Name: Ultimate Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tender & Flavorful
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 h
Total time: 10 h 30 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp salt; 1.5 cups BBQ sauce; 2 tbsp olive oil; 4 lbs pork shoulder (or pork butt), trimmed of excess fat

This Ultimate Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is tender, juicy, and bursting with smoky, tangy flavors. Perfect for sandwiches or tacos, it’s an easy, hands-off recipe that delivers melt-in-your-mouth pork with a rich BBQ sauce, ideal for gatherings or meal prep.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This slow cooker pulled pork is a crowd-pleaser that delivers tender, fall-apart meat with minimal effort. The combination of a smoky, sweet, and tangy BBQ sauce with perfectly seasoned pork makes it irresistibly delicious, whether piled high on buns, stuffed in tacos, or served over rice. The slow cooker does all the work, infusing the pork with bold flavors while you go about your day. It’s perfect for family dinners, game-day feasts, or meal prepping, offering versatility, affordability, and enough servings to feed a crowd or enjoy leftovers all week.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Choose the Right Cut: Pork shoulder or butt is ideal for shredding due to its fat content and tenderness after slow cooking.

Sear for Depth: Browning the pork before slow cooking enhances flavor with a rich, caramelized crust.
Trim Excess Fat: Remove large fat pieces before cooking to avoid greasy results, but keep some for flavor.
Don’t Overcrowd: Ensure the pork fits comfortably in the slow cooker for even cooking.

Shred Warm: Shred pork while warm for easier pulling; use two forks or a stand mixer for speed.
Skim Fat: After cooking, skim fat from the sauce for a cleaner, less oily finish.
Adjust Sauce: Taste and tweak BBQ sauce sweetness or tanginess before serving to suit your preference.

Rest Before Serving: Let pork rest in sauce for 10-15 minutes after shredding to absorb flavors.

Yield: 10 servings

Ultimate Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tender & Flavorful

Tender slow cooker pulled pork with smoky BBQ sauce, perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or meal prep.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 hours

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 10 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

¼ cup brown sugar
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp smoked paprika

1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp salt
1.5 cups BBQ sauce
2 tbsp olive oil

4 lbs pork shoulder (or pork butt), trimmed of excess fat

Instructions

Season the Pork: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Sear the Pork: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork on all sides for 6-8 minutes until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, combine BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and chicken broth. Stir until smooth.
Add Sauce to Slow Cooker: Pour the sauce mixture over the pork, ensuring it’s well-coated. Lift pork slightly to let sauce pool underneath.
Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, until pork is fork-tender and easily pulls apart.

Remove and Skim: Transfer pork to a large bowl. Skim excess fat from the sauce in the slow cooker.
Shred the Pork: Using two forks or a stand mixer, shred the warm pork into bite-sized pieces.
Combine with Sauce: Return shredded pork to the slow cooker, stirring to coat evenly with sauce. Let rest for 10-15 minutes.

Taste and Adjust: Taste the pork and add more BBQ sauce or seasoning if desired for extra flavor.
Serve and Enjoy: Pile high on buns for sandwiches, stuff into tacos, or serve over rice with your favorite sides!

Notes

Use pork shoulder or butt for the best texture; avoid lean cuts for shredding.

Adjust BBQ sauce sweetness or tanginess to suit your taste.
Sear in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the skillet.
Store leftovers promptly to maintain freshness.

This recipe can be adapted for gluten-free or low-sugar diets with simple swaps.

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 653Total Fat 42gSaturated Fat 15gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 23gCholesterol 163mgSodium 801mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 1gSugar 19gProtein 43g

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

Pork Shoulder (3-4 lbs): Also called pork butt, this cut becomes tender and shreddable; trim excess fat if desired.
BBQ Sauce (1.5 cups): Use a smoky, tangy store-bought sauce or homemade for personalized flavor; adjust sweetness as needed.
Apple Cider Vinegar (¼ cup): Adds tangy brightness to balance the richness of the pork and sauce.

Brown Sugar (¼ cup): Enhances sweetness and helps create a caramelized, sticky coating.
Smoked Paprika (1 tbsp): Adds smoky depth without overpowering; regular paprika works but is less intense.
Garlic Powder (1 tsp): Provides savory, umami flavor that complements the pork’s richness.

Onion Powder (1 tsp): Adds subtle sweetness and depth; pairs well with garlic powder.
Olive Oil (2 tbsp): Used for searing pork, adding richness and aiding in browning.
Chicken Broth (1 cup): Keeps pork moist during cooking; low-sodium prevents over-salting.

Salt and Pepper (1 tsp each): Enhances all flavors; season pork generously before searing.

Variations and Substitutions

Meat Swap: Use pork loin for a leaner option, though it may be less juicy; adjust cooking time.
Sauce Variations: Swap BBQ sauce for a Carolina-style vinegar-based sauce or a spicy chipotle blend.

Sweetener Swap: Replace brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Spice It Up: Add cayenne or chili powder for a spicier kick, adjusting to taste.
Broth Options: Use vegetable broth or apple juice instead of chicken broth for a sweeter, fruitier note.

Gluten-Free: Ensure BBQ sauce and broth are gluten-free for a fully gluten-free dish.
Low-Sugar: Reduce brown sugar or use a sugar-free BBQ sauce for a healthier version.
Smoky Boost: Add a few drops of liquid smoke for extra smokiness without a smoker.

Storage Options

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat with a splash of broth or sauce.
Freezer: Freeze in portioned containers for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding extra BBQ sauce to maintain moisture.