Name: 5-Ingredient Pulled Pork
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; 1 (18-oz) bottle BBQ sauce (your favorite, about 2 cups); 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 5 lbs boneless pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat; Optional: ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp salt (if your BBQ sauce is low-sodium)

This ultra-simple 5-ingredient slow cooker pulled pork is incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. With just pork shoulder, BBQ sauce, onion, garlic, and a touch of apple cider vinegar, it slow-cooks to perfection for easy shredding. Healthy, low-effort, and perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or bowls!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This 5-ingredient pulled pork is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results with almost zero effort. The pork shoulder becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after hours in the slow cooker, soaking up the smoky-sweet flavors of your favorite BBQ sauce. With only five simple ingredients, it’s budget-friendly, beginner-proof, and naturally gluten-free (with the right BBQ sauce). It’s healthier than takeout because you control the sauce and avoid added preservatives. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, game days, or feeding a crowd—shred it once and enjoy endless possibilities: BBQ sandwiches, tacos, nachos, salads, or bowls. The leftovers taste even better the next day, and it freezes beautifully. Once you try this easy version, it will become your go-to pulled pork recipe!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Use a 6–8 quart slow cooker for best results with a 4–5 lb pork shoulder.
Trim excess fat cap to reduce greasiness, but leave some for flavor and moisture.
For extra tenderness, cook on low for the full time—high works but low yields juicier meat.
Shred the pork right in the crockpot using two forks for maximum sauce absorption.
If your BBQ sauce is very thick, add ¼ cup water or broth to help everything meld.
For crispier edges, broil shredded pork on a sheet pan for 3–5 minutes after saucing.

Yield: 10 Servings

5-Ingredient Pulled Pork

Juicy 5-ingredient slow cooker pulled pork—tender, flavorful, and perfect for sandwiches or bowls!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 (18-oz) bottle BBQ sauce (your favorite, about 2 cups)
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
5 lbs boneless pork shoulder (pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
Optional: ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp salt (if your BBQ sauce is low-sodium)

Instructions

Let’s make the easiest pulled pork ever! Lightly spray your slow cooker with cooking spray—this makes cleanup a breeze.
Layer the flavor base! Place the sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of the crockpot—they’ll melt into the most delicious sauce.
Add the star of the show! Place the trimmed pork shoulder right on top of the onions and garlic—no need to brown it first!
Pour on the magic! Pour the entire bottle of BBQ sauce evenly over the pork, making sure it’s well coated.
Add a touch of tang! Drizzle the apple cider vinegar over the top—it helps tenderize and brightens the flavors.
Season lightly if needed! If your BBQ sauce is low-sodium, sprinkle a little salt and black pepper over everything.
Set it and relax! Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours until the pork is fall-apart tender.
Shred that beautiful pork! Remove the pork to a large bowl or right in the crockpot, and shred it using two forks—it’ll be so tender!
Mix it all together! Stir the shredded pork back into the sauce in the slow cooker—let it soak up every bit of that delicious BBQ goodness.
Serve with joy! Pile the pulled pork high on buns, tacos, nachos, salads, or bowls—add your favorite toppings and enjoy every juicy, flavorful bite!

Notes

This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free BBQ sauce.
For meal prep, portion into containers and freeze for quick lunches or dinners.
Leftovers make amazing quesadillas, sliders, or pizza toppings!

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 659Total Fat 48gSaturated Fat 18gUnsaturated Fat 31gCholesterol 202mgSodium 192mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 2gProtein 53g

The recipes and nutritional information on Crock Pot Meal are for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized dietary advice.

Ingredients Notes

Boneless pork shoulder (also called pork butt): This cut is ideal because it has plenty of marbling that breaks down during slow cooking, resulting in juicy, pull-apart tender meat.
BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade sauce—choose low-sugar versions for a healthier option.
Onion: A yellow or sweet onion adds natural sweetness and depth as it melts into the sauce.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings aromatic flavor—pre-minced works in a pinch but fresh is best.
Apple cider vinegar: Adds brightness and helps tenderize the meat while balancing the sweetness of the BBQ sauce.

Variations and Substitutions

Spicy pulled pork: Add 1–2 tsp chipotle powder, cayenne, or a few dashes of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce.
Low-sugar/keto: Use sugar-free BBQ sauce and skip or reduce any added sweeteners.
Root beer pulled pork: Substitute 12 oz root beer for the apple cider vinegar for a sweeter, caramelized flavor.
Mexican-style: Use salsa instead of BBQ sauce and add cumin, chili powder, and oregano—perfect for tacos.
Hawaiian twist: Add ½ cup pineapple juice and a splash of soy sauce for a tropical flair.
Leaner version: Use pork loin (will be less tender) or trim more fat from the shoulder.
No vinegar: Substitute chicken broth or water if you prefer a milder tang.

Storage Options

Store cooled pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth or extra BBQ sauce to keep it moist. Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months—portion into freezer bags, thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat slowly.