Pulled Pork Recipe (Slow Cooker)
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A good Pulled Pork is just one of those comforting recipes we should all have stashed in our recipe book. This is the pulled pork recipe I’ve been using for years! I love how it’s incredibly easy yet incredibly delicious!
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
So what makes this my favorite pulled pork recipe?
- A simple homemade dry rub (the seasoning mixture that’s rubbed over the roast).
- A slightly sweet, tangy, smokey broth mixture the roast soaks and cooks in for 8 hours.
- I love that since it’s cooked in the slow cooker it’s super tender.
- And I also like the shortcut of a store-bought bbq sauce here, making it doable for busy days (but feel free to use homemade if you got some on hand).
Then for me it’s not complete without a side of coleslaw. The two just go hand in hand right?
My coleslaw of choice for pulled pork sandwiches is this simple recipe HERE, but I do like to add blue cheese crumbles when pairing it with pulled pork. It takes it over the top.
Easy Pulled Pork Ingredients
For the pulled pork seasoning, you’ll need:
- 1 1/2 Tbsp salt and 1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp paprika
- 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or a little more if you want it spicier)
For the roast and broth you’ll need:
- 4 pound boneless pork shoulder roast (aka Boston Butt roast)
- 2 cups apple juice
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire
- 1/2 Tbsp liquid smoke
- 1 1/4 cups BBQ sauce (I like to use Bullseye)
Then don’t forget about the buns and coleslaw if you want to make a bbq pork sandwich!
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together salt, pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Place roast in a baking dish and rub entire roast with dry rub mixture, pressing mixture over the roast. Cover roast with plastic wrap and allow to rest in the refrigerator at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine apple juice, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire and liquid smoke.
- Place roast in a slow cooker, pour several tablespoons of the apple juice mixture over the top of the roast, then pour remaining mixture on the side of the roast (I do this so all the dry rub isn’t washed off the top).
- Cover slow cooker and cook on low heat 8 – 10 hours.
- Remove roast from slow cooker and shred (leave broth in slow cooker). Return shredded pork to slow cooker (in broth) and allow to cook on low 10 – 20 more minutes.
- Drain most of the broth from pork (I leave about 1/2 cup), pour in barbecue sauce and toss.
- Serve in buns with coleslaw to make pulled pork sandwiches, if desired.
What’s the Best Pork for Pulled Pork?
Stick with pork shoulder (AKA Boston butt) for flavorful, tender results.
Can I Use a Bone-In Pork Roast?
A bone-in roast works great here too. Look for one that’s about 4.5 pounds to make up for the weight of the bone.
Can I Make Pulled Pork in an Instant Pot?
To make this easy pulled pork recipe in an Instant Pot, cook at high pressure or manual mode for 75 minutes.
How to Reheat Pulled Pork
I recommend reheating leftover pulled pork in the oven or in a covered skillet over low heat. Be sure to reheat the pulled pork with some of its juices, otherwise it’ll dry out.
Can You Freeze Pulled Pork?
Yes, this slow cooker pulled pork freezes very well. Seal it inside a freezer bag with some of its juices. To thaw, place in your fridge overnight.
Tips for the Best Pulled Pork
- Add a good seasoning before cooking. The dry rub used here is tasty and doesn’t call for 101 ingredients.
- Simmer in a flavorful broth. The roast will soak up the flavors of the broth (which is apple juice and apple cider vinegar based here) throughout that lengthy cook time.
- Cook low and slow. I love the slow cooker method for pulled pork because it yields perfectly tender shredded pork.
- Don’t forget the sauce. Pulled pork is all about that barbecue sauce. I recommend using a smokey rich sauce that isn’t too sweet.
- Add coleslaw for texture, freshness and color. It makes the sandwich look that much more appealing.
More Easy Pork Recipes You’ll Love
- Carnitas (Crispy Pulled Pork Tacos)
- Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
- Grilled Pork Chops
- Orange-Sage Pork Chops
- Balsamic Honey Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Follow Easy Cooking Zone
Pulled Pork (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp paprika
- 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 pound boneless pork shoulder roast (aka Boston Butt roast)
- 2 cups apple juice
- 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp liquid smoke
- 1 1/4 cups BBQ sauce (I like to use Bullseye)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl whisk together salt, pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Place pork shoulder in a baking dish and rub entire roast with dry rub mixture, pressing mixture over the roast. Cover roast with plastic wrap and allow to rest in the refrigerator at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine apple juice, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire and liquid smoke.
- Place roast in a slow cooker, pour several tablespoons of the apple juice mixture over the top of the roast, then pour remaining mixture on the side of the roast (I do this so all the dry rub isn't washed off the top).
- Cover slow cooker and cook on low heat 8 - 10 hours.
- Remove roast from slow cooker and shred (leave broth in slow cooker). Return shredded pork to slow cooker (in broth) and allow to cook 10 - 20 more minutes.
- Strain most of the broth from pork (I leave about 1/2 cup), pour in barbecue sauce and toss.
- Serve in buns with coleslaw if desired.
Notes
- I like to serve with this coleslaw HERE. I like to add some blue cheese crumbles to it as well it pairs deliciously with the pork.
- Serve with fresh bakery buns for best results. Skip those down the bread isle.
- Recipe source: adapted from Food Network.