Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
If you love my #1 post, The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, then you’ll love this BBQ pulled pork version too! With simple seasoning, this recipe takes only minutes to prepare and cooks all day for fall apart tender, juicy pork oozing with tangy sweet sauce.
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For all of you lovers of BBQ I’ve got a recipe for you! Perfect for a family dinner that you know your kids will devour and equally as perfect for taking along to a pot luck, this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is quick and easy and comes out perfectly every time.
You only need 5 ingredients and less than 10 minutes to assemble this meal in your slow cooker. So much easier than smoking a grill all day and the results are just as amazing.
Cook on low for at least 8 hours until the pork becomes fall apart tender.
You can serve this up as sandwiches, wraps, salads and more for a versatile meal your family and friends will love.
Ingredients Needed
- pork shoulder, also known as pork butt – can be bone-in or boneless
- herb and garlic seasoning (check the ingredients, if yours does not contain salt, add 1/2 teaspoon to recipe)
- chicken broth or stock
- apple cider vinegar
- your favorite BBQ sauce (I love Sweet Baby Ray’s because it has great flavor and is nice and thick)
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
- remove packaging and any netting from the pork – if there is a large amount of fat you can trim a little off if desired
- season well with herb and garlic seasoning
- Place in slow cooker
- Whisk together sauce ingredients
- Pour all of sauce over pork, cover and cook
Cooking Notes
This will produce a lot of liquid as it cooks, no need to add any extra other than the sauce
If you are cooking a very large piece of pork and need it to cook more quickly, you can cut it into 2-4 smaller chunks
If using a pork shoulder with bone, carefully remove all bone pieces before shredding
What temperature to cook pulled pork?
- pulled pork, whether made in the oven, on the grill, or in the slow cooker, is best cooked on a low and slow temperature
- somewhere in the range of 190 to 250 degrees F depending on the method used
- another important temperature to note is the internal temp of the pork shoulder
- to shred easily pork should reach an internal temperature of 205 degrees F (I use an Instant Read Thermometer)
How to Shred a Pork Shoulder
How to Shred a Pork ShoulderWhen the pork is done it should almost be falling apart. Use tongs to remove it to a separate bowl.
Use forks or meat claws to shred by starting in the middle and pulling apart until fully shredded.
Use a ladle to add back a little of the juice left over from cooking, but not too much or it will become soggy.
If the pork does not shred easily, it likely is not cooked enough. Return to slow cooker until it reaches an internal temp of 205 degrees F.
What can you make with pulled pork?
What can you make with pulled pork?So many things!!
- regular sandwiches like these (I love to top them with coleslaw!)
- Mac & Cheese
- tacos
- nachos
There are so many possibilities!
Do you let pork rest before pulling?
yes! It’s really best to let it rest for 15-20 minutes to let the juices redistribute before cutting or pulling the meat. You can cover loosely with butcher paper or foil.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons herb and garlic seasoning
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Rub pork shoulder with seasoning and place in slow cooker
- Mix together bbq sauce, vinegar and broth and add to slow cooker
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 until pork reaches internal temperature of 205 degrees
- Remove pork and shred
- Add about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of the juices back to pork and discard the rest
- Add additional BBQ sauce if desired
Notes
- you can use bone-in or boneless pork shoulder (pork butt)
- if the herb and garlic seasoning you use does not contain salt, add 1/2 teaspoon to recipe
- cook pork to an internal temp of 205 degrees F
- pork should shred easily when fully cooked
- remove all bones (if applicable) before shredding
Wow. What a great pulled pork recipe. I made it for Sunday dinner and we have zero leftovers left. Will be on repeat for sure. Thanks for the recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Trying this tonight! Do you notice a difference if you cook it slow vs high? I am considering mostly doing slow until the last hour or 2 so speed up the process since we’re cutting it a little close to dinner time.
Thanks! (:
Yes, there’s a noticeable difference between slow and high settings. Cooking on low for 8–10 hours results in more tender, flavorful pork. Using high for 4–5 hours works, but the texture may be slightly less juicy. Starting on low and switching to high in the last hour or two is a good compromise if you’re short on time.
I have only made this once before ( I’m making it tonight) but ever since that first time, my family has not stopped asking me to make it again! Great recipe & very simple & easy to remember. Thanks so much for sharing!!!!
I’ve only made this once before (making it again tonight!), but ever since that first time, my family hasn’t stopped asking for it! Such a great recipe—simple, easy to remember, and absolutely delicious. Thank you so much for sharing!
Incredible!
First time I found a recipe I didn’t have to change. One of the best bbq pulled pork I’ve ever had.
So glad you loved it! That means a lot—thank you for sharing! 😊🍖🔥
Since finding it, this has been our go-to recipe for Pulled Pork for quite some time now! So easy yet so tasty. We’re always asked to make it during our camping trips, both our grandkids and friends say it’s also the best they’ve had. Thank you so much sharing!
That makes me so happy to hear! I love that it’s become a staple for your camping trips—nothing beats good food shared with family and friends! Thank you for your kind words and for making it a part of your traditions!
do you have your own coleslaw recipe? maybe add a link or the recipe as part of the sandwich construction.