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.
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:
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:
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
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¾ 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)
I cut brown sugar in half increased onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Did not return to crock pot. My family loved it. Great summer easy dinner!
It is a very helpful post. Thanks for sharing these ideas I think they are great.
Best rub ever! I’m so glad you shared this!! Only thing we do different is use coconut palm sugar instead of brown sugar. And use 2-3 drops of liquid smoke. This is the only rub we use now!! Thank you!!
That's awesome to hear!
Made it and my husband and I loved it
I'm so glad to hear it!
I can't wait to make this..but I am doubling the size...any idea how much more cook time that would add?
Hi Lori! I'd cut the pork down to 2-4 smaller pieces so that it will cook more evenly if possible. That shouldn't change the cook time much but you'll just want to monitor the internal temp to ensure it reaches 205 degrees F.
Should I cook it on warm, low, or high?
Hi Sandy! See Step 4 of the instructions, you will want to cook on low for about 8 hours. Enjoy!
My whole family loved it
I've made this recipe a few times now and it is such a huge hit with the family. I have a bottle of bbq on the side for people who enjoy a saucy pulled pork experience. So easy and delicious!
So glad you enjoy it!
this recipe is the bomb !! I added a can of crushed pineapples and half can of beer. was amazing...
What can I use if I don't have apple cider vinegar?
You could try lemon juice or white vinegar, but I do really recommend waiting until you can pick up some apple cider vinegar for best results with this recipe.
Jennifer what if my pork shoulder is only about 2.38 pounds do I need to cut the ingredients down any? Please let me know I really want to try this tomorrow. Thank you so much.
Yes I would cut the other ingredients in half and use a smaller (3 quart or so) slow cooker. If you use a larger slow cooker then watch the cooking time as it may cook faster.