Description
Succulent Dr. Pepper pulled pork delivers a Southern-style comfort meal that melts in your mouth with tangy, sweet barbecue perfection. Slow-cooked meat promises a crowd-pleasing dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 4.5 pounds (2 kilograms) pork shoulder (or pork butt)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Liquid and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 (12 ounces/340 milliliters) can Dr. Pepper (or any cola)
- ½ cup barbecue sauce (plus more for serving)
Instructions
- Thoroughly trim the pork shoulder, preserving a modest layer of fat for enhanced flavor. Meticulously massage the meat with a robust blend of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Create a savory foundation by layering thinly sliced onions across the bottom of the slow cooker. Gently nestle the seasoned pork shoulder atop the onion bed.
- Generously cascade Dr. Pepper and barbecue sauce over the pork, ensuring complete coverage and infusing the meat with deep, caramelized notes.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the pork to transform through a low and slow cooking process. For tender, fall-apart results, cook on low temperature for 8-10 hours or accelerate on high for 4-5 hours.
- Once the pork reaches peak tenderness, transfer it to a spacious cutting board. Utilizing two forks, methodically deconstruct the meat into succulent, delicate strands, carefully eliminating excessive fatty portions.
- Return the shredded pork to its aromatic cooking liquid. Gently fold the meat into the remaining juices, adjusting with additional barbecue sauce to achieve desired moisture and flavor intensity.
- Present the pulled pork as a versatile centerpiece – nestled in soft buns, wrapped in warm tortillas, or cascading over a fluffy baked potato.
Notes
- Choose a well-marbled pork shoulder to ensure maximum tenderness and rich flavor during slow cooking.
- Pat the meat dry before seasoning to help the spices adhere better and create a delicious crust.
- Experiment with different sodas like root beer or cola for subtle flavor variations that complement the pork.
- Use low-sodium barbecue sauce to control salt content and prevent the dish from becoming too salty during long cooking times.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg