Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Our extended family gatherings have an unspoken rule of engagement: there will be barbecue. This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is sweet, smoky, saucy, and inspired by the pulled pork sandwiches at one of our favorite local BBQ joints.

My sisters live in Kansas City, and whenever Ben and I come to visit, a stop for barbecue isn’t a suggestion. It’s a direct order.

The competition is fierce and hotly debated between the top-rated spots.

Over the course of a few years, I’ve managed to try a pulled pork sandwich at every single one of them (all in the name of research of course).

My absolute favorite is made by a spot that operates out of a gas station (really!). It’s melt-in-your-mouth tender, ultra smoky and savory, and topped with a crisp, creamy coleslaw that brightens it up.

Here in Milwaukee, pulled pork (and similarly, Crockpot BBQ Chicken) has become a go-to dish that I serve for gatherings.

It’s an inexpensive way to feed a crowd, I can 100% prep it in advance, and any leftovers (ha!) are easy to portion, freeze, and can be used in a variety of ways from pulled pork tacos, to Pulled Pork Quesadillas, to even a power bowl.

Or do what Ben did the entire week I was fine tuning today’s pulled pork and recording this Instant Pot Pulled Pork video AND making today’s video (watch it below!): eat pulled pork sandwiches twice a day paired with Healthy Coleslaw and live your best life.

How to Make The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This easy slow cooker pulled pork cooks away all day almost entirely unattended.

Its flavor is spectacular, thanks to a slow cooker pulled pork BBQ sauce that will convince your friends that you are a meat whisperer.

• Instead of using bottled barbecue sauce or ketchup (both of which are usually loaded with corn syrup or similar sugar), I worked off of my easy homemade Barbecue Sauce.
• It’s made with pantry spices, tomato paste, honey, and a dash of hot sauce for some kick.
• Combined with the pork’s own cooking juices, these ingredients make for a slow cooker pulled pork taste that is lightly smoky and rich, with just the right amount of vinegar to balance it and cut the fattiness of the pork.

Which Cut of Meat is Used for Pulled Pork

Long, slow cooking is best for fattier, tougher cuts of pork such as pork shoulder, which is the traditional choice.

Fat = flavor. The fat renders, the meat breaks down and becomes juicy, and your pork tastes delicious.

• Pork Shoulder. If you want meat so tender you can shred it with a spoon, slow cooker pork shoulder is the way to go. (Taste Instant Pot Carnitas and tell me I’m right!) You’ll also see this cut referred to as pork butt (which for all intents and purposes is the same thing).
• Pork Loin. Leaner than pork shoulder, it doesn’t make for pulled pork that is as juicy and tender, but it is usable in a pinch. Honestly, I do not love pork loin for crockpot pulled pork. I think you’ll be disappointed. Try this Instant Pot Pulled Pork instead! It uses pork loin, and the Instant Pot traps enough moisture to keep the pork tasting juicy.
• Pork Tenderloin. DO NOT make slow cooker pork tenderloin. Just don’t. It’s far too lean of a cut, will very likely taste dry, and the pork will be difficult to shred. Instead, try this lovely Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Mustard Pork Tenderloin, or Stuffed Pork Tenderloin.

The Ingredients

• Pork. The star of the show! For unparalleled juiciness and melt-in-your-mouth taste, make slow cooker pork shoulder. (See above for more info).

• Onion. It breaks down so much you’ll almost forget it’s there, but it works quietly in the background to make the pork taste more complex.
• Tomato Paste. Its concentrated flavor gives the sauce backbone.
• Apple Cider Vinegar. The acid helps cut and balance the richness of the pork.
• Honey + Brown Sugar. Some sweetness is essential for BBQ flavor (and a much better option than corn syrup!).
• Hot Sauce. Spicy to balance the sweet.

• Worcestershire Sauce. The umami ingredient.
• Liquid Smoke. Such a fun ingredient to use! (I love it for Instant Pot Ribs). It gives the pork an “I spent all day fussing over this” taste, with zero fuss at all. (If you prefer, you can omit it, but I think you’ll be happy you’re your purchase.)

• Smoked Paprika + Garlic Powder + Mustard Powder. To make the sauce taste boss.
• Cornstarch. A slurry thickens up the pork’s own cooking juices and makes them a part of the sauce. You don’t lose a drop of goodness.

The Directions

1. Add the the onion, tomato paste, vinegar, honey, and spices to the slow cooker.

2. Whisk together.

3. Season the pork with salt and pepper.

4. Add the pork to the slow cooker and spoon the sauce all over the top.

5. Cook pulled pork on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours or LOW for 8 to 10 hours.

6. Remove the pork. Add the cornstarch slurry, stir, and cook for 20-30 minutes until it thickens.

7. Shred the pork and stir it together with the thickened BBQ sauce. ENJOY!

What to Serve With Pulled Pork

• Easy Baked Beans. CLASSIC with barbecue.
• Slaw. The Picnic Slaw in The Well Plated Cookbook is fresh and fabulous.
• Grilled Vegetables. Perfect for a summer meal! Grilled Corn Salad would be a popular choice. For some green, try Grilled Asparagus or Grilled Brussels Sprouts.
• Sweet Potato Salad. A unique and scrumptious cookout classic. Plus, bacon!

Storage Tips

• To Store. Refrigerate leftover pulled pork for up to 4 days.
• To Reheat. Rewarm over the stovetop or in the microwave, with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep the pork from becoming too thick or dry.
• To Freeze. Portion the pork into freezer safe containers of your desired size. Freeze for up to 3 months (I’ve gone even longer). Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

• Glass Mixing Bowls. Stackable, durable, and microwave-safe.
• Magnetic Measuring Spoons. So easy to keep organized in your kitchen drawer.
• Whisk. Smaller size for easier storage and less splashing when mixing.

The Best Slow Cooker

This 6-quart crock pot has an easily programmable timer and a locking lid for transporting meals on the go.

Get on AMazon

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Keep this crockpot pulled pork recipe handy. Once you try it, I suspect it will become a go-to in your family too!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Video

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ReviewSave to FavoritesPrint

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

5 from 5 votes

This easy slow cooker pulled pork shoulder recipe with BBQ sauce will wow any crowd! Use it for sandwiches, tacos, breakfast hash, and more!

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Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 5 hrs

Total: 5 hrs 45 mins

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Servings: 8

ReviewSave to FavoritesPrint

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

FOR THE PULLED PORK:

• 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons mustard powder
• 2 teaspoons Sriracha or hot sauce of choice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus additional for the pork
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional but super good
• 1 3-to 4-pound boneless pork shoulder or pork butt
• Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch plus 3 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry

FOR SERVING:

• Buns
• Healthy Coleslaw
• Pickles

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Instructions

 

• In the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, whisk together the onion, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, honey, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and liquid smoke (if using), until smoothly combined.
  
• Salt the pork all over with a generous amount of kosher salt and ground pepper.
  
• Add the pork to the slow cooker and spoon the sauce all over the top to cover it.
  
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours or LOW for 8 to 10 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender. Transfer the pork to a large bowl, leaving the cooking liquid in the slow cooker.
• In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry. Pour into the slow cooker, then whisk to combine. Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH, whisking every so often, until the sauce is thickened to your liking, about 20 to 30 minutes.
• While the sauce thickens, shred the pork with two forks or, if it is cool enough to handle, with your fingers.
• Stir the shredded pork back into the thickened sauce in the slow cooker. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired (you may need an extra pinch of salt or some additional hot sauce if you enjoy a kick). Spoon pork on top of buns with coleslaw and pickles to create a sandwich, or serve it any way you like.

Notes

• TO STORE. Refrigerate leftover pulled pork for up to 4 days.
• TO REHEAT. Rewarm over the stovetop or in the microwave, with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep the pork from becoming too thick or dry.
• TO FREEZE. Portion the pork into freezer safe containers of your desired size. Freeze for up to 3 months (I’ve gone even longer). Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 8Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 40gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 102mgPotassium: 966mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 576IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 3mg

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