You want pulled pork that melts in your mouth without spending hours monitoring the grill. This slow cooker method transforms boneless pork shoulder into tender, flavorful perfection while you go about your day. I'll show you exactly how to achieve restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, plus the secrets professional pitmasters use to maximize flavor and texture.
This recipe is great to add to your list of easy meals to prep ahead to heat up throughout the week or as an easy weeknight dinner that you can throw in the slow cooker before going to work as it only requires a couple minutes of prep work. Slow cooker pulled pork is also one of the best slow cooker recipes to make for a summer barbecue, especially if you do not own a smoker to cook your pork on.
This was inspired by my Instant Pot shredded chicken tacos recipe on this site, and pairs well with this oven roasted potatoes recipe.
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Ingredients
The best cut of pork for this recipe is a small boneless pork shoulder, around 4-5 pounds. A bone-in pork shoulder can also be used but this may extend the cooking time. For extra flavor and seasonings, barbecue sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, salt, pepper and garlic powder are added.
- boneless pork shoulder
- ketchup
- barbecue sauce
- yellow mustard
- salt
- black pepper
- garlic powder
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place pork shoulder in crock pot. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add a drizzle of barbecue sauce, ketchup and mustard over pork.
- Step 2: Slow cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. Pork is done when you can easily pull it apart using two forks.
- Step 3: In a large bowl using two forks, pull the pork apart until it is all shredded.
- Step 4: Mix in ketchup, mustard and barbecue sauce. Serve immediately or save for later.
Hint: if the pork is not done after 8 hours, turn the slow cooker up to high heat and check if the pork is tender enough to pull every 15 minutes until done. Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the pork shoulder.
Substitutions
- Pork - instead of pork, use chicken. The cooking time will be greatly decreased due to size if chicken is used. Different cuts of pork can also be used, such as pork loin, but pork should or pork butt is the best cut of meat to yield best results
- BBQ - use a honey bbq with brown sugar or bourbon bbq sauce to add sweetness. Hot sauce can also be added for a little spice
- Spices - you can change up the spices on your pork and use any spice rub you choose depending on preference
Variations
- Pulled Pork Sliders - add this pulled pork recipe to slider buns with coleslaw for a delicious appetizer
- Pulled Pork Tacos or Nachos - add the pulled pork into a taco shell for pork tacos or on top of tortilla chips to make pork nachos
- Pulled Pork Sandwich - place pork on a brioche bun for a pulled pork sandwich recipe
See this pulled pork sliders version of this recipe on my website!
Equipment
To make this recipe you will need a slow cooker and either two large forks or bear paws for pulling apart the pork.
How to Store Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Store the leftover pulled pork in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave prior to serving.
These ingredients do stand up well to freezing for up to 2 months.
Top Tip
For extra juicy pork, pour some of the cooking liquid left in the slow cooker into the pulled pork to add more moisture back into the pork. You can also add a little apple juice mixed with apple cider vinegar to the crock pot while slow cooking to make the best pulled pork for pork sandwiches.
FAQ
This is not recommended due to food safety concerns. Frozen meat spends too long in the temperature danger zone while thawing in the slow cooker. Always thaw pork shoulder completely in the refrigerator before cooking.
The internal temperature should reach 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. The meat should fall apart easily when pierced with a fork. Cooking times vary based on size, typically 8-10 hours on low.
Despite the names, both cuts come from the shoulder area of the pig. Pork butt comes from the upper shoulder while pork shoulder comes from the lower portion. Both work equally well for pulled pork.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with slow cooked pull pork:
📖 Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe in the Crockpot
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 2 large forks or bear paws for pulling pork
Ingredients
- 1 4-5 pound boneless pork shoulder
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ¼ cup ketcup
- 2 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place pork shoulder in crock pot. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add a drizzle of barbecue sauce, ketchup and mustard over pork.
- Slow cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. Pork is done when you can easily pull it apart using two forks.
- In a large bowl using two forks, pull the pork apart until it is all shredded.
- Mix in ketchup, mustard and barbecue sauce. Serve immediately or save for later.
Notes
- save leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
- cooked pull pork can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- reheat leftovers in the microwave or oven.
Nutrition
If you have any questions about how to make this slow cooker pulled pork or need other slow cooker recipe suggestions, leave a comment below!
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