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
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
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.
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
Another great way to enjoy leftover BBQ pulled pork is to make
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
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
Nutritional Information
This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe was originally published on FoxValleyFoodie.com November 1, 2015.
Rose Patterson
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:)
rachel
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?
Fox Valley Foodie
Yes, this is correct. Pork shoulder has plenty of fat that will release moisture as it cooks.
Julia
Think I need to make this for Game Day!
And it would be even better if I had a set of Bear Claws! lol
Nancy
This sounds like a really good recipe. I think I'm going to use a nice hot bbq sauce. The hotter the better!
Fox Valley Foodie
Bring on the heat! I couldn't agree more!
manda
On a sandwich.
Gay Curtiss
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!
Linda w
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....
Fox Valley Foodie
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.
Linda w
Thank you for the tip. I will give this a try.
Janet T
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!
Fox Valley Foodie
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!
Kim Balliew
These look like the perfect answer to the shredding of pork dilemma! Pick me! Pick me! 🙂
Fox Valley Foodie
If you win, Kim, I am sending you a bottle of hot sauce too! 😉
Francyn
Pork shoulder is good too. This is the easiest recipe.