Tender Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork: A Must-Try Recipe!
Introduction
Few dishes capture the spirit of comforting, crowd-pleasing food quite like BBQ pulled pork slow-cooked to perfection. This recipe delivers incredibly tender, juicy pork infused with smoky barbecue flavor—and all with minimal hands-on effort. Whether you’re hosting a summer backyard bash or prepping for easy family meals, this slow cooker pulled pork promises to be a hit.
Why This BBQ Pulled Pork Stands Out
The magic of this pulled pork lies in its fall-apart texture and rich, tangy barbecue flavor that seems to get better with every bite. Low and slow cooking ensures each shred is moist and flavorful, while a simple but effective homemade rub provides depth you won’t find in store-bought versions. Serve it piled high on buns, over rice, or tucked into taco shells—the versatility makes it an ideal main for any occasion.
Essential Prep for Perfect Pulled Pork
Start by trimming excess fat and applying a generous spice rub to your pork shoulder. For uniform slicing and dicing of onions, use a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper—this ensures even cooking and adds extra convenience to your prep.
Place your prepped pork and onions in the slow cooker, pouring in your chosen barbecue sauce and a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness. Letting the pork cook on low for 8 hours allows the meat to baste in its own juices, guaranteeing tender, shreddable results.
Tips for the Best Shredded BBQ Pulled Pork
When your pork is fully cooked, the key to perfect pulled pork is proper shredding. For effortless and mess-free shredding, a Chicken Shredder Tool Twist is invaluable, letting you quickly break down the meat right in the slow cooker.
Once shredded, return the pork to the sauce and stir to ensure every strand is coated. If you plan to crisp up the edges, transfer shredded pork to a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet and let it caramelize for a few minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions & Storing Leftovers
Serve your BBQ pulled pork on toasted buns, in tacos, or atop salads for a lighter touch. For easy meal prep and storage, portion leftovers into Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers—perfect for workweek lunches or freezing for later.
Add tangy slaw (made quick with your veggie chopper), crispy pickles, and a drizzle of extra barbecue sauce for a complete, irresistible meal.
Nutritional Information and Yield
This recipe serves approximately 8 hungry guests, with each portion offering roughly 350–400 calories (depending on sauce and serving style). High in protein and rich in flavor, this is satisfying comfort food at its best.
Ultimate Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork (Recap)
Experience the true taste of classic barbecue with this melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork, rescued from hours spent laboring over a smoker thanks to your slow cooker. Its flavorful rub, effortless shredding, and endless serving options make this a foundational recipe for any home cook seeking both flavor and simplicity.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and cayenne in a small bowl. Rub this seasoning mix all over the trimmed pork shoulder.
- Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to finely dice the onion, and scatter it in the base of your slow cooker.
- Place seasoned pork on top of the onions. Pour in barbecue sauce and apple cider vinegar around the pork, not directly on top.
- Cover and slow cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4–5 hours) until pork is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.
- Transfer pork to a large bowl. Use a Chicken Shredder Tool Twist or two forks to shred the meat.
- Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix well with the juices and sauce.
- For crispy edges, transfer shredded pork in batches to a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet and cook over medium-high for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve on toasted buns or tortillas, topped with slaw and extra barbecue sauce if desired. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers in the refrigerator.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Enjoy the irresistible, smoky-sweet goodness of this tender slow cooker BBQ pulled pork—a recipe guaranteed to satisfy all your barbecue cravings!