Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs boneless pork shoulder roast
pork butt
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
or regular paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 onion
diced
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1-2 cups barbecue sauce
optional
Directions
- 1
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, cayenne, and brown sugar together.
- 2
Remove the pork roast from the packaging and pat it dry with a paper towel. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork roast, generously coating.
- 3
Lay out the diced onion on the bottom of the slow cooker, pour in the apple juice, and place the seasoned pork on top of the onion.
- 4
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- 5
Remove the pork roast from the slow cooker and place it into a large bowl and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
- 6
Strain cooking sauce over a large bowl to remove onions. If you want to remove some of the fat that rendered into the cooking liquid, place the liquid in the freezer for 5-10 minutes, then scoop the solidified fat off the liquid.
- 7
Add 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid over the pork, and shred the pork using 2 forks, a handheld kitchen mixer on medium-low speed, or a stand mixer on low speed with a paddle attachment. Add in additional cooking liquid and/or barbecue sauce as desired.
- 8
You can opt to place the shredded pork back in the crockpot and keep on warm for 2-3 hours if desired. Serve as desired.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 59 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving fall-apart tender, flavorful pulled pork without the fuss? This slow cooker recipe delivers succulent, perfectly seasoned pork with minimal hands-on time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or feeding a crowd.
This recipe truly shines because it leverages the magic of low and slow cooking in your crockpot. By letting the pork shoulder or loin gently simmer for hours, it breaks down tough connective tissues, resulting in an incredibly tender texture that practically shreds itself. The carefully balanced dry rub, featuring smoked paprika, garlic, onion, and a hint of cayenne, infuses the meat with a deep, complex flavor from the inside out.
Expect a mouthwateringly tender pulled pork that's rich in savory, aromatic spices, with a subtle sweetness from brown sugar and a delicate tang from apple juice. The optional barbecue sauce adds another layer of classic flavor, making this versatile dish a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. This effortless cooking method ensures that even beginner cooks can achieve restaurant-quality results, yielding flavorful pork that's juicy and melts in your mouth.
Customize this dish to your liking. While boneless pork shoulder roast (pork butt) is classic for its marbling and richness, you can also use pork loin for a leaner option. If you don't have smoked paprika, regular paprika works well, offering a milder flavor. The barbecue sauce is entirely optional—feel free to omit it for a more savory, spice-forward profile, or add your favorite variety for a saucier finish.
This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is incredibly versatile, perfect for piling high on sandwiches, stuffing into tacos, or serving alongside your favorite picnic salads. Its hearty nature makes it a comforting main course for any gathering.