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The Ultimate Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork: Smoky, Tender & Irresistible

4.58 from 14 votes

Barbecue Pulled Pork

By:

Julia Pacheco

This barbecue pulled pork is smoky, tender, and slow-cooked to perfection—great for sandwiches, sliders, or loaded bowls. It’s an incredibly easy recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it ideal for family dinners, game day gatherings, or meal prepping.

Prep:

10 minutes

Cook:

7 hours

Total:

7 hours

10 minutes

Servings:

7
servings

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Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting the most incredible Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork! This recipe is a true game-changer, promising incredibly tender, juicy, and flavor-packed pulled pork with minimal hands-on time. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, preparing for weekly meals, or simply craving some comforting BBQ, this recipe is designed for ease and deliciousness. The magic happens slowly, as the pork simmers in a savory blend of barbecue sauce and soda, resulting in meat that practically melts in your mouth and shreds effortlessly.

Why You’ll Love This Pulled Pork Recipe

Effortless Preparation: Simply combine a few ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do all the work.
Unmatched Tenderness: Slow cooking ensures the pork becomes incredibly soft and easy to shred.
Rich, Smoky Flavor: The barbecue sauce infusion, aided by the soda, creates a deep, satisfying taste.
Versatile Serving: Perfect for classic sandwiches, sliders, tacos, nachos, baked potatoes, or even alongside your favorite side dishes.
Feeds a Crowd: This recipe yields a generous amount, making it ideal for parties and gatherings.
Great for Meal Prep: Leftovers are fantastic and can be easily reheated for quick meals throughout the week.

Ingredients

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4-5 lbs pork loin half roast (Alternatively, a pork shoulder or pork butt can be used for even richer, fattier results. If using loin, ensure it’s not overcooked to prevent dryness.)
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2 cups barbecue sauce (Your favorite brand or homemade, preferably a smoky and tangy variety.)
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1 ¼ cups Dr Pepper soda , (or root beer, or even cola. The soda adds a subtle sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.)
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7-8 Hamburger buns (For serving, or use slider buns, brioche buns, or even lettuce wraps.)
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Optional: Dry Rub (For enhanced flavor, consider rubbing the pork with a mix of 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper before adding to the slow cooker.)

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Instructions

Prepare the Pork: If desired, pat the pork roast dry with paper towels and season generously with your optional dry rub. For an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful crust, you can sear the pork in a hot pan with a tablespoon of oil for 2-3 minutes per side before placing it in the slow cooker. This step is optional but highly recommended.
Slow Cook: Carefully place the prepared pork roast into a large slow cooker. If your roast has a fat cap, position it fat side up; this allows the fat to slowly render and baste the meat, adding moisture and flavor. Pour the barbecue sauce evenly over the pork, followed by the Dr Pepper (or root beer). Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, or on HIGH for 5-6 hours. The pork is ready when it is fork-tender and shreds easily. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and the size/cut of your pork, so always check for tenderness.
Shred the Pork: Once the pork is cooked to perfection, remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board or in a shallow dish. Keep all the delicious juices in the slow cooker; these will be used to keep your pulled pork moist and flavorful. Using two forks, an electric hand mixer (on low speed for a few seconds), or a meat masher, shred the pork into desired consistency. The meat should pull apart effortlessly.
Combine & Serve: Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker, tossing it thoroughly with the cooking juices and any remaining sauce. This ensures every strand of meat is coated in that incredible barbecue flavor and stays wonderfully moist. Serve immediately on hamburger buns. If you prefer a saucier sandwich, don’t hesitate to add an extra drizzle of your favorite barbecue sauce. Enjoy your perfectly tender and flavorful pulled pork!

Tips for the Best Pulled Pork

Choose the Right Cut: While pork loin works, pork shoulder (also known as pork butt or Boston butt) is typically the preferred cut for pulled pork due to its higher fat content and connective tissues. These break down during slow cooking, resulting in incredibly moist and flavorful meat. If using a leaner cut like loin, be careful not to overcook it to prevent it from drying out.
Don’t Skip the Searing (Optional but Recommended): Searing the pork before slow cooking adds a deep, caramelized flavor and a beautiful crust that enhances the overall taste.
Keep the Juices: The liquid left in the slow cooker is packed with flavor. Always return the shredded pork to these juices to keep it moist and infuse it with even more BBQ goodness.
Adjust Sweetness/Spiciness: Taste your barbecue sauce and adjust with a pinch of brown sugar for more sweetness or a dash of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick, if desired.
Rest the Meat: While not strictly necessary for slow-cooked meat, letting the pork rest for 10-15 minutes after removing it from the slow cooker (before shredding) can help redistribute juices, making it even more tender.

Serving Suggestions for Pulled Pork

Barbecue pulled pork is incredibly versatile! Here are some ideas to serve it beyond the classic hamburger bun:

Sliders: Use smaller buns for mini sandwiches, perfect for appetizers.
Tacos or Burritos: Serve in warm tortillas with coleslaw, pickled onions, and a squeeze of lime.
Loaded Baked Potatoes: Spoon over a hot baked potato with cheese, sour cream, and chives.
Nachos: Pile on tortilla chips with cheese, jalapeños, and all your favorite nacho toppings.
Salad Bowls: Serve over a bed of mixed greens with your favorite vegetables for a healthier option.
Pasta or Mac and Cheese: Stir into creamy mac and cheese for a hearty, comforting meal.
With Side Dishes: Enjoy alongside coleslaw, potato salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, or cornbread.

Variations to Try

Spicy Pulled Pork: Add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the slow cooker along with the sauce.
Smoked Pulled Pork: If you have access to a smoker, you can partially smoke the pork before transferring it to the slow cooker for an authentic smoky flavor.
Different Sodas: Experiment with root beer, cola, or even ginger ale for slightly different flavor profiles.
Apple Cider Vinegar Kick: A splash of apple cider vinegar added after shredding can brighten the flavors and add a tangy zest.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This slow cooker pulled pork is fantastic for making ahead of time. It reheats beautifully and the flavors often deepen overnight.

Refrigeration: Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the pulled pork (with some of its juices/sauce) in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, in the microwave, or back in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting until heated through. Add a little extra barbecue sauce or broth if it seems dry.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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