Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: Tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy pork is slowly cooked in a homemade barbeque sauce that easy and always a crowd pleaser. Topped with optional homemade coleslaw.
I live in the south y’all–that is why I said, y’all, in case you were wondering!
And in the south, particularly the Carolinas were I currently reside, BBQ essential to life and always causes a bit of controvery over who does it better.
Personally, I am a HUGE fan of anything smoked. Um yum.
But I don’t have a smoker (yet–maybe one day)
So instead when I am at home I opt, for low and slow and hands-off–AKA my slow cooker.
Throw in a homemade barbeque sauce that is not ladened with high fructose corn syrup, but is still sweet and spicy, well I am in HEAVEN.
I often make BBQ Chicken drumsticks in the slow cooker, but also adore barbeque pork.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Barbeque pulled pork loin is the ultimate go-to.
These barbeque sandwiches are super easy, inexpensive, and a crowd pleaser–who doesn’t like BBQ?!!
Especially good with grilled fries, grilled corn and baked beans and you have a meal that anyone will devour!
Don’t like pork–use any cut of boneless, skinless chicken you like!
To me it is genius to serve this pork topped high with creamy coleslaw.
But if you don’t like coleslaw on your sandwich, serve it on the side. If you have never tried the combo, I promise you it takes a great sandwich and makes it out of this world!!!
How to use leftover pulled pork:
If you are lucky enough not to be feeding an army and have leftovers, top baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes with the leftover meat or make a Grilled BBQ Pizza.
You can also freeze the leftover barbeque pork in 2-3 cup portions for up to 3 months. Pull out of freezer for a quick dinner.
To reheat frozen pork: let pork thaw out overnight in fridge. Place in 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 pork if needed.
I am telling you this is a great dinner to have going in the summer as well when you want to spend the whole day at the pool and come home famished. Or when you have slaved away at work all day and don’t want to turn the oven on or even think about dinner–it is done for you!! Or even for a party! Such a crowd pleaser!
Tips for Homemade Crock-Pot Pulled Pork:
- My favorite cut of meat for pulled pork is a boneless pork loin. You can use a pork butt or pork tenderloin if you would prefer. Cook a pork butt for an additional 2 hours (10-12 hours on low) and the pork tenderloin for 2 hours less (4-6 hours on low).
- My recipe for pulled pork is gluten-free. So you can serve this barbeque meat over potatoes or on gluten free buns for an easy gluten-free bbq pork recipe.
- If you would like to use your favorite store-bought barbeque sauce instead of my homemade version, the cooking directions will be the same, but you would use 3 lbs pork loin, 1 onion, and 2 cups barbeque sauce along with 1/2 cup additional liquid (like apple juice, beer or stock.)
Recipe for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Easy homemade barbeque pork sandwiches made in crock pot.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless pork loin trimmed of fat
- 1 onion diced
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbs paprika
- 1 tbs onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbs chili powder
- 1 cup apple juice or chicken stock or beer
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey or brown sugar
- 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
Instructions
-
Place onion in crock pot and lay pork on top of onion. Combine the dry spices and cover pork with the mixture. Combine the juice, vinegar, honey, and tomato sauce (and feel free to use less sugar). Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Shred with 2 forks and stir the meat into the juices. Serve.
And here is hands down the BEST creamy coleslaw I have EVER had (and my husband agrees who frequents BBQ places.)
Recipe for Homemade Coleslaw:
Homemade Coleslaw
Simple old fashioned coleslaw recipe. Perfect for a side dish or topping barbeque pork with.
Ingredients
- 1 head green cabbage
- 1 onion
- 1-2 large carrots
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1/4 cup Hellman's Mayo
- 1 tsp vinegar I use apple cider to compliment pork
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
-
Using a food processor, shred the cabbage, carrot and onion. Toss together. (Or you can thinly slice the cabbage and finely dice the onion and shred the carrot if you don't have a food processor.) Mix together remaining ingredients and stir into cabbage mixture.
-
Best after refrigerating for 1 hours.
Now invite some friends over and enjoy.
Sunday Supper Easy BBQ Recipes
Best Burgers and Sandwiches
- Barbecue Rib Burgers with Low Carb Sauce by My Life Cookbook
- Caribbean Jerk Chicken Burgers by Simple and Savory
- Guava-Ale BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich by Gourmet Everyday
- Turkapple Burgers with Yumback Sauce by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Grill Master Mains
- Grilled Red Snapper with Cilantro and Onion Stuffing by Food Lust People Love
- Honey Glazed Chicken Kabobs by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Homemade Coleslaw by A Mind Full Mom
- Spicy Grilled Leg of Lamb by Sunday Supper Movement
Mop Worthy Sauces
- Blueberry Sriracha Barbecue Sauce by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Homemade “End of Season” Ketchup by What Smells So Good?
Searing Starters and Sides
- Campfire Corn and Tomatoes by Cricket’s Confections
- Grilled Lime Beer Ritas with Smoky Lime Salt by Our Good Life
- Honey Chipotle BBQ Wings by Soulfully Made
- Pork Satay with Peanut Sauce by Asian In America
Sizzling Sweets
- All-American Pie Shooter Trio by The Crumby Cupcake
- Flourless Fudge Brownies by Pies and Plots
- Grilled Peaches with Mascarpone by Caroline’s Cooking
- Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Mini No Bake Coconut Cheescakes by Jonesin’ For Taste
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My husband would love this! Only hiccup for me is mayonnaise is not something we have on hand. Is there anyway around it? Any substitution?
Julie,
I often use just plain yogurt (Greek or regular). My husband prefers a bit of mayo, but I prefer it with just yogurt. Hope that helps!
Pulled pork is a staple in our house. Pinned and stumbled!
Is this sauce more of a Carolina-style barbecue or Texas-style barbecue?
Hey Rachel, if I was to categorize the bbq, I would lean more towards Kansas City style because the sauce is sweeter and thicker than a more vinegar base style as Carolina or dry rub as Texas bbq
Thanks! I’ve never heard of Kansas City style, but I guess that’s probably what I’m looking for because the Texas barbecue I know isn’t a rub; it’s a red sauce. 🙂 But it’s the thick & sweet, so that must be it. I’m looking forward to trying this one!
(I’m not a big fan of Carolina BBQ, but I’m from Virginia. That’s all anyone sells here.)
Well enjoy it 🙂
Do I have to leave the crockpot on low? I only have 7 hours.
Feel free to set to high. It will be ready on 5-6 hours but will be fine at 7 hours.
I just LOVE a good pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw! 🙂 This looks delicious.
Thanks Carrie! This is one of my favorites!
This is one of my favorite summer meals…and since we’re in early spring, it’s time to get making this. Fantastic.
Michelle, Spring can’t get here fast enough!! I can’t wait to be hanging out with my friends eating BBQ outside!!
Still drooling looking at this.
🙂
My husband loves pulled pork so I am always looking for new recipes to try! Can’t wait to try yours out.
I hope he loves it. The coleslaw topping is what makes it in my opinion.
March Madness recipes always go over great in my home. This recipe is so well done. Homemade coleslaw is so much easier to make than people think. Great post and pics.
March Madness food is just pure comfort and indulgence 🙂
Suggestions for how to do this best w an akward gas cooker? ( doesnt really have a low setting) weve just moved to remote island, and ive forgotten how to cook without a crockpot!
A remote island–fun!! But without a low setting, the best thing I can offer, is to cook pork with apple juice until pork starts fall apart. Then add in tomato sauce and honey and cook for a very short period of time. That way it will not scorch. Good luck!
You can also cook in oven at 300 degrees for 3 hours if you have an oven. I would rub it with dry rub and put some water or stock in bottom of pan. Then cook BBQ until boils and then pour over shredded pork.
I agree, when it comes to a pulled pork sandwich I’m all about that slaw!
It is really the ONLY way I want to eat it!
Slaw and pulled pork go perfect together!
They sure do!
Such a great meal for a crowd
Always a hit with NO effort!
We have a famous place here in Pittsburgh that puts fries and coleslaw on their sandwiches but the coleslaw is more of a vinaigrette. I’ll have to give this a try at home….I like how you use the greek yogurt! Looks delicious!
Interesting. I love a vinegary slaw for tacos, but creamy all the way for BBQ 🙂
This looks like one perfect meal to me! I love eating my pulled pork smothered in coleslaw, too!
Thanks Liz! It is pretty good!
I LOVE Carolina barbecue sauce. Both kinds!! I will definitely be trying this one.
YAY!!! Enjoy!
I totally need this right now!
I think you do too 😉
Hey Kristen!! I LOVE that you added Instant Pot directions for this pulled pork–’cause I just got one for Christmas and have never used one! QUESTION: Other than the extra apple juice, Do you put everything in the same way as the crockpot directions (onions first and rub the dry spices on the pork and then the mixed up liquids) ?
WE’ve made this in the crockpot before and it was delicious!
Oh Susan, you are going to LOVE your Instant Pot.
And yes, you can put onions in first or on top of pork…it won’t make a difference in this recipe.
Thanks!! It was DELICIOUS! And easy!