Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork -

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This easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is packed with BBQ flavor, tender and juicy, and beyond simple to prepare. Just add everything to the crockpot in about 5 minutes and after a few hours, it becomes the perfect hands-off meal for parties, weekend dinners, or entertaining. Serve it as a sandwich, by itself, on top of salad, or even nachos, it’s a recipe that’s extremely versatile.

slow cooker bbq pulled pork finished and shredded in slow cooker

We cannot get enough of the slow cooker in our house — it’s truly the MVP of mealtime (I’ve said this before!). There’s nothing like coming home from a long day to irresistible, juicy, fall-apart pork that’s ready to eat, and this easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is exactly that. Easy to prep in the morning with minimal effort, simply add everything to a crock pot, set it, forget it, and you’ve got a delicious dinner for that night.

Juicy pork gets cooked low and slow in a rich, sweet and savory BBQ sauce, then turns into tender, fall-apart meat that’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, and so much more. No-fuss and foolproof, this recipe for slow cooker bbq pulled pork is one to have in your rotation. Great to make ahead and enjoy as leftovers, we love this crockpot barbecue pulled recipe for game days, parties and cozy Sunday dinners — and we have a feeling you will, too.

If you like this easy BBQ main, try some of our other cookout favorites. These Pulled Pork Sliders are always a hit and we love these Barbecue Chicken Skewers for summer entertaining.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-off Cooking: This recipe is foolproof and no-fuss — the crock pot does all the work for you, so just set it, forget it, and serve later.
Feeds a Crowd: Pork shoulder or pork butt is very affordable, so pulled pork is a great way to feed a large group without breaking the bank.
Smoky Flavor Without a Smoker: Thanks to the depth of flavor from the BBQ sauce and spices, plus low-slow cooking, this pork has that deep, smoky flavor without the hassle of using a smoker.
Versatile: This pork works for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, baked potatoes, and so much more.
Great For Meal Prep and Leftovers: Having leftovers is a bonus! The pork freezes beautifully, so it’s great to have on hand for meal prep.

slow cooker bbq pulled pork ingredinets on counter

Ingredients

Pork Shoulder: Or pork butt, use bone-in or boneless. Cooked low and slow, it becomes super tender and juicy.
BBQ Sauce: Sweet, savory and tangy, use your favorite thick homemade or store-bought variety.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Slightly sour and acidic to balance out the sweetness.
Chicken Broth: To loosen the sauce.
Brown Sugar: For sweetness.
Dijon Mustard: Hot and sharp, pairs nicely with the brown sugar and BBQ sauce.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Added flavoring.
Chili Powder: For a subtle smokiness.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami notes.
Onion: Aromatic flavoring that melts into the meat.
Salt & Pepper: Season generously, the pork can handle it.

How To Make Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

1. Place the sliced onion in the bottom of a slow cooker and place the pork shoulder on top.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the pork.

brown sugar, bbq sauce, spices and onion on pork butt in slow cooker

4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 5–6 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender.

cooked pork butt in slow cooker with juices and sauce

5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with two forks, discarding any excess fat.
6. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and toss with the cooking juices until evenly coated.

slow cooker bbq pulled pork shredded into big pieces

7. Serve immediately on buns, slider rolls, baked potatoes, or over rice.

Expert Tips

Cook Low and Slow: Don’t rush the process — low and slow is key to super tender meat. Never cook this on high.
Bone-in vs Boneless: Either work nicely, but boneless can sometimes fit better into the base of a slow cooker, whereas bone-in pork butts often have an irregular shape. Both cook down beautifully, so it’s a win-win!
Test For Doneness: You’ll know the pork is ready when a thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 195°-205°, or when you insert a fork into the meat and twist, it turns easily without force.
Add Liquid Gradually: You actually need less broth than you think — a little goes a long way. Add it gradually to prevent the bottom from scorching, but you’ll notice you don’t need a ton, as the pork will release moisture naturally.
Broil or Pan-Sear After Shredding: Once the pork is cooked, broil in the oven for a minute or sear on the stovetop for crispy, caramelized bits.

Ways To Serve Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

The beauty of this pulled pork is that it can be enjoyed so many different ways. Here are some of our favorites.

Classic BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich: The classic, traditional way — serve it piled onto a soft bun with coleslaw.
Pulled Pork Tacos: Served in tortillas with pickled onions.
Loaded Pulled Pork Nachos: Layer it onto crunchy tortilla chips with all the fixin’s.
Pulled Pork-Stuffed Baked Potatoes: Top a fluffy baked potato with tender meat to make it a full, hearty meal.
Pulled Pork Pizza: A delicious pie topping. Add pineapple, too, for a Hawaiian flavor twist.

Storage

Store leftover pork in an airtight container or resealable bag in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat on the stovetop gently over medium-low heat with a splash of broth or extra BBQ sauce to loosen, if needed.

Leftover pork can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving, and reheat as instructed above.

This is a great make-ahead recipe for meal prep. Prep it in advance so it’s ready later in the day, or make it ahead of time, portion out, and store in the fridge and freezer for a future meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pork loin instead of pork shoulder?

You can, but you’ll have to adjust the cook time and method slightly. Pork loin is much leaner with far less collagen and fat than pork shoulder, so it can dry out easily. Use more liquid during the cooking process, cook it for a shorter time, and chop or shred it immediately to keep it as juicy as possible.

How do I prevent it from being too dry?

Cook it low and slow (not on HIGH), be sure to add liquid so there’s a steaming effect, don’t overcook it, and mix it with any pan juices when you shred it.

Can I cook this overnight?

Yes, as long as you cook it on the low setting it can cook slowly for 8-11 hours.

What’s the best store-bought BBQ sauce to use?

We recommend using a thick, sweet-savory, tangy BBQ sauce for the best flavor and texture.

Can I make this without a crock pot?

Yes you can use a similar method with a dutch oven on the stove over low heat, or in the oven at a low temperature. Alternatively, you can use an instant pot – just be sure to follow the advised instructions.

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