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Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

Crockpot BBQ pulled pork recipe with glossy sauce and soft coleslaw.

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This Crockpot BBQ pulled pork is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it comfort food. A simple pork shoulder transforms into incredibly tender, juicy meat after hours of slow cooking, perfect for sandwiches, bowls, or feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (4-5 pound) pork shoulder or pork butt
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • 1 cup chicken broth or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce, plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (if using broth as liquid)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and optional chili powder. Rub this mixture all over the pork.
  2. Place the sliced onion and smashed garlic in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth or apple cider vinegar. Set the seasoned pork on top.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and falls apart easily.
  4. Transfer the cooked pork to a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any large fat or bone.
  5. Skim excess fat from the juices in the slow cooker and discard the cooked onions and garlic. Return the shredded pork to the crockpot.
  6. Stir in the 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce and the 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (if using). Mix well to combine with the cooking juices.
  7. Let the sauced pork warm through on the WARM setting for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, do not lift the lid during cooking. Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) is essential for tenderness; leaner cuts will dry out. The pork can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

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