Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

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This slow cooker pulled pork is juicy and tender, with the perfect sweet and smoky flavor. An easy crockpot recipe that's always a hit!

Prep: 15

Cook: 5

Total: 5 45

Servings: servings

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Ingredients

FOR THE PULLED PORK:

1 small yellow onion finely chopped
6 ounces tomato paste
⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
⅓ cup honey
¼ 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:

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, sriracha, 1 teaspoon salt, and liquid smoke (if using), until smoothly combined.
Cut the fat from the bottom of the pork. Season 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. Store slow cooker pulled pork for up to 4 days.
TO REHEAT. To reheat slow cooker pulled pork, warm on 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 pulled 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: 1(of 8) without bun or slawCalories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 40gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 102mgPotassium: 957mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 576IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 3mg