Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is a family favorite and perfect to serve a crowd. Cooking a pork shoulder in your crockpot with barbecue sauce and spices results in super tender and flavorful shredded pork. Pile the bbq pulled pork on some buns and top with your favorite coleslaw.

Looking for other pork recipes? I love these healthy pork egg roll bowls or this sweet potato pork stew that can be made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork:

• Boneless Pork Shoulder - You can also use a pork shoulder to make a Slow Cooker Pork Ragu or Slow Cooker Carnitas.
• Onion - white or yellow. The onion gets very soft and incorporated with the pork and adds so much flavor.
• Barbecue Sauce - your favorite store-bought kind works!
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Brown Sugar - light or dark
• Yellow Mustard
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Minced Garlic
• Spices: Chili Powder, Dried Thyme, Salt and Pepper

How to Make Crockpot Pulled Pork

1. Sauce: First, mix up the sauce ingredients.
2. Add to Slow Cooker: Add the chopped onion and pork shoulder to a large slow cooker and cover with the sauce.
3. Cook: Cook on low for 10 to 12 hours or on high for 5 to 6. I prefer cooking on low as it becomes more tender. The pork is done when it is super tender and easily falls apart with just a fork and tongs.
4. Shred Pork: Remove the pork, discard any excess fat, shred the pork, and stir the shredded pork in with your desired amount of juice (you can use all of the leftover juice/sauce or only a small amount).
5. Serve: Serve on buns with coleslaw or other toppings of choice.

What size of slow cooker should be used?

This crockpot just needs to be large enough to fit your cut of pork shoulder. Pictured is a large 8qt slow cooker, but it could've squeezed in a 6qt slow cooker.

Do you need liquid in the slow cooker for the pulled pork?

The liquid helps make the pork extra tender and by using apple cider vinegar it adds some flavor and tang as well. The pork does not need to be covered in the liquid and it will release additional moisture as it cooks.

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?

Pork shoulder or pork butt! Both cuts come from the shoulder of the pig and they have more fat and marbling which results in super juicy, tender, and flavorful pulled pork.

If the shoulder has a large layer of fat on the surface of the meat, you can cut that away before cooking since there is already fat marbling for flavor.

What is pork shoulder?

Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat that is fatty and can be tough if cooked quickly. But by cooking low and slow it becomes very tender. It is sold both bone-in or boneless.

How long does raw pork shoulder keep?

Like most raw meat, it's best to cook the pork soon after you buy it. But, the raw pork shoulder can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days, max. Or you can freeze it for 5-6 months. Keep in mind that it will take 24-48 hours to thaw in the fridge.

Storage, Reheating, and Freezing

Storage: Leftover pulled pork can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Reheating: It can be reheated in the microwave, in a skillet on the stove, or even by putting it back in the crockpot. This is a great make ahead recipe!

Freezing: The pulled pork freezes very well. Store in airtight bags in the freezer for up to 6 months. You can even put the frozen pulled pork in the crockpot to reheat or thaw in the fridge overnight.

Recipe Notes and Tips:

• Cut Pork into Chunks - Don't have 10 hours to wait for the pork to cook? The recipe calls for the pork shoulder to be left whole, but you could cut it into a couple large chunks to shorten the cook time. You'll still cook until it is tender and easily shreds.
• Make it in advance! - Cook up the pulled pork a day or two before, store in the fridge, and then day of put back in the crockpot for a couple hours on low to reheat.

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