Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Crock Pot Pulled Pork is such an easy and delicious weeknight dinner. Made with just a few simple ingredients, you will adore this delicious recipe.

Side view of a Crock Pot Pulled Pork sandwich garnished with bbq sauce - 4

I love slow cooker recipes so much. They make life so much easier! They are even better when they come together with just a few ingredients.

This crock pot pulled pork is so simple to make, and it is absolutely delicious with my homemade BBQ sauce. You are going to love the combo of the pork and sauce. It makes for the perfect pulled pork sandwich.

Overhead view of raw pork shoulder and small bowls of seasonings on countertop for Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe. - 5

How to Make Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot

Here is a brief overview of how this crock pot pulled pork recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Season the pork. Mix all the ingredients for the pork rub in a small bowl. Spread it generously on all sides of the pork shoulder and refrigerate for four to eight hours (or overnight).
Cook the pork. Add the pork to your slow cooker and cook on low for seven to eight hours. Cooking it on low for a longer period of time keeps the pork super tender.
Make the BBQ sauce. Combine all the ingredients for the barbecue sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Shred the pork and enjoy! Once it’s done cooking, remove the pork from the slow cooker, discard any large pieces of fat, and shred the meat. Return the shredded meat to the crock pot to keep warm or make sandwiches topped with BBQ sauce and enjoy right away.

The Best Slow Cooker

Best Cut of Meat

In this recipe we are using a pork shoulder. It can go by other names such as pork butt or Boston butt. These are technically different cuts of pork, but come from the same general area on the pig. They work fantastic in this recipe and result in a fall apart meat, that is what you are looking for when making pulled pork.

Overhead view of a bowl of seasoning for Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe with a whisk beside - 6

Pork Rub

This pork dry rub, which is a blend of spices, salt, and brown sugar, not only adds a burst of flavor that enhances the overall flavor of the pork once it’s slow-cooked. Allowing the rubbed pork to rest in the refrigerator overnight gives the spices plenty of time to penetrate into the meat. This marination process also helps to tenderize the pork, breaking down fibers and resulting in a more tender and juicy pulled pork when it’s cooked low and slow in the crock pot.

Pork Rub

Overhead view of a slow cooker with seasoned pork shoulder for Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe - 7

Homemade BBQ Sauce

I absolutely love the flavor of my homemade BBQ sauce recipe , and it is perfect on top of pulled pork sandwiches! It comes together with simple ingredients and can be made ahead of time.

If you prefer to skip making your own sauce, you can use 2 1/2 cups of your favorite bottled BBQ sauce.

Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe

slow cooker of Crock Pot Pulled Pork - 8

Making Pulled Pork Sandwiches

We love to make pulled pork sandwiches with this BBQ pork! Add a heaping scoop of the slow cooker pulled pork to hamburger buns or brioche buns and top with BBQ sauce. Pickles or coleslaw are delicious on top.

Coleslaw Recipe

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store any leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the microwave on half power or on the stovetop over low heat until heated through. Leftover pulled pork would be delicious on nachos like my BBQ Chicken Nachos !

For best results, reheat meat with plenty of the sauce added to it. As with all recipes, use your best discretion when it comes to leftovers.

Overhead view of a slow cooker of Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe - 9

What to Serve With Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Here are a few delicious sides that pair perfectly with slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches.

Easy French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Creamed Corn Recipe

If you make this BBQ pulled pork crock pot recipe or any of my other recipes, I’d love to hear what you think and how you enjoyed it!

Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
Newsletter

Ingredients

3 pounds pork shoulder

Pork Rub

3 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt

BBQ Sauce

1 1/2 cups brown sugar (319.5 grams)
1 1/2 cups ketchup (352.5 grams)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (119.29 ml)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Four to eight hours before you plan on cooking the pork, make the pork rub. Mix all the ingredients for the pork rub in a small bowl. Spread it generously on all sides of the pork. Refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours (or overnight). 3 pounds pork shoulder, 3 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Spray the crock pot with cooking spray. Add the pork. There is no need to add any liquid. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.
Towards the end of the cooking time, make the BBQ sauce. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups ketchup, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper
At the end of the cooking time, remove the pork from the slow cooker. Using 2 forks, shred the meat, discarding large pieces of fat. Return the shredded meat to the crock pot to keep warm, or make sandwiches right away, topping them liberally with BBQ sauce.

Notes

did you make this