Tender & Tasty Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe for All

Succulent pork shoulder simmers in a tantalizing slow cooker pulled pork recipe that melts in your mouth.

The aroma of tender, perfectly seasoned meat will fill your kitchen with irresistible warmth.

Slow cooking transforms an ordinary cut into a mouthwatering feast that beckons everyone to the table.

Each bite promises a rich, deep flavor that speaks to comfort and satisfaction.

Packed with bold spices and slow-simmered to perfection, this dish elevates weeknight dinners from ordinary to extraordinary.

The secret lies in patience and a handful of simple ingredients that work culinary magic.

Prepare to be the hero of your next meal with this crowd-pleasing classic that’s sure to have everyone asking for seconds.

Storage Help For Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Refrigerator Revival: Store shredded pulled pork in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Cool the meat completely before sealing to maintain top-quality flavor and texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: Portion pulled pork into freezer-safe bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months for quick future meals. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm pulled pork gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or sauce to prevent drying. Microwave works too – cover and heat in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Flavor Boost Trick: Keep cooking liquid separate when storing. Add a few tablespoons when reheating to refresh moisture and intensify the original seasoning profile. This technique prevents bland, stringy meat and maintains the initial delicious taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 8-10 hours

Total Time: 8-10 hours

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 11

All Ingredients For Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Pork Shoulder: Rich, marbled cut perfect for slow cooking, ensuring tender and juicy results with deep flavor development.
• Chicken Broth or Apple Juice: Provides moisture and subtle sweetness, helps prevent meat from drying during long cooking process.

• Brown Sugar: Adds caramelized sweetness and helps create delicious exterior crust on meat.
• Paprika: Contributes warm, slightly smoky undertone and beautiful reddish color to the spice blend.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers intense, concentrated garlic essence without raw garlic texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and helps tenderize protein.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and complex spiciness to the seasoning mix.
• Chili Powder: Brings gentle warmth and depth to the dry rub.

• Barbecue Sauce: Adds tangy, sweet dimension and helps create moist, flavorful pulled pork.
• Olive Oil: Enables efficient searing and develops rich, caramelized exterior on meat.
• Sandwich Buns: Provides classic serving vessel for traditional pulled pork presentation.

Slow Cooker Tools For Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Large Skillet: Essential for searing pork and developing rich flavor before slow cooking.
• Slow Cooker: The star of this recipe, perfect for making tender, juicy pulled pork.
• Paper Towels: Crucial for drying the pork before applying the dry rub.
• Small Bowl: Needed for mixing the spice rub ingredients.
• Large Bowl: Used for shredding the cooked pork and mixing with sauce.
• Two Forks: Ideal tools for effortlessly pulling apart the cooked meat.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning out the dry rub spices.

Steps To Cook Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Prepare the Meat

Grab your pork and give it a good pat down with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Sprinkle a delicious blend of spices all over the meat, massaging the seasonings into every nook and cranny for maximum flavor.

• Brown the Exterior

Heat up a skillet with a splash of oil until it’s sizzling hot. Carefully place the seasoned pork in the pan and let it develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust on all sides. This step locks in those mouthwatering flavors.

• Slow Cook to Perfection

Transfer the meat to your slow cooker and splash in some liquid – chicken broth or apple juice works magic. Let the pork get cozy and cook low and slow until it’s so tender it practically falls apart with a gentle touch. This could take 8-10 hours on low heat or 5-6 hours on high.

• Shred and Devour

Once the pork is gloriously tender, pull it out and shred it using two forks. Mix in some extra sauce to keep things juicy. Pile the pulled pork onto your favorite bread, stuff into tacos, or scatter over rice for a meal that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Tips For Juicy Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Low-Sodium Friendly: Replace regular BBQ sauce with homemade low-sodium sauce using tomato paste, vinegar, and spices to control salt content.
• Smoky Alternative Rub: Swap traditional spice mix with smoked paprika, chipotle powder, and brown sugar for a deeper smoky-sweet profile.
• Lean Protein Option: Choose pork tenderloin instead of shoulder for a healthier, lower-fat version that still delivers incredible tenderness and flavor.
• Meal Prep Magic: Pulled pork freezes beautifully for up to 3 months – portion in airtight containers for quick future meals that taste freshly made.

Fun Ways To Serve Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Barbecue Sandwich Delight: Stack pulled pork on soft hamburger buns with creamy coleslaw for a classic southern-style sandwich that'll make taste buds dance.
• Loaded Nachos Adventure: Spread pulled pork over crispy tortilla chips, sprinkle with melted cheese, jalapeños, and fresh cilantro for a crowd-pleasing game day treat.
• Hearty Rice Bowl Creation: Layer tender pulled pork over steamed white rice, top with pickled onions, green onions, and a drizzle of tangy sauce for a satisfying meal that combines comfort and flavor.
• Breakfast Breakfast Twist: Transform leftover pulled pork into a morning masterpiece by adding it to scrambled eggs, stuffing inside breakfast burritos, or topping crispy hash browns for a protein-packed start to the day.

Juicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 8-10 hours
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Succulent pulled pork sings with Southern comfort in this easy slow cooker masterpiece. Rich layers of spice and tender meat invite home cooks to savor classic barbecue flavors with minimal kitchen effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4.5 lbs (2 kg) pork shoulder (boneless or bone-in)
• 2 tsps salt
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing, optional but recommended)
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth or apple juice
• ½ cup (120 ml) BBQ sauce (for extra flavor, optional)
• Extra BBQ sauce (for serving)
• Buns, tortillas, or coleslaw (depending on how you serve it)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly pat pork shoulder dry with kitchen towels, creating an optimal surface for seasoning and flavor absorption.
2. Spice Blend: Craft a robust dry rub by blending spices, ensuring a comprehensive and complex flavor profile that will permeate the meat.
3. Seasoning: Massage the aromatic spice mixture meticulously across the entire pork surface, guaranteeing an even, intense coating that promises depth of flavor.
4. Searing: Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet with olive oil at medium-high temperature, developing a rich caramelized exterior that locks in profound taste and creates a golden-brown crust.
5. Slow Cooking Setup: Transfer the bronzed meat to the slow cooker, adding chicken broth, apple juice, and barbecue sauce to create a moisture-rich environment that will tenderize and infuse the pork with multilayered flavors.
6. Transformation: Cover and cook on low temperature for 8-10 hours, allowing the meat to become incredibly tender and develop a mouthwatering consistency.
7. Finishing: Carefully deconstruct the succulent meat using two forks, pulling the proteins into delicate strands and incorporating additional barbecue sauce and cooking liquid to maintain optimal moisture and intensify the taste experience.
8. Serving: Present the pulled pork as a versatile centerpiece for various dishes, including sandwiches, tacos, rice bowls, or as a sumptuous protein accompaniment that promises to delight the palate.

Notes

• Moisture Management: Pat the pork shoulder completely dry before seasoning to help develop a perfect crispy exterior and enhance spice absorption.
• Searing Secrets: Always sear the meat before slow cooking to lock in robust flavors and create a delicious caramelized crust that elevates the entire dish.
• Temperature Precision: Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours to guarantee ultra-tender meat that effortlessly pulls apart and remains incredibly juicy.
• Flavor Boosting: Reserve some cooking liquid and mix with additional barbecue sauce when shredding to maintain maximum moisture and intensify taste profile.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 8-10 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg