The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
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.
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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!
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:
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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.
A 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.
A few of my favorite sides to serve up alongside this pulled pork are:
Make sure to save the leftovers for Easy Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese.
The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
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
- Add extra kick: save a bit (don't overdo it) of seasoning and toss it with cooked pulled pork.
- For brown, crispy ends, put shredded meat on foil lined baking sheet and broil for a couple of minutes in the oven (watch carefully!)
- Shred meat with 2 forks, potato masher, shredder claws, or electric mixer.
- If meat is difficult to shred, it's not done yet. Put it back in the slow cooker for a bit longer.
Nutrition
Click here to convert to Instant Pot. Amazing Instant Pot Pulled Pork is everything it claims to be! Amazing!
Useful 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)
used a pre mixed rub, liquid smoke and 1/2 bottle of beer instead of water. backed off too much heat spices to allow eater to step it up to their own taste. removed from cooker when bone was able to be pulled out
This is THE best pulled pork recipe ever! I’ve made this about 11 times and it goes down such a treat. Thank you so much for posting this!
Not salty at all, perhaps JB cannot measure. This turns out perfect every time.
Best pulled pork ever. My family loves it. Using smoked paprika gives just a hint of smokey flavor.
Thanks Dean! So happy to hear you enjoy it!
Can you use this recipe with beef?
I’m sure you could, likely with some adjustments to the seasonings to better fit the beef, but I haven’t tested this to be able to give you a solid answer.
Can you use pork loin instead of butt or picnic?
A few people have and have been pleased, but for best results I recommend a pork butt/shoulder.
My pork is around 7 1/2 pounds. I’m just wondering if I will need to cook it longer? And should I double all of the seasonings and apple cider/water mixture.
I’d cut it into smaller pieces first so it will cook a little more evenly. I would double the remaining ingredients.
I made this exact as the recipe except used corse sea salt and regular paprika. Amazing!! Love the little bit of heat on taste. Will definitely make again. Thanks!
I made the recipe and very disappointed. Too salty . Don’t recommend.
Hi yes try this method it works great do it all the time then in the morning pop it into your slow cooker and enjoy
Have you ever let the dry rub sit on the meat for a day before putting in in the crock pot? Sort of like a marinade? Thinking of doing it but not sure if it’ll be okay!
I have made it ahead of time like that just to save myself some time with no issues!
Does this need to be covered completely with liquid as it cooks? My husband tells me to cover it with water..
Nope! Just the amount called for in the recipe. You could cut pork into smaller pieces if you wanted to keep it more covered.