Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is perfect for sandwiches, sliders, tacos and pizza. It takes little effort to prepare and cooks low and slow all day until tender and falling apart!

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Don’t be intimidated by pulled pork, it’s one of the easiest recipes you’ll make! The effort required for this dish is so minimal, the slow cooker does most of the hard work, but the results are incredibly delicious.

This recipe makes a large batch of pulled pork, enough for about 8 people and the recipe can easily be doubled if your are using a bigger piece of pork.

It freezes and reheats perfectly so I always have some on hand for easy meals like pulled pork tacos and served with buns and coleslaw!

Why this is the BEST Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Minimal effort for maximum results!
• Delicious spice rub to infuse the pork.
• Makes a large batch the freezes perfectly for easy dinners later on.
• Goes with just about anything! Pizza, Pasta, Tacos and Burgers!
• Affordable and economical cut of meat that will feed hungry stomachs!

BBQ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Set about 15 minutes aside at the start of the day to make the flavourful spice rub, coat the pork and turn the slow cooker on. Continue with your busy day while the pork cooks low and slow, infusing with flavour and becoming super tender.

Pull it apart just before you’re ready to eat and stir through your favourite bbq sauce. Layer it up on a taco, on a brioche bun or enjoy with a side of coleslaw and mac and cheese!

What to serve with Pulled Pork?

I use pulled pork for so many different recipes but here are a few of my favourites!

• Pulled Pork Sandwiches or Burgers – Toast brioche buns, top with cheese, bbq pulled pork and some creamy coleslaw!
• BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos – These are delicious! Top your tortilla with an avocado and pineapple salsa, red cabbage and the pulled pork. Drizzle over your favourite hot sauce for some heat.
• BBQ Dinner – Serve with mac and cheese, coleslaw and a few other of your favourite sides.
• Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese – Add some pulled pork into your grilled cheese for some extra flavour.
• Homemade Pizza – Pulled pork makes a delicious topping to pizzas.

Pulled Pork Ingredients

• 4.5 lb / 2 kg Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt) with bone in – You can use a bigger piece it may just take longer to cook.
• 2 Brown Onions
• 3 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Chilli Powder
• 1 Tbsp Salt
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 500ml – 1000ml | 2-4 Cups Chicken Stock – Beer or apple juice can be used here instead.
• 250ml – 500ml | 1-2 Cups BBQ Sauce

How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

In a small bowl mix together the rub for the pork, the brown sugar, chilli powder, salt and cumin. Set to the side.

Peel and chop the onions into quarters and peel the garlic.

Remove the skin and any hard fat from the pork shoulder if this has not already been done.

Sprinkle the rub over the pork and use clean dry hands to press it in so it evenly coats all sides of the pork.

Place the onion and garlic in the base of your slow cooker bowl and top with the piece of pork.

Pour the chicken stock into the bowl until it reaches about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up the pork.

Place on the lid and turn the slow cooker onto low for about 8 hours or high for about 6 hours.

When the time is up remove the lid from the slow cooker. Use a fork or knife a probe the pork, if it has no resistance the pork is ready but if it feels tough it will need longer. If the pork isn’t ready check back every 30 minutes.

Remove the pork from the slow cooker and use two forks to pull it apart. These bear claws also make it quick work!

Remove the liquid and onions from the slow cooker and transfer the pulled pork back in. Stir through the bbq sauce and turn the slow cooker back on to high for about 30 minutes to heat through.

How to freeze Pulled Pork

Place the pulled pork in an airtight container or freezer bag and into the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost the pork in the fridge before reheating in a pan or covered in the oven.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork FAQ

Do I have to use a slow cooker?

No you can easily make this pulled pork in the oven.

Place your ingredients into a dutch oven instead of the bowl of the a slow cooker and place into a 130C / 260F oven for about 8 hours.

Can I use other cuts of pork?

Pork shoulder or pork butt works best for pulled pork (these are both the same just different names for the same cut) but you can also use a scotch roast if that is what you have on hand.

The cut needs to be tough and have the right amount of fat so it can cook low and slow without drying out.

Can you overcook pulled pork?

Pulled pork can become overcooked and turn mushy. Cook just longer enough to when it easily pulls apart (about 8 hours) and toss gently with the sauce. Stirring vigorously or reheating over a high heat can also cause this.

Pulled Pork Side Dishes

• Mac and Cheese
• Creamy Potato Bake
• Garlic Bread
• Fluffy Mashed Potatoes