Description
Unlock the secret to perfectly tender, flavor-packed pulled pork with this incredibly easy slow cooker recipe. Made with minimal effort, it’s ideal for busy weeknights, feeding a crowd, or meal prepping, delivering fall-apart deliciousness every time.
Ingredients
3-4 lbs boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt)
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
1 1/2 cups your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Rub this spice mixture generously over all sides of the pork shoulder.
Step 2: Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the slow cooker. Pour the apple cider vinegar and chicken broth (or water) around the pork.
Step 3: Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
Step 4: Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board or in a shallow pan. Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker, discarding any excess fat. Keep the remaining liquid in the slow cooker.
Step 5: Using two forks, shred the pork into desired pieces. Discard any large pieces of fat or gristle.
Step 6: Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker with the reserved cooking liquid. Stir in your favorite BBQ sauce until the pork is evenly coated. Cook on LOW for another 30-60 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 7: Serve your delicious slow cooker pulled pork hot on buns, in tacos, or with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Notes
For an extra flavor boost, sear the pork shoulder in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes per side before adding it to the slow cooker. This creates a delicious crust and locks in moisture. Adjust BBQ sauce quantity to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Slow Cooker / Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 170g
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg