Easy crockpot pulled pork recipe! Simple bbq pulled pork and homemade spice rub. You won’t believe this came from the slow cooker!
Traditional barbecue pulled pork can be a thing of beauty, but most people don’t have a smoker or the time to make it at home. This crockpot pulled pork recipe lets you make amazing barbecue pulled pork right in your slow cooker.
This crockpot pulled pork is super easy to make – it only takes about 5 minutes of prep! The pork cooks low and slow all day long, and you get to come home to tender, juicy restaurant-quality barbecue pulled pork .
What Is The Best Cut Of Meat For Pulled Pork?
Fatty pieces of pork work well for making pulled pork. I like to use either a boneless shoulder, butt, or picnic roast. Lean cuts of pork, such as a pork loin or pork tenderloin, don’t work well for making pulled pork.
How To Make Pulled Pork In A Crockpot
Stir the spice rub ingredients together and set aside. Place the pork in a greased slow cooker insert.
Be sure to remove any netting from the pork. Drizzle the liquid smoke over the pork and rub on the spice rub.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or until the pork shreds easily with a fork. If the pork doesn’t shred easily, keep cooking until it does.
Shred the pork and drain any accumulated juices from the insert.
Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker insert and stir in barbecue sauce.
Tips For Making Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork
- Boneless cuts of pork such as butt or shoulder work well in this recipe. I don’t recommend using pork tenderloins, though, because they will dry out with this extended cooking time.
- Spicy: If you like some kick to your bbq, feel free to add ancho chile powder or cayenne pepper to the spice rub. You can also add hot sauce along with the barbecue sauce if you prefer.
- Don’t trim the fat from the pork before cooking. This recipe doesn’t use liquid, and the fat helps to keep the meat from drying out as it cooks.
- Barbecue sauce: I like to use my Kansas City-style or Dr Pepper barbecue sauce with this recipe. However, you can use whatever type of barbecue sauce you prefer.
Ways To Use Crockpot Pulled Pork
Pulled pork can be used in a number of ways beyond sandwiches. It is fantastic on barbecue nachos, on top of baked potatoes, or even on pulled pork pizza.
How To Store
Leftover pulled pork can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
More Easy Crockpot Recipes!
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Crockpot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
Spice Rub
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Pork
- 2-3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt1
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Mix the spice rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Lightly grease the slow cooker insert with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add the pork to the insert.
- Drizzle the liquid smoke over the pork.
- Rub the spice mixture over the pork.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours or until the pork shreds easily.
- Shred pork, and drain the liquid in the slow cooker insert.
- Return pork to slow cooker, and stir in barbecue sauce.
Notes
- Be sure to remove any netting from the pork if there is any.
- Feel free to add ancho chile powder or cayenne pepper to the spice rub if you like a little kick.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
happy mom says
Oh my, this was scrumptious. Loved having leftovers.
Kate says
Thank you! I’m so glad to hear that! And yes! We love having leftovers with this, too. =)
Mary Victor says
What is liquid smoke? Can I substitute it with something else
Kate says
Liquid smoke is a liquid flavoring that adds a smoked flavor to foods. It’s usually sold near barbecue sauce. If you don’t want to have to buy liquid smoke, you can omit it. The liquid smoke gives it more of the traditional smokiness, but it should still be good without it.
Chowhound says
Love it! So easy and good.
Kate says
Thank you! Happy to hear that. Thanks for commenting!