Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
I’ll be honest, the main reason I own a slow cooker is for pulled pork. Ha! That may or may not be true. Pulled pork is so easy to make in a slow cooker – it practically makes itself!
I leave the slow cooker on overnight, cooking on low, and wake up to a delicious smelling home. It’s one of the best recipes to make for a crowd. I make it for my friends all the time!
This pulled pork recipe tastes smoky and savory, tender, juicy. It’s just the best in every way!
Let me show you how to make pulled pork in the slow cooker.
If you wanted to make pork in the oven instead of the slow cooker, you can make my Cuban roast pork (lechon asado) which I make with my Cuban mojo marinade. YUM!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The spice mix for the pulled pork is:
- smoked paprika
- brown sugar
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- oregano
- cumin
- salt
- pepper
Other ingredients:
- Dark beer
- Liquid smoke
Recommended For This Recipe
Slow Cooker
This 6 quart crockpot allows you to program your cook time and has a locking lid which is perfect for taking your dish to any get-together.
How To Make Pulled Pork From Scratch
- Make the spice mix. In a bowl, mix together the paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, and salt + pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Prep the pork. Poke holes in the roast with a knife. Place the roast in the ceramic dish of the slow cooker and pour the beer over it. Rub the spice mix over the pork roast and cover the ceramic dish with the lid.
- Cook the pork roast in the slow cooker on LOW for 8 hours, or until fork-tender. Slow cooker times will vary so I’d recommend you check the manufacturer’s instructions for your slow cooker. Once done cooking, remove the bone using tongs. Drain the liquid from the ceramic bowl and save 1 cup of the liquid.
- Shred the pork. Using two forks, pull apart the meat into shreds, removing the fatty pieces (unless you like it, you can leave it in), and taste/adjust seasoning as needed. After shredding the pork, add the cup of liquid back into the ceramic dish and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes. This will result in deliciously moist and tender pulled pork. Serve and enjoy!
If you plan on adding your favorite BBQ sauce to the pulled pork, you can toss the pork in the BBQ sauce in the ceramic dish and leave it on the warm setting until ready to serve. I recommend you use guava bbq sauce or my honey whiskey bbq sauce (scroll down for the recipe).
What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?
I recommend using Boston butt or pork shoulder since they have the most flavor!
How can I eat pulled pork without bread?
Yes! You can serve pulled pork with Sweet u0026 Spicy Honey Cornbread, White Rice, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, and 5-Ingredient Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
How long does pulled pork last in the fridge?
Pulled pork lasts 4-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
Can you freeze leftover pulled pork?
Yes, you can freeze pulled pork for up to 3 months. Make sure to store the leftover shredded pulled pork in a large resealable freezer bag being sure to take out as much of the air as you can before sealing.
Can you make slow cooker pulled pork ahead of time?
Yes, you can place the pork in the ceramic dish of the slow cooker and keep it in the fridge until the next day.
When you’re ready to cook the following day, remove the ceramic dish from the fridge and place it on the slow cooker.
I like to do this the morning before and then on that same day at night, I start cooking late at night (around 11 pm) so the pork is ready by 7 am the following day.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt + pepper to taste
- 5.5 lbs bone-in pork roast, (pork shoulder or Boston Butt)
- 12 ounces dark beer
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
- Guava BBQ Sauce, (or your favorite bbq sauce)
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Slaw
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, and salt + pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Poke holes in the roast with a knife. Place the roast in the ceramic dish of the slow cooker. Pour in the beer and the liquid smoke. Rub the spice mix over the pork roast and cover the ceramic dish with the lid.
- Cook the pork roast in the slow cooker on LOW for 8 hours, or until fork-tender. Slow cooker times will vary so I'd recommend you check the manufacturer's instructions for your slow cooker.
- Once done cooking, remove the bone using tongs. Drain the liquid from the ceramic bowl and save 1 cup of the liquid.
- Using two forks, pull apart the meat into shreds, removing the fatty pieces (unless you like it, you can leave it in), and taste/adjust seasoning as needed.
- After shredding the pork, add the cup of liquid back into the ceramic dish and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes. This will result in deliciously moist and tender pulled pork. Serve and enjoy!
- If you plan on adding BBQ sauce to the pulled pork, you can toss the pork in the BBQ sauce in the ceramic dish and leave it on the warm setting until ready to serve.
Notes
- 1/4 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup honey whiskey (I used Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey)
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Hello thanks for the recipe I have a question. Is it doesn’t tell you when to add in the liquid smoke? Thanks
The recipe has been updated. Thanks for the heads up!
Have you added onion or carrot slices to the cook? Curious on the results before I try it. Thanks!
I haven’t but try it! Sounds delicious!
What kind of dark beer did you use?
Amberbock
Hi Jamie
What is your preferred Honey Whiskey?
Thank you,
Amy
Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey
Made the recipe yesterday, used a swirl of olive oil to saute the onion and garlic otherwise did exactly as written. Had it for dinner tonight, all i can say is OMG it’s good!!!
Hi Jamie!! Question…you only put the BBQ sauce on the meat after you’ve shredded it? What liquid do you cook the meat in? It looks like it’s just dry rubbed with spices.
Hi! Yes, you only add the BBQ sauce at the end. There’s no need to add any liquid during the slow cooking process as the meat will let go of a lot of its own juices. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly. Hope that helps!