Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (2024)

Notes on Ingredients

To make Crockpot Pulled Pork you only need a pork roast, spice rub, and a bit of liquid. I like to toss the pulled pork with barbecue sauce after it has been slow-cooked, but that is completely optional.

• Pork Roast: Use a pork butt or pork shoulder for best results. You can use a bone-in or boneless pork roast, just keep in mind that it is easier to shred or pull a boneless pork roast.
• Seasonings: To season the pork roast, this recipe uses a combination of spices that mimics my homemade dry rub. It is made with kosher salt, brown sugar, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder and is sweet, savory, and slightly spicy.
• Onion: The onion will help elevate the pork roast off the bottom of the slow cooker and help to add flavor to the overall recipe as well. It is best to use a yellow onion or sweet onion, not a red onion.
• Cooking Liquid:I love using 100% apple juice as the cooking liquid when making crockpot pulled pork. The apple juice infuses the pork roast with a sweet flavor, almost as though it has been smoked with applewood chips, and helps to balance out the flavor in this recipe.
• BBQ Sauce: If desired, toss the pulled pork with your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce after the pork has been shredded.

Flavoring Options

I love the sweet and spicy dry rub used in this pulled pork recipe, as it adds an incredible flavor to the pork and pairs beautifully with the addition of barbecue sauce. However, you can opt to use different spice blends to create unique spins on this classic pulled pork recipe.

• Tex-Mex: Replace the dry spice rub with 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Cook the pork roast in pineapple juice or water and then toss with enchilada sauce or leave plain after shredding.
• Latin-American Twist: Replace the dry rub with Homemade Adobo Seasoning. Cook the seasoned pork using orange juice mixed with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. The result is a sweet and savory Caribbean-inspired pulled pork recipe.
• Jerk Pulled Pork: Use jerk seasoning and pineapple juice to create a spicy, tangy, pulled pork with a Jamaican twist.
• Add a smokey flavor: Add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the crockpot, along with the apple juice for smokey undertones.

What is the Best Way to Shred Pork

There are several options pull or shred the pork after it has slow-cooked. However you choose, it is crucial to let the pork rest for 15-20 minutes before trying to shred it. Not only will it make it easier to pull the pork, but it will ensure the meat stays tender and juicy.

• With Two Forks: The pork should be tender enough to easily shred using two forks. I find it is easiest to do this in a large mixing bowl, which will allow you to add in some of the cooking liquid as well.
• With a Stand Mixer: The easiest way to shred the pork is to use a stand mixer. Cut the cooked pork into large chunks, place it into the bowl of the stand mixer, and mix on medium-low speed using the paddle attachment. Alternatively, you can use a handheld mixer.

Pulled Pork Serving Suggestions

Pulled Pork is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways.

• Dish the pulled pork out onto buns and top withhomemade coleslawfor a delicious BBQ Pork Sandwich.
• Top Instant Pot Baked Potatoes or Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes with a scoop of the pulled pork and top with cheese and barbecue sauce for a delicious BBQ Pork Loaded Potato.
• Replace the chicken in BBQ Chicken Salad, with some slow cooker pulled pork that has been tossed with BBQ sauce.
• Add shredded pork to pizza dough, drizzle with BBQ sauce, cover with shredded cheddar cheese, and bake for a fun spin on pizza night.
• Use the shredded pork to make pork tacos--with or without the added BBQ sauce.

Storage Instructions

This recipe for crockpot pulled pork makes a ton, so if you are not intending to serve a crowd, you will likely have leftovers, which is never a bad thing.

• Refrigerate:Allow the pulled pork to cool and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat it in a dry skillet over medium heat until warmed through or in a microwave-safe dish, covered with a heat-safe lid until warmed through.
• Freeze:Place cooled pulled pork into a freezer-safe bag or storage container and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat frozen pork,let the pork thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, place in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 2-3 minutes per cup of pork. Add in a splash of apple juice, water, or stock to loosen up the pork if needed.

Shouldn't I sear the pork roast before slow cooking it?

Unlike my recipe for Crockpot Pork and Sauerkraut, this crockpot pork recipe is best if you skip searing it before slow cooking. The spice rub can easily burn when the pork is seared, which will result in bitter pulled pork. The crockpot will work its magic to make this roast super tender.

Is the brown sugar necessary in the spice rub?

No! While it adds a nice flavor and helps balance out the spice, you can opt to omit it to keep this recipe free from refined sugars.

Can I use something other than apple juice to cook the pork?

Yes. Pineapple juice is a delicious option and will help to flavor and tenderize the pork as it cooks. Beer is another good option. If neither of those work, stick with water over broth.

How do I skim off the fat from the cooking liquid?

If you want to strain off the fat that accumulated before pouring the liquid over the pulled pork, place the collected cooking liquid in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. The fat will solidify on the top and can be scooped out and discarded.

Can this recipe be made using an Instant Pot?

Yes! Follow my tried-and-true recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork for fabulous results.

Can I cook the pork in BBQ sauce?

As the pork cooks, it will render quite a bit of fat, which can make the sauce a bit greasy. However, I often opt to cook the pork in a mixture of 1 cup of apple juice mixed with ¼ cup of honey, ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar, and 8 ounces of tomato sauce. After slow cooking the pork roast, strain the mixture, skim off the fat if desired, and then mix that mixture back into the shredded pork to season the pork as you would use BBQ sauce.