Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork takes only minutes to prep, with minimal ingredients, and slow cooks for 10 hours. The pork is then shredded and smothered in your favorite barbecue sauce. This is the best pulled pork recipe and very versatile. You can eat it as is or place the pulled pork between two buns to enjoy as a pulled pork sandwich.

White oval baking dish with shredded pulled pork on a wood cutting board with sides around the dish.

Are you in search of the best pulled pork recipe? If so, you are in luck! During the summer months (and really year round) I love to let my slow cooker do all the work for dinner. My Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe is one of my go-to easy dinners thanks to the low prep, few ingredients, and bulk amount of main dish it makes. We love pork in my home. Whether it’s a Shoulder Roast or a pork tenderloin you’ll find pork on our menu often. Whether you are feeding a crowd or simply craving barbecue you will love this bbq pulled pork.

Over the years I have tweaked and created the very best pulled pork recipe. This recipe makes a lot so be prepared if you are trying to make it just for a family of 4. I never mind having leftover pulled pork, because it only means that I’ll get to make my favorite pulled pork nachos! It’s a great way to reinvent leftovers.

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Why this Recipe Works
Ingredients
Pulled Pork Rub Recipe
How to Cook Boston Butt in Crockpot
FAQs
Expert Tips
Pulled Pork Side Dishes
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Why this Recipe Works

Convenience – Making pulled pork in a slow cooker is incredibly convenient! You can prep everything in the morning or even the night before, set it to cook, and come back to a delicious, tender, and flavorful meal in the evening. It’s a perfect option for busy weekdays or lazy weekends when you don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.

Feeds A Crowd – One pork shoulder can feed a lot of people. So if you are entertaining and looking for something that is inexpensive and feeds a lot of people pulled pork is the ticket.

Flavor – Slow cooking pork is an excellent way to infuse the meat with flavor. As the pork cooks low and slow, the flavors of the spices, herbs, and other ingredients you’ve added to the dish have ample time to meld together and create a mouthwatering taste that is sure to please everyone’s taste buds.

Versatility – Pulled pork is a versatile dish that can be used in many different ways. You can serve it as a main dish with your favorite sides, use it as a filling for tacos, sandwiches, or even use it as a topping for pizza or baked potatoes. The possibilities are endless, and the slow cooker makes it easy to create a large batch that you can enjoy throughout the week.

Ingredients

Pork – I use a Pork Shoulder otherwise known as a Boston Butt. Anywhere from 4-7 pounds works for this recipe.
Seasonings – I use a mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder for my rub for the pulled pork.
Onion – I love to line the bottom of the slow cooker with sliced onions.
Pineapple Juice – One cup of pineapple juice is all you need. The onions and pork will

Pulled Pork Rub Recipe

Two photos: lefto f a hand holding three spices in a small bowl; right of a seasoned pork shoulder.

Mix together the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Rub all over the pork shoulder until fully covered and seasoning is used up.

How to Cook Boston Butt in Crockpot

Top view of sliced onions in a black slow cooker.

Place the sliced onions on the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker.

Top view of a raw Boston Butt roast on top of onions in a black slow cooker.

Then plan the pork shoulder FAT SIDE UP in the slow cooker. Pour the pineapple juice. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 10 hours.

Three photos of cooked pork; right photos of shredded pork with barbecue sauce.

After the pork is done cooking, carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place into a large serving dish. Remove as much of the fat off of the pork as possible. Begin to shred the meat. Once all the pork is shredded, add the cooked onions into the meat and about ¼ cup of the liquid.

Next, add ¾ of a bottle of barbecue sauce to the shredded pork. Mix well. Serve immediately or drain most of the liquid out of the slow cooker and place back in slow cooker on “warm” setting until ready to enjoy.

FAQs

Top view of an oval dish on a wood cutting board with rolls and pulled pork sandwiches next to it.

How much pulled pork will feed 12 people?

If you are looking to feed a crowd. Pulled pork is a great option. I typically like to allocate a half pound of meat per person. For a party of 12 you should look for a 6lb pork shoulder.

What is the best liquid to cook pulled pork in?

I love to use pineapple juice for pulled pork. However, apple juice, beer, or even water works well too.

What cut of meat is used for pulled pork?

A pork shoulder is the cut of meat you will use for pulled pork. This cut of meat also has a few other names. Boston Butt is another common name used when referencing the type of meat used for pulled pork.

Do you cut the fat off pork shoulder before slow cooking?

No, I love to keep the fat on because this is what keeps the meat moist and juicy. The fat also adds so much flavor to the broth. After the pork shoulder is done cooking you can easily cut the fat off.

Can I use pork loin instead of pork shoulder for pulled pork?

No you cannot use a pork loin instead of a pork shoulder for pulled pork. This is because a pork loin is extremely lean and contains little to no fat.

Do I need to cook the Boston Butt fat side up?

Always cook the pork shoulder with the FAT SIDE UP in the slow cooker/crock pot. This is to help keep the meat moist while cooking.

Expert Tips

Pulled pork sandwich with barbecue sauce on a wood cutting board.

Here are all my expert tips I’ve found helpful when I make pulled pork in the slow cooker.

Pork – The most common cut of meat used for pulled pork is a pork shoulder or also known as a Boston Butt Pork Roast.
Liquid – I like to use pineapple juice. If you don’t have this on hand you can use apple juice or even a light lager beer. If you don’t have any of those options on hand water always works but just does not provide as much flavor.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Serve ½ cup portions of shredded pulled pork on to a hamburger bun. Top with more barbecue sauce if desired. Add a scoop of coleslaw to your sandwich for an extra treat! Or top with bread and butter pickles.
Cooking Liquid – Reserve 1-2 cups of the cooking liquid that the pulled pork was made in for freezing and reheating.
Freezing leftovers – You will have a lot of shredded pork leftover depending on how many people you feed for the initial dinner. The good news is that the bbq pulled pork freezes great! Simply place a 1-2 cup portion of shredded pork (with extra cooking liquid if you happened to reserve it) in a labeled freezer bag. Freeze flat for up to 3 months.
Reheat Frozen Shredded Pork – To reheat the frozen shredded pork you will want to place the frozen pork in the refrigerator the night before to thaw. Once thawed you’ll want to cook on the stove top on medium-low heat until warm. Add liquid to the sauce pan to prevent the pulled pork from drying out. I would personally avoid reheating in the microwave as that may dry out the pork.

Pulled Pork Side Dishes

Top view of side dishes around a bowl of shredded pork with buns on cutting board.

If you make Crock Pot pulled pork you might be looking for some sides to serve it with. Here are a few of my favorite side dish recipes that compliment the bbq pulled pork.

Looking for more side dishes? Check out my 15 Delicious Pulled Pork Sides roundup.

If you make this pulled pork crock pot recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!

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