Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

from cookingcrusade.com
Dinner
300 kcal / serving

Juicy pulled pork with "Southern Comfort Pulled Pork" elevates classic barbecue flavors to mouthwatering heights. Tender, smoky meat melts in your mouth, promising a delicious journey through Southern culinary traditions that will satisfy your deepest comfort food cravings.

Ingredients

  • 4 ½ poundspork shoulder (or pork butt) (boneless or bone-in)
  • 2 teaspoonssalt
  • 1 tablespoonsmoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoongarlic powder
  • 1 tablespoononion powder
  • 2 tablespoonsbrown sugar
  • 1 teaspoonblack pepper
  • 1 teaspoonground cumin
  • ½ teaspooncayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil (for searing, optional but recommended)
  • 1 cupchicken broth or apple juice
  • ½ cupbbq sauce (for extra flavor, optional)
  • extra bbq sauce (for serving)
  • buns, tortillas, or coleslaw (depending on how you serve it)

Directions

  1. 1

    Meticulously pat the pork shoulder with clean kitchen towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a perfect surface for seasoning.

  2. 2

    Craft a robust spice blend by thoroughly combining dry rub ingredients in a mixing vessel, creating a complex flavor profile.

  3. 3

    Massage the aromatic spice mixture comprehensively across the entire pork surface, guaranteeing an even and intense coating.

  4. 4

    Ignite a heavy-bottomed skillet with olive oil, bringing it to a shimmering medium-high temperature to develop a rich caramelized exterior.

  5. 5

    Strategically sear the seasoned pork on all surfaces, generating a golden-brown crust that locks in deep, multilayered flavors.

  6. 6

    Gently transfer the gloriously bronzed meat into the slow cooker’s ceramic basin, preserving its hard-earned caramelization.

  7. 7

    Pour a liquid foundation of chicken broth or apple juice into the cooking vessel, creating a moisture-rich environment for tenderizing.

  8. 8

    Enhance the developing flavor profile by introducing a generous splash of tangy barbecue sauce, infusing the meat with additional complexity.

  9. 9

    Secure the slow cooker lid and allow the pork to transform, cooking on low temperature for approximately 8-10 hours until incredibly tender.

  10. 10

    Carefully extract the succulent meat and deconstruct it using two forks, pulling the proteins apart into delicate, manageable strands.

  11. 11

    Incorporate additional barbecue sauce and reserved cooking liquid to maintain optimal moisture and intensify the taste experience.

  12. 12

    Present the pulled pork as a versatile centerpiece for sandwiches, tacos, rice bowls, or as a sumptuous protein accompaniment.