Crock Pot Barbecue Pulled Pork Recipe

When it comes to easy recipes, you can’t beat this crock pot barbecue pulled pork recipe. It is one of my favorite recipes to make when we are having a casual family dinner, but also when I need to bring a dish to a potluck or party.

It’s an easy recipe that turns out great every single time. In fact, you really can’t mess this up.

It’s what I like to call a “Dump & Go” meal. You just put everything in the crock pot, turn it on, and walk away. Hours later, you have fall-apart pork that practically shreds itself.

Choosing the Right Cut of Pork

However, in order for it to be fall apart tender, you must pick out the right type of pork roast. The best cut of pork for barbecue pulled pork is a pork shoulder.

Although you could also use a pork butt, which is often labeled as Boston butt. No matter the name, these two roasts are ideal for pulled pork because they have the right amount of fat to keep the meat moist and flavorful as it cooks.

Some people use a traditional pork roast, but I find that it often turns out dry and tough. Pork shoulder, on the other hand, becomes incredibly tender when cooked in the crock pot. That’s why I always stick to this cut for making pulled pork.

If you’re cooking for a smaller group or just want to make less, you can use a smaller pork shoulder or even cut a larger one in half. Leftover pulled pork is great for future meals, but if you’re trying to avoid too much extra, adjusting the portion size is a good option.

Why a Crock Pot is Perfect for Pulled Pork

With so many cooking methods available, you might wonder why we prefer to use a crock pot for pulled pork. The main reason is convenience. There’s nothing better than coming home to a fully cooked meal that’s ready to eat within minutes.

A crock pot allows the pork to cook low and slow, breaking down the connective tissues to create that perfect, fall-apart texture. The long cooking time also lets the flavors develop fully. Plus, there’s the added benefit of filling your house with an amazing aroma all day long.

While we sometimes use the Instant Pot for a faster version of pulled pork or make Smoked Pulled Pork, there are times when a crock pot just makes more sense. If we’re going to be out all day or hosting a gathering, the crock pot is the best choice. It keeps the meat warm until we’re ready to eat, making it a great option for parties and potlucks.

Many crock pots come with programmable timers. This means you can set it to cook for a specific amount of time, and once that time is up, it automatically switches to the “Keep Warm” setting. That way, you don’t have to worry about overcooking the pork if you’re running late. (Affiliate Product Link: 6 quart Programmable Crock Pot)

The Best Barbecue Sauce and Seasonings

Now that you know what roast to use and why making pulled pork in the crock pot is a great cooking method, now it comes time to figure out what type of barbecue sauce to use to flavor the meat. One of the great things about this recipe is that you can use any barbecue sauce you like.

Although sometimes I will use my homemade barbecue sauce, there are other times that I purchase the sauce. When choosing a store-bought sauce, I try to go with a sugar-free option when possible.

We love Sweet Baby Ray’s, but we’ve also used G Hughes Smokehouse Maple Brown BBQ Sauce, which is a great choice if you want to cut down on sugar.

However, there are a few extra ingredients to make this the best barbecue pulled pork recipe. The most important one is apple cider vinegar. You won’t actually taste the vinegar in the final dish, but it plays a key role in breaking down the meat, making it extra tender.

We also season the pork with garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. These simple seasonings help give the barbecue sauce a deeper, richer flavor.

Cooking the Pork

You don’t even need to thaw the pork shoulder before cooking. We often put a frozen pork shoulder straight into the crock pot. This is especially handy when we’ve stocked up on pork shoulders during a sale and kept them in the freezer.

To cook, simply place the pork in the crock pot, pour in the barbecue sauce and vinegar, and sprinkle on the seasonings. Cover with the lid and set the crock pot to cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6 hours.

If you have time and your pork shoulder is fresh (not frozen), searing the pork before placing it in the crock pot can add extra depth to the flavor. Just brown all sides in a skillet for a few minutes before transferring it to the crock pot.

Shredding the Barbecue Pulled Pork

Once the pork has finished cooking, it’s time to shred it. This part is incredibly easy because the meat is so tender that it practically falls apart on its own.

To check if the pork is ready, use a fork to pull at the meat. If it easily shreds, it’s done. If it still feels tough, let it cook for another 30 minutes to an hour.

Remove the pork from the crock pot and place it on a large cutting board or in a mixing bowl. Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any large pieces of fat. Then, return the shredded pork to the crock pot and mix it with the remaining barbecue sauce.

Serving Ideas

Most of the time, we serve barbecue pulled pork on sandwich buns. A soft, slightly toasted bun pairs perfectly with the tender meat and sauce. Sometimes, we add coleslaw on top for a little crunch.

But there are so many other ways to use pulled pork! Here are a few of our favorite ideas:

• Pulled Pork Tacos – Fill warm tortillas with pulled pork and top with diced onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
• Pulled Pork Nachos – Layer tortilla chips with pulled pork, shredded cheese, and jalapeños. Bake until the cheese is melted, then top with sour cream and salsa.
• Pulled Pork Rice Bowls – Serve pulled pork over a bowl of rice and garnish with green onions.
• Pulled Pork Quesadillas – Place pulled pork and shredded cheese between two tortillas and grill until golden brown.
• Pulled Pork Stuffed Potatoes – Spoon pulled pork over a baked potato and top with sour cream and chives.

Storing and Reheating Crock Pot Barbecue Pulled Pork Leftovers

Pulled pork makes great leftovers, and it’s easy to store. Once cooled, transfer any extra meat to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days.

To freeze pulled pork, place it in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Make sure to include some of the barbecue sauce liquid to keep the meat from drying out. It will keep well in the freezer for up to three months.

When reheating, you can warm it up in the microwave, on the stovetop, or even in the crock pot. If reheating on the stovetop, add a little extra barbecue sauce to keep it moist.

Making barbecue pulled pork in a crock pot is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to prepare this classic dish. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner, a party, or meal prep, it’s a simple and flavorful recipe that never disappoints.

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.

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