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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is the ultimate easy dinner recipe! Seasoned to perfection with an irresistible dry rub and cooked low and slow, this crockpot pulled pork recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Whether served as an entree with a side of Homemade Baked Beans or Cucumbers and Sour Cream, used to make BBQ Pizza, or layered on a bun with Homemade Creamy Coleslaw, you can't go wrong with the flavor in this pulled pork recipe!
Hands-Off Pulled Pork Recipe
This Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it recipe.
There is no need to sear the pork, dice the pork, or trim the pork! Simply season the pork with simple (yet incredible) homemade dry rub, pop it into the slow cooker in the morning and by suppertime you will be well on your way to enjoying flavorful, tender pulled pork!
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
You will find the full list of ingredients, along with quantities in the recipe card. Below is a quick glance at what you need and tips to help you make the right selection.
- Pork Roast: When it comes to creating irresistibly juicy, tender, succulent pulled pork, the cut of pork roast you use is key. I recommend using a pork butt or pork shoulder, as both are highly marbled. The fat will render off as the pork cooks, creating insanely flavorful results. For a leaner option, use pork loin (not pork tenderloin).
- Dry Rub: Made with smoked paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, this homemade dry rub is sweet, savory, smokey, and slightly spicy--exactly what the flavor in pulled pork should be.
- Apple Juice: Apple juice lends a flavor reminiscent of being applewood smoked. Pineapple juice, chicken stock, beer, root beer, or even water can be used in place of apple juice.
- Onion: Optional for flavor.
How to Make the Best Crockpot Pulled Pork
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Season Pork. Combine the brown sugar and spices together and then use that to liberally coat the pork roast.
- Layer Ingredients. Place the onion on the bottom of the crockpot. Add the seasoned pork roast to the crockpot. Pour the apple juice (or liquid of choice) around the pork.
- Slow Cook Pork. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. You can opt for high heat to shorten the time if needed, but I find that the pork is juicier and more tender when cooked on low.
- Shred Pork. After slow cooking the pork, it is time to pull the pork, or shred the pork, to make pulled pork. The crockpot makes pulled pork so tender, it will fall apart easily. You can use two forks to shred the meat or place the pork in a stand mixer to make quick work of pulling the pork.
Kristen's Tip
The cooking liquid will tend to be on the greasy side when using a pork shoulder and pork butt. If desired, you can strain and chill the cooking liquid. Once chilled, use a spoon to scoop out the consolidated fat. Use that strained liquid to add flavor (not grease) to the pulled pork and for storing leftovers.
Recipe Modifications
- Omit the Brown Sugar: While the brown sugar adds a nice flavor and helps balance out the savory spices in the dry rub, you can opt to omit it to keep this recipe free from refined sugars
- Change up the Seasonings: I love the sweet and spicy dry rub used in this pulled pork recipe, as it adds an incredible flavor to the pork However, you can opt to replace the dry rub with 2 tablespoons of homemade seasoned salt or adobo seasoning.
- Add Liquid Smoke: Add up to 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to add subtle, smokey undertones to the pulled pork.
- Swap Pork for Chicken: Use my recipe for Crockpot Pulled Chicken using chicken breasts for a leaner version with similar flavor.
- Use an Instant Pot: Follow my tried-and-true recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork for fabulous results.
Serving Suggestions
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork can be served in endless ways and it makes a ton! Enjoy it one night as a main course and then make sandwiches, pizzas, quesadillas, etc. Below are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy this crockpot pulled pork.
- BBQ Sandwich: Dish the pulled pork out onto buns, drizzle with BBQ sauce, and top with homemade creamy coleslaw.
- BBQ Pizza: Add shredded pork to homemade pizza dough, drizzle with BBQ sauce, cover with shredded cheddar cheese, and bake for a fun spin on pizza night.
- Pulled Pork Loaded Baked Potato: Top an Instant Pot Baked Potato, Air Fryer Baked Potato, or Instant Pot Sweet Potato with a scoop of the pulled pork and top with cheese, sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, and diced green onions.
- BBQ Pork Salad: Replace the chicken in BBQ Chicken Salad, with some slow cooker pulled pork that has been tossed with BBQ sauce.
- Pulled Pork Tacos: Serve crockpot pulled pork in warmed tortillas topped with cheese and creamy coleslaw.
- Make a Quesadilla: Layer pulled pork and shredded sharp cheese between two homemade flour tortillas and toast in a dry skillet until the cheese has melted.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Allow to cool, transfer to an airtight container, and cover with the reserved cooking liquid. That liquid will help to keep the pulled pork juicy for days! Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Transfer the pork, along with a generous scoop of cooking liquid, to an airtight freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Defrost in the fridge overnight if needed. Reheat the pulled pork, along with some of the cooking liquid, in a dry skillet over medium heat until warmed through or in a microwave-safe dish until warmed through.
More Favorite Crockpot Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Crockpot Pulled Pork
Video
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast (pork butt) , or pork loin
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, or regular paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup 100% apple juice
- 1-2 cups barbecue sauce, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
- Remove the pork roast from the packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork roast, generously coating.
- Lay out the diced onion on the bottom of the slow cooker, pour in 1 cup 100% apple juice, and place the seasoned pork on top of the onion.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Once the pork has reached 200-210℉ (97-100℃) remove it from the slow cooker and place it into a large bowl and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain cooking sauce over a large bowl to remove onions. If you want to remove some of the fat that rendered into the cooking liquid, place the liquid in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, then scoop the solidified fat off the liquid.
- Add ¼ cup of the cooking liquid over the pork, and shred the pork using 2 forks, a handheld kitchen mixer on medium-low speed, or a stand mixer on low speed with a paddle attachment. Add in additional cooking liquid and/or barbecue sauce as desired.
- You can opt to place the shredded pork back in the crockpot and keep on warm for 2-3 hours if desired. Serve as desired.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hello There! Do you know how do I adapt this recipe to an instant pot? Thank you!
Hi Shana! I actually have a recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork. Enjoy!
Hello! What if your needing it done sooner then 8-10 hours in the slow cooker? Can I place it on high for so long after it’s been on low for a while?
Yes! That should work Kari!
My oh my, that was absolutely delicious! Love from Holland 🙂
Thank you so much sharing! So glad you enjoyed!
Do I have to use apple juice or beer
Hi Faye! You can use water or beer, but the apple juice will complement the rub. I hope you enjoy!
So half the recipe is missing??? I saw nothing about honey, tomato sauce or apple cider vinegar til I saw the video on pinterest AFTER I MADE IT
Hi Rhi! Sorry if anything was confusing for you, but the full recipe is in the recipe card, there is no tomato sauce or honey in this particular recipe. However, there are modifications for cooking in a homemade sauce. Cook the pork in a mixture of 1 cup of apple juice mixed with 1/4 cup of honey, 1/4 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.
Just lovely family loved it, will deffo be making this again
I love hearing that Ann-Marie! Thank you so much for sharing.
This is one of my all time favorite pork recipes!
I am so glad you enjoyed this so much Justine! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.
Love the simple homemade BBQ sauce. So easy and good!
It is so much simpler to make than most people think!
We love pulled pork and it is so much easier to make it in the slow cooker than my prior method!
This is PERFECT for a summer potluck or get-together! So easy and delicious!
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!