by itself with no liquid is this correct? I am planning on making this but don't want it dried out so shouldn't there be some sort of sauce?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        December 31, 2019 at 8:42 am

        Yes, this is correct. Pork shoulder has plenty of fat that will release moisture as it cooks.

        Reply
    3. Julia

      November 04, 2015 at 12:29 pm

      Think I need to make this for Game Day!
      And it would be even better if I had a set of Bear Claws! lol

      Reply
    4. Nancy

      November 03, 2015 at 10:38 am

      This sounds like a really good recipe. I think I'm going to use a nice hot bbq sauce. The hotter the better!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        November 03, 2015 at 11:14 am

        Bring on the heat! I couldn't agree more!

        Reply
    5. manda

      November 02, 2015 at 11:31 am

      On a sandwich.

      Reply
    6. Gay Curtiss

      November 02, 2015 at 9:52 am

      My hubby is a pulled pork connoisseur! It's his favorite sandwich. I'll have to give this recipe a try. I also want to try the pickles on top... that sounds really good!

      Reply
    7. Linda w

      November 01, 2015 at 7:47 pm

      I am definitely going to have to give this recipe a try. I do have an issue with keeping my pork from drying out. Love adding dill pickles to my sandwich....

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        November 01, 2015 at 7:51 pm

        Using a fatty cut like, pork shoulder, should help prevent it from drying out. I don't recommend using lean cuts, like pork loin, for that reason.

        Reply
        • Linda w

          November 07, 2015 at 2:36 am

          Thank you for the tip. I will give this a try.

          Reply
    8. Janet T

      November 01, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      What a great recipe, I am looking forward making this recipe. My favorite way to eat pulled pork is on a bun with a pickle on top. I want to try the spaghetti pulled pork recipe too!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        November 01, 2015 at 6:10 pm

        I've never thought about adding a pickle to a pulled pork sandwich, but I can certainly see why that briny accent would be delicious!

        Reply
    9. Kim Balliew

      November 01, 2015 at 5:33 pm

      These look like the perfect answer to the shredding of pork dilemma! Pick me! Pick me! 🙂

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        November 01, 2015 at 5:48 pm

        If you win, Kim, I am sending you a bottle of hot sauce too! 😉

        Reply
    10. Francyn

      November 01, 2015 at 4:31 pm

      Pork shoulder is good too. This is the easiest recipe.

      Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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