This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is the perfect blend of tender, juicy, and flavorful. It’s a dish that’s incredibly easy to make, yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the hard work, allowing the meat to cook low and slow until it’s fall-apart tender. Whether you’re serving it in sandwiches, tacos, or on its own, the result is always delicious.
Best of all, the ingredients are simple. You likely have most of them in your pantry already. The combination of savory spices and a hint of sweetness brings out the best in the pork, while the long, slow cooking process locks in all the flavors. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe. You can adjust the seasoning or add your favorite BBQ sauce for a personalized touch.
Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prepping, this pulled pork is sure to be a hit!
What Makes This Recipe So Good?
- Set It and Forget It: The slow cooker does all the work, making this recipe incredibly easy.
- Perfectly Tender Pork: Cooking low and slow ensures the pork is fall-apart tender.
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses simple pantry staples you probably already have.
- Versatile Uses: Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, nachos, or served with sides.
- Customizable: Adjust the spices or add BBQ sauce for a personalized flavor.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Great for leftovers, and it freezes well.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for family gatherings, parties, or even weeknight dinners.
Key Ingredients
- Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt): This cut is perfect for slow cooking, as it becomes incredibly tender and juicy.
- Onion: Adds flavor and depth to the dish as it cooks alongside the pork.
- Garlic: Provides a savory kick that enhances the overall taste.
- Paprika: Adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor to the pork.
- Brown Sugar: Balances the savory spices with a touch of sweetness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Helps tenderize the pork and adds a subtle tangy flavor.
- BBQ Sauce (optional): For a classic BBQ pulled pork, mix in your favorite sauce at the end.
Chefs Helpful Tips
- Sear the roast – Searing the beef before slow cooking adds a rich, deep flavor to the dish.
- Use the low setting – Cooking on low heat for a longer time makes the meat more tender and juicy.
- Add vegetables later – For firmer vegetables, add them during the last 2-3 hours of cooking.
- Don’t lift the lid – Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid too often; it releases heat and extends cooking time.
- Use fresh herbs – Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme elevate the flavor, especially if added toward the end.
- Thicken the gravy – For thicker gravy, remove some liquid, mix it with cornstarch or flour, and return it to the slow cooker to simmer.
- Rest the meat – Let the roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to settle in the meat.
- Deglaze the pan – After searing the roast, deglaze the pan with broth or wine to scrape up the flavorful browned bits.
- Choose the right cut – Use a chuck roast for its perfect balance of fat and connective tissue, which results in a moist and tender roast.
- Trim excess fat – Trim large chunks of fat from the roast to avoid an overly greasy dish.
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Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Tender & Juicy Recipe
Description
This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is the perfect blend of tender, juicy, and flavorful. It's a dish that's incredibly easy to make, yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The slow cooker does all the hard work, allowing the meat to cook low and slow until it’s fall-apart tender. Whether you're serving it in sandwiches, tacos, or on its own, the result is always delicious.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Prepare the Pork
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub the paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) all over the pork.
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Layer the Slow Cooker
Place the sliced onions and minced garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
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Add the Pork
Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic.
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Add Liquids
Pour the apple cider vinegar around the pork. If you'd like extra moisture, add 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth.
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Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
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Shred the Pork
Once the pork is done, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Using two forks, shred the pork into pieces.
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Optional BBQ Sauce
If desired, mix the shredded pork with BBQ sauce for a more classic flavor. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker to soak up any remaining juices.
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Serve
Serve the pulled pork on buns, in tacos, or as a main dish with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 320kcal
- Calories from Fat 180kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20g31%
- Saturated Fat 7g35%
- Cholesterol 100mg34%
- Sodium 450mg19%
- Potassium 450mg13%
- Total Carbohydrate 12g4%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 9g
- Protein 25g50%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
