The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe - The Kitchen Girl (2024)

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The best slow cooker pulled pork is made with deliciously seasoned pork shoulder cooked low and slow. This juicy, mouthwatering pulled pork will satisfy any crowd! So much flavor, so little effort.

Why you'll love this pulled pork recipe

• Budget-friendly: Pork shoulder is an affordable cut, so it's perfect when making large quantities.
• Easy prep, set it, forget it: With minimal effort, just season, set the slow cooker, and return to a delicious meal. It can even cook overnight!
• Tender, juicy, and flavorful: The method of slow-cooking pork shoulder melts the fat and collagen, resulting in a succulent protein that falls apart when pulled.
• Crowd-pleaser: Make large batches for gatherings with minimal effort and watch it disappear!
• Versatile for various dishes: Pulled pork can be used in sandwiches, tacos, salads, and more.
• Comfort food: There's nothing more comforting than tender, juicy, slow-cooked pulled pork.

This pulled pork recipe makes the best BBQ pork sliders, especially on game day! They're even better served alongside smashed potatoes during the baking season or creamy cucumber salad during the summer!

Ingredients you'll need

• Pork shoulder or pork butt - Look for pork butt, also called Boston butt, or pork shoulder, also known as picnic shoulder. These cuts contain ample connective tissue and fat marbling, which requires long, slow cooking for tender and flavorful results. Boneless cuts may be available at your grocer, but they are likely more expensive.
• Chili powder - Use chipotle powder for spicy pulled pork.
• Garlic powder
• Salt - Use Kosher salt or sea salt.
• Black pepper
• Cooking oil - A high-heat oil is needed to sear the pork shoulder before slow cooking.
• Chicken broth - Or preferred cooking liquid.

How to make pulled pork in a slow cooker

First, pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Cut the mass into smaller pieces for easier handling and trim excess fat, if desired. Then, season the pork on all sides.

Next, I prefer to sear pork shoulder before adding it to the slow cooker because it adds even more umami flavor to pulled pork. You can skip this step and move straight to the slow cooker instructions.

Once seared, transfer it from the skillet into the cooker, along with most of the broth. Use the remaining broth to deglaze the skillet, then add this liquid gold to the cooker.

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Slow-cook the pork shoulder for 6 to 8 hours. It should be fall-apart tender and easy to shred. You can shred it right in the slow cooker or a serving dish, as I did in the photo below.

Recipe tips

• This slow cooker method is ideal for pork butt or pork shoulder since both are marbled with fat that transforms into collagen during the long, gentle cooking cycle. This is what makes it juicy and delectable.
• I find that it's easier to remove extra fat from the pork surface before cooking, which makes serving pulled pork even more convenient.
• After seasoning the pork shoulder, you can cover and refrigerate it for up to 8 hours before cooking for convenience and flavor enhancement.
• Resist the urge to use a high heat setting on your slow cooker. Low and slow cooking softens the connective tissue for tender, juicy pulled pork. Instant Pot pulled pork takes under two hours if you need a quicker method.
• You don't have to shift or turn the pork shoulder during cooking. Set it and forget it!
• The "keep warm" setting on the Crockpot is the perfect environment to hold and serve your shredded pork for several hours.

How to serve slow cooker pulled pork

Pulled pork is so versatile. Enjoy it piled high on hamburger buns with coleslaw and this scrumptious BBQ sauce. Or use it for tacos, pulled pork nachos, totchos, burritos, or even on pizza! Serve pulled pork as an entree with these delicious sides:

• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
• Baked Potato Salad Recipe
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Macaroni Salad

📖 Recipe

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