Description
Make tender, flavorful pulled pork with this simple set and forget slow cooker recipe, perfect for meal prep or family barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt), trimmed
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup your favorite BBQ sauce (for finishing)
Instructions
- Trim any large pieces of excess fat from the pork shoulder. You want some fat remaining for moisture.
- In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to create your dry rub.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the pork shoulder.
- Place the seasoned pork shoulder into your slow cooker.
- Pour the chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce around the pork. Do not pour directly over the top of the rub.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the pork shreds easily with a fork. This is your set and forget dinner step!
- Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it in a large bowl. Discard any large pieces of fat left on the meat.
- Shred the pork using two forks.
- Pour about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker over the shredded pork to keep it moist.
- Stir in 1/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Add more liquid or sauce as needed for your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately on hamburger buns for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, or cool completely for freezer friendly dinners and meal prep meats.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can sear the seasoned pork shoulder in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side before placing it in the slow cooker.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the cooking liquid from the slow cooker after shredding the meat, bring it to a simmer in a saucepan, and reduce it until it thickens slightly before mixing it back into the pork.
- This crockpot pulled pork freezes very well. Cool completely, place in airtight containers, and freeze for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 8 hr
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz cooked meat
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 110