The best ever BBQ Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker for perfectly tender shredded pork coated with an easy, flavorful sauce.
HOW TO COOK BBQ PULLED PORK IN THE SLOW COOKER
The best cut of meat for pulled pork is a pork shoulder, also referred to as a Boston butt. If you have ever made our country-style pork ribs, this is one of the parts of the pig the "ribs" come from. Before you begin, check to see if there is a fat cap on the pork shoulder. If there is, I hate to break it to you, but you're going to have to do a little prep after all. But, no worries. It's super minimal.
- Trim the fat from the pork butt.
- Make the rub and stir together sauce
- Add sauce ingredients to slow cooker, rub down pork butt and add to slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours.
Looking for another tasty slow cooker recipe? Bookmark Slow Cooker Rump Roast!
1. REMOVE THE FAT CAP
You'll want to remove as much of the fat cap as you can. You see, with BBQ pulled pork cooked on a smoker, the fat drips down into the coals, never to be seen again. But, when you cook BBQ pulled pork in the slow cooker, the fat just kind of hangs around. And, trust me, there's plenty of fat within the pork shoulder. You don't need (or really want) the extra stuff. So grab yourself a sharp knife, and shave that little sucker right off.
2. MAKE THE RUB AND SAUCE
Once your pork shoulder is trimmed, you'll measure out the ingredients for the rub, then for the concentrated BBQ sauce.
This barbecue sauce is the epitome of easy. A little sweet, just the right amount of tangy, and a whole lot of savory. This was exactly the kind of recipe my indoor version of BBQ pulled pork would be modeled after. Easy and no-fuss. We could all use a little more of that, don't you think?
WHY YOU MAKE THE SAUCE (NOT BUY IT)
When pulled pork begins to cook through, it releases a lot of liquid. Therefore, the liquid portion of a standard BBQ sauce needed to be cut back, and other ingredients intensified. It's a little sweet, just the right amount of tangy, and a whole lot of savory. It is perfection.
3. RUB IT, SAUCE IT, THROW IT IN THE POT
Throw the sauce in the bottom of the crock-pot. Rub down the pork and in the slow cooker it goes.
4. HOW LONG TO COOK PULLED PORK IN THE SLOW COOKER
Now for the hard part -- the waiting. You can cook pulled pork for 6 hours on high or 8 hours on the setting low.
Once the pork has reached the point of fork-tender perfection, you won't believe the amount of flavor you built up in your slow cooker with such a minimal amount of prep.
USE PULLED PORK TO FEED A CROWD!
Pulled pork is one of the best proteins for entertaining. It's inexpensive and a little bit goes a long, long way. Plus, this is an over-the-top easy pulled pork recipe. One that doesn't require tons of preparation and takes less than fifteen minutes to get cooking. This is a pulled pork recipe perfect for stress-free entertaining, and it's guaranteed to be the easiest, most flavorful BBQ pulled pork that has ever come out of a slow cooker.
For a stellar way to use up that leftover pulled pork, be sure to check out this pulled pork salad featuring a mix of Romain lettuce, cabbage, dill pickles, crunchy fried onions, and creamy Monterrey Jack cheese! Or, easily turn them into sliders, perfect for game day entertaining! All you need is a couple of bags of slider buns, coleslaw, and pickles to transform this slow cooker pulled pork into a game day win! Please, enjoy!
4 MORE PULLED PORK RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE!
- Leftover Pulled Pork Salad turns pulled pork into an easy salad featuring shredded lettuce, cabbage, french fried onions, with a tangy barbecue dressing and more!
- Pulled Pork Sliders are great for using up pulled pork leftovers! A great kid-friendly dinner idea or an inexpensive way to feed a crowd!
- Pulled Pork Quesadillas are loaded with flavor, over-the-top easy, and require all of 20 minutes to make!
- Pulled Pork Nachos is where BBQ meets Mexican food and the results are everything you could want them to be…and then some more!
BBQ Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 ½ pound boneless pork butt
- 2 tablespoons mustard powder
- ⅓ cup brown sugar, separated
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt, separated
- 1 tablespoon chili powder, separated
- 2 teaspoons black pepper, separated
- 2 teaspoon onion powder, separated
- 1 ¼ teaspoon cumin, separated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, separated
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika, separated
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 2 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Instructions
- Trim away any excess fat from the pork butt. Pat the pork butt dry with a paper towel and make the rub.
- To make the rub, combine 2 tablespoons mustard powder, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoon Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon black powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon of cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and a ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika in a small bowl and mix together. Rub the pork butt all over with the seasoning. Set aside.
- To make the sauce, in a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¾ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and stir to combine.
- Add about half of the sauce to the bottom of the crock pot and set the pork butt inside. Pour the remaining sauce over the pork butt, and turn on the slow cooker.
- Cook for 6 hours on the high setting or 8 hours on the low setting. Shred with two forks, stir the pulled pork so that it is coated in the sauce, serve and enjoy!
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Chris Collins says
Looks so juicy and flavoursome! I've totally gotta try it!!
Kelly Anthony says
Thanks so much, Chris!!!
Janette | Culinary Ginger says
This is mouthwatering pulled pork and even better that it's made in the slow cooker.
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you so much, Janette!!
Jessie says
Mmmmmm....... BBQ Pulled Pork and fresh Coleslaw this is making me so hungry!!
Kelly Anthony says
Mission accomplished 😉 Thank you, Jessie!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I need to get my slow cooker out this absolutely inspired me ..we love barbecue
Sandi says
My husband will love this recipe. He eats pulled pork any chance he gets.
Kelly Anthony says
A true-to-form man 😉 My hubby too!
Tara says
Perfect recipe for a slow cooker! Makes the perfect amount for all the people that come running to eat this yummy meal!
Becky Tarala says
Ooooh, I love trying new sauces on pulled pork and this one looks PERFECT!
Kelly Anthony says
So yummy!
Gloria says
Well, I love my slow cooker and pulled pork. This would be a total hit in our house. So many things you can do with pulled pork. I am counting the ways now.
Lizzy says
Pulled pork is a genius meal to feed a large group. And making it in the slow cooker makes things that much easier! Thanks for sharing!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Lizzy!
Kate says
This looks really great! I like the idea of making a customized sauce that compensates for the liquid released in the crock pot, what a great idea!
Anne Murphy says
I love making pulled pork in a slow cooker - and it's become a staple, here, as the elderly parents enjoy. But you're right about the sauce - and I never thought about that! When I just add a bottled sauce it always comes out with a little less flavor than I expected - it's beiing watered down! I'm going to have to try your seasoning and see how it tstes!
Tatiana says
Mmmm pulled pork. I love bbq. Love. I’ve made pulled chicken bbq in my slow cooker but never pork – I’ll have to give this a try!
Jacqueline Debono says
Your pulled pork looks amazing. I def need to dig out my slow cooker. Haven't used it for a while but now I have a delicious reason to!
Sara says
We love pulled pork in the slow cooker! Your spice blend sounds so delicious - and I love your tips for making this! Definitely a recipe I'll be saving for a more hectic day when I can just set it and forget it!
Nicole says
You can never get enough pulled pork. I love how this could be a great weeknight dinner option or this is something you can make for a tailgate party for a crowd.
Charity says
Omnom! Pulled pork is my "busy week, gotta have leftovers we'll want to eat" food. Looks super delish!
Sara says
I love bbq pork and can't wait to add this to my meal plan. I have a feeling the house will smell awesome when we get home for dinner!
Julie says
I love making huge batches of pulled pork in the crockpot - and then freezing it in individual portions for later. We use it on everything from baked potatoes to mashed cauliflower when we need a quick and easy dinner.
Ana says
The BBQ flavor is amazing! My hubby is a BBQ snob an loved this pork. Thank you for such a great recipe!
Stine Mari says
This pulled pork looks so moist and scrumptious, I would love to try it myself although I don't own a slow cooker!
Amanda says
I'm so glad I came across this recipe! You're right -- that sauce is complete perfection, and the pork is as tender as it gets. Thanks for sharing!
Ramona says
I really want to make this ASAP as it looks amazing. Do you think I could make it in my pressure cooker though as I don’t have a slow cooker. It does have a slow cooking option so I’m really hoping I can as I really want to make this pulled pork this weekend.
Erika says
Slow cooker recipes are my favorite type of meal to make. This looks so yummy!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
Pulled pork in my slow cooker is one of my favourite things! Unfortunately, I had to give away my slow cooker when I moved. Definitely buying a new one! (almost entirely so I can make pulled pork in it again 😉 )
Sophie says
Loved that step “rub it, sauce it and throw it” It is certainly a very practical recipe that I would love to try.
Jenni LeBaron says
Yum, I am totally salivating just looking at this! I adore bbq pulled pork and am totally craving this dish now! Great recipe!
Kacie Morgan says
It really is about time that I splashed out on a slow cooker. Your recipe is making me drool, I need to try it!
Lathiya says
What a fabulous recipe to feed yourself or crowd. It looks so juicy and fabulous. You have given the right reason why to make own sauce than buying.
April says
Such a great way to prepare pulled pork - I can see so many great ways to use it. And that flavor must be simply amazing!
Dennis says
Wow! The idea of BBQ Pulled Pork in the slow cooker is really awesome. I should try making this at home and have a taste of perfectly tender shredded pork.
Elena says
Such an amazing way to feed the crowd! There is so much you can use it for. Love that you use homemade rub, and it has all my favorite spices in it!
Anna says
Wow, this pulled pork looks so good! The meat looks so succulent, and I can almost taste it from over here! Note to self: invest in slow cooker this season so I can enjoy delicious dishes like this one!
Geetanjali Tung says
This looks so moist and juicy. It is sure to be a great meal for any pork lover out there. Love the flavors.. Especially the homemade rub.
Aline says
I love pulled pork with a PASSION and this is THE BEST recipe I've ever tried. We love it!! Thanks, Kelly! xx
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Aline!
Shelley says
Loved all the easy tips and hints along the way to making this recipe - really helpful! And you're so right about pulled pork being a great option for EASY entertaining (especially with the slow cooker - yay)! Thank you so much!
Marisa F. Stewart says
That meat looks so appetizing. It would be perfect for any potluck or family gathering. Oooh! I just thought of tailgating. I know the sandwiches would be gobbled up in no time. I love slow cooker recipes. I'm pinning.
Analida Braeger says
This recipe sounds delicious! I sure regret reading this on an empty stomach. But I could probably have some of this ready by morning 😉
Daniela says
Love and good and flavorful pulled pork! And so easy that ya make it in the slow cooker :)!
Amy says
Wow! This looks fantastic! I love how simple this is to put together. I love my slow cooker and am always on the hunt to find new recipes for it—I’m excited to add this recipe to the list. I’m going to have to make this pulled pork this weekend for Labor Day!
Christina says
Have in slow cooker now. Didn’t realize it was bone in. Will it change the cook time? Smells amazing by the way. Thank u.
Kelly Anthony says
Hi Christina! Yes, I'm so sorry to say that having the bone in will likely make your pulled pork take longer to cook! Hopefully, you had some time to spare 😉
Christina says
outstanding. So delicious. Made for a New Year’s Eve party and gobbled up. Currently have on again for dinner. This is way better then just adding bought bbq sauce to shredded pork! Not going back. So good. .
James Goonan says
Excellent! I’ve already made this several times with consistent results. The last few times, I brined the pork butt overnight. Although this is not necessary with this recipe, I believe it improved the flavor. Thank you!