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Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes » Pork Recipes » The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Posted August 10, 2018 Last Updated March 13, 2020 by Jennifer // 305 Comments**This post may contain affiliate links**

The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Filed Under: Pork Recipes, Reader Favorites, Slow Cooker Recipes

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How to make The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork! Everyone is sure to love this amazing slow cooker pulled pork. The perfect blend of spices make it tender and so flavorful.pulled pork sandwich on a black plate with a gray checked napkin in the background

How to make The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is a big claim but I can tell you I’ve tried a lot of pulled pork recipes and this one is at the top of my list! So simple yet plenty of flavor! This has been enjoyed as sandwiches, as tacos, as nachos and even just on it’s own. Short of going through a major process of slow smoking the meat, this slow cooker version will be your new favorite and the best go-to option for slow cooker pulled pork without all the work! And it’s perfect for busy days when you need to have a meal for entertaining. I’ve made this many times for many crowds, and it’s always gone by the end of the night.

This recipe has also been converted for those of you that love pressure cookers and it’s pretty amazing if I do say so myself!

glass bowl of spice blend for slow cooker pulled pork

What makes this the best slow cooker pulled pork?

Just the right blend of spices (most you should have on hand) rubbed into a pork shoulder roast make for a flavorful meat that has a tiny bit of kick but is generally mild enough for even picky eaters. Want some bold flavor? Up the spices to your liking… if you like spicy you can up the cayenne!! And I love setting out several different types of BBQ sauce so that everyone can make their own flavor combos.

Check out my video showing you just how easy it is to make this slow cooker pulled pork recipe:

pork shoulder rubbed with spices in a slow cooker to make slow cooker pulled pork

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?

  • pulled pork is generally made using pork shoulder
  • there are two pieces to the shoulder usually available at the store – the butt and the picnic shoulder
  • the first generally works the best, but I’ve had great results with the picnic shoulder too

What is also love is that…..

There is no need to brown anything up ahead of time which makes this a quick start meal.

How long do you cook pulled pork in a slow cooker?

Throw it in early in the day and let it slow cook for at least 8 hours (or even longer) for best results.

For meat like this to properly shred, it needs to reach an internal temperature of 205 degrees F. It will seriously fall apart. If your meat is hard to shred, it’s not done yet.

pulled pork in a black slow cookerA little bit of apple cider vinegar goes in here too and it really does the trick to break down the meat to make it more tender plus gives it just the right zip of extra flavor. I haven’t tested it another way, but I’m guessing apple juice would work well also.pork shredded in a slow cooker with the pulled pork shredder claws

A few of my favorite sides to serve up alongside this pulled pork are:

  • Mexican Street Corn Salad
  • Southwest Pasta Salad
  • Grilled Baked Potatoes
  • Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
How to make The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork! Everyone is sure to love this amazing slow cooker pulled pork.  The perfect blend of spices make it tender and bursting with flavor!

The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

How to make the best slow cooker pulled pork! The perfect homemade spice blend makes it great for sandwiches, tacos and more!!
3.7 from 1059 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 150kcal
Author: Jennifer Draper

Ingredients

  • 4 pound pork shoulder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika ((try smoked paprika for more of that smoked flavor))
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup water

Instructions

  • Mix together all of the dried spices and rub into all sides of the pork
  • Place vinegar and water in bottom of slow cooker
  • Carefully add pork (so you don't wash off spices)
  • Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours
  • Remove pork and shred (remove any large fatty pieces and discard)
  • Add juices from slow cooker as desired

Notes

Tip 1: Save a bit of seasoning and toss it with cooked pulled pork to add extra kick (but just a tad, you don't want to ruin the delicious flavors of the meat!)
Tip 2: If you want brown crispy ends you can put shredded meat on foil lined baking sheet and broil for a couple of minutes in the oven (watch carefully!)

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 351mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1.4mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag us Today!Mention @slowcookergourmet or tag #slowcookergourmet!

Click here to convert to Instant Pot. Amazing Instant Pot Pulled Pork is everything it claims to be! Amazing!

pulled pork sandwich on bun on black plateUseful tools for making this pulled pork include:

  • pulled pork shredder claws
  • meat thermometer (a great investment if you cook any types of meat, I use mine almost every day)

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brenda Hartman says

    January 15, 2021 at 10:03 pm

    Do the left overs freeze well?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 15, 2021 at 10:30 pm

      Yes they do!! Double wrap to protect from freezer burn.

      Reply
  2. Terri says

    January 3, 2021 at 8:06 pm

    We absolutely love this recipe. Makes great tacos too! I will never use any other recipe for pulled pork.

    Reply
  3. Rich says

    December 16, 2020 at 10:11 pm

    I do this recipe every year for a work party and the guys love it! Most of them have said it’s the best pulled pork they have ever had!

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 6, 2021 at 8:04 am

      Yay!

      Reply
  4. Will says

    December 12, 2020 at 10:19 am

    How long would you cook on high if you are in a time crunch?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      January 6, 2021 at 8:06 am

      I don’t really recommend it for this recipe, but you could start it on high for the first 2 hours then switch to low and that might cut off a little time.

      Reply
  5. Monique Rose says

    November 8, 2020 at 1:41 pm

    Hi, looking forward to trying this recipe for the first time tomorrow night. I have a 7lb pork shoulder. How much longer do I have to cook it in the crockpot?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      November 9, 2020 at 11:02 am

      Hi Monique! I would try to cut it into smaller pieces, otherwise it might cook unevenly. How long it will take will depend on several things, but I’d start it on high for a couple of hours then switch to low. It’s don’t when it reaches an internal temp of 205 degrees F.

      Reply
      • Laura says

        December 12, 2020 at 7:53 am

        This is a great recipe! Thank you for sharing. If my pork shoulder is double the size, do I double all the ingredients? Thank you!

        Reply
        • Jennifer says

          January 6, 2021 at 8:06 am

          yep I would double

          Reply
  6. Fleur says

    October 25, 2020 at 8:33 pm

    Does the vinegar taste through the recipe my grandson’s friend made a pulled pork recipe and all I could taste was the vinegar

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      October 26, 2020 at 1:16 pm

      I’ve never noticed a vinegar flavor and have never gotten any feedback that it’s been an issue.

      Reply
  7. Ornella says

    September 29, 2020 at 5:18 pm

    Hello, do you leave the pork rind on the roast when you make this recipe or do you take it off?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      October 4, 2020 at 8:45 pm

      Do you mean like the netting? I took it off.

      Reply
  8. Vickie Griffin says

    August 14, 2020 at 4:32 pm

    Jennifer, if I cut the ingredients to half for the 2.38 pound pork shoulder do I keep the apple cider vinegar and water the same amount or cut that in half also? The cooker I have is a large one not sure what size but I’m worried about the liquid content and the cook temperature and time. Sorry not an very experienced cooker.

    Reply
  9. Sue Wilson says

    June 19, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    This has been my go to recipe for Pulled Pork for years. Every time I take it to share, I get asked for the recipe. I do not use any of the brown sugar though as I do not care to add sugar unless it’s necessary for the recipe, and this one is fine without it.

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      June 21, 2020 at 9:37 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing Sue! I’m so glad you love it and it’s good to know it works well without the sugar!

      Reply
      • Jessica Lapinski says

        June 29, 2020 at 1:34 pm

        Will regular vinegar work?

        Reply
        • Jennifer says

          July 3, 2020 at 7:17 am

          If you use regular vinegar I suggest reducing by half as it’s much stronger with a different flavor profile.

          Reply
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Author Hi! I'm Jennifer and I believe that everyone deserves wonderfully delicious meals. Join me as I show you simple ways to make wholesome dinners and more in your slow cooker.
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