This Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is a classic American barbecue dish that is perfect for a crowd! It is the best pulled pork to enjoy as pulled pork tacos, sliders, nachos or all by itself with a generous drizzle of BBQ sauce!
Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
This is a family favorite recipe! One of our most popular recipes on the blog is this Smoked Pork Shoulder, but I know not everyone has a smoker! So, due to so many requests from you we thought we would show you guys how to easily modify that recipe to make it in the slow cooker! It is so, so easy and absolutely delicious! We love making this for a crowd or it is great for meal-prep!
You can also make the best pulled pork right in your oven – just follow our recipe for our Pork Shoulder Roast!
What You Will Need
- homemade pork rub – we highly recommend that you make this easy pork rub that is made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- yellow mustard – this is part of the pre-rub and adds amazing flavor.
- liquid smoke – it’s optional but we highly recommend it! It will bring some of that great smokey flavor without being cooked on a smoker.
- pork shoulder – get the best quality possible, it really does make a difference.
What Is The Best Cut of Meat For Pulled Pork In a Slow Cooker
We almost always use a pork shoulder for this recipe (you can use a boneless or a bone-in). Sometimes pork shoulder is also called “pork butt” or “Boston butt.” These will work too!
How To Make The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
First, you can start by mixing up your dry rub in a small bowl. Then it is time to prep your pork shoulder. This is done by rubbing the liquid smoke (if you are using) into all the little crevices, then rub down with yellow mustard, and finally the dry rub. Now place your pork shoulder in the slow cooker and turn on the low setting for 8 hours. Finally, remove your fully cooked cut of meat and easily shred with two forks.
How Many Hours Does Pulled Pork Take In A Slow Cooker
We have found that the best way is to set-it-and-forget-it on the low setting for about 8 hours. It is a tried-and-true recipe that is super juicy and tender everytime!
How Do You Tell If Your Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is Done
You can tell pulled pork is done if it is fall-off-the-bone tender. If you use a fork to test it – you should barely need to put any pressure on the meat for it to just fall apart! Feel free to remove from the slow cooker to shred or just shred right in the slow cooker itself. Just remember to remove the bone if you are using a bone-in pork shoulder.
What To Serve With Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
There are so many great ways to enjoy this tender pulled pork! Sometimes we keep it simple and enjoy it smothered in homemade BBQ sauce and some delicious side dishes, like Purple Cabbage + Cilantro Slaw, Grilled Sweet Potatoes, Herby Potatoes , Smoked Baked Beans, or Simple Steamed Green Beans.
Have leftovers? We also love using this easy pulled pork in other recipes like pulled pork nachos, a pulled pork salad, or pulled pork nachos with mango pineapple salsa!
Don’t forget to check out my Instagram account – Or give me a follow on Facebook or see what I am pinning on Pinterest!
Made this recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
Other Pork Recipes You Might Like
Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – A flavorful and delicious slow cooker pulled pork that is Whole30/Paleo! Perfect for meal-prepping or for a crowd! Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce!
Ingredients
- 1 batch homemade pork rub
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1–2 tablespoons liquid smoke
- (1) 3-3.5 lb pork shoulder (with or without the bone)
Instructions
- Place pork shoulder on a large plate or platter.
- Rub with liquid smoke, getting into all the little crevices.
- Then rub with yellow mustard.
- Finally, take the pork rub and rub all over, it will create almost a paste.*
- Place in slow cooker (no liquid needed) and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- Remove from slow cooker and shred with two forks (discarding bone if it had one).
- Feel free to return shredded meat to slow cooker to combine with the juices or to serve immediately.
Notes
- Prep Pork Shoulder: Once you have the applied the liquid smoke, mustard and pork rub you can place it in the slow cooker right away OR you can wrap it up (in plastic wrap or aluminum foil) and allow it to sit in the refrigerator overnight. This will help it be little more flavorful, but it is not necessary for the recipe to turn out! It still tastes amazing if you skip that step!
- Whole30/Paleo: we love this option for a compliant liquid smoke.
- Serving: Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce – make a homemade version or buy this one for a Whole30/Paleo option!
- Storage: any leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days or 2-3 months in the freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6oz
- Calories: 279
- Sugar: 0.7 g
- Sodium: 1675.5 mg
- Fat: 12.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.4 g
- Protein: 35.9 g
- Cholesterol: 118.2 mg
Katie says
My husband loves pork and it is by far my least favorite meat, but I thought I’d give this recipe a try to make something he would enjoy. The roast turned perfect and the seasoning made it delicious! (Yes, I even enjoyed the roast!). Making this roast again tonight. 😁
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Katie!! And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review – I really appreciate it!
Meagan says
I made this a few weeks ago and forgot to post a review! So easy and delicious (I threw it in the slow cooker overnight) and makes a ton of leftovers. I froze about half and have just pulled out enough to toss in a bowl with rice and avo for a quick lunch. I plan on making it again this weekend when I have friends over-easy pulled pork sandwiches!
Erin says
Thanks, Meagan!!
Meagan says
Following up to say I got rave reviews from my friends, so thank you for making me look good!
Nevena says
Hi! I really want to make this but only have an instant pot…can I use that instead of the slow cooker?
Thank you!
Erin says
Hi Nevena! Yes, you can totally make it in the IP! Just prepare the pork shoulder as it states in the recipe, add a cup of beef broth to the IP along with the trivet and then cook on high for about 90 minutes. Let it naturally released for anywhere from 10-30 minutes (or longer) and then shred! So easy!