Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
Pulled pork is one of everyone’s favorite recipes because it’s just so tasty! I’ve got an incredibly easy recipe for the most tender, fall-apart, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork and it’s virtually work-free because it’s made in the slow cooker. This is truly a set-it-and-forget-it type of recipe! The pork cooks low and slow in your Crock-Pot which allows it to become tender while staying moist and juicy. Whether you want to serve this as Pulled Pork Sliders on a sweet toasted bun topped with coleslaw or cheese, with tacos, stuffed in potatoes or sweet potatoes, or just about any way you can think of, this budget-friendly slow cooker pulled pork recipe is a winner. For get-togethers like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day events, graduation parties, easy weeknight dinners that you can start before you leave for work in the morning, or summer days when you don’t want to run your oven, this simple pulled pork recipe is so versatile!
Ingredients in Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
For this extremely satisfying slow cooker recipe for juicy pulled pork, you’ll need a variety of spices to create the dry rub including the following spices and seasonings – and of course the pork itself! Note: All ingredients amounts are listed in the recipe card section when you keep scrolling down.
How to Make Pulled Pork in a Crock-Pot
When I say this is the best slow cooker pulled pork recipe, I’m not kidding! Follow these extremely easy and straightforward instructions.
What Is the Best Cut of Meat for Pulled Pork?
If you’re like me, or most anyone who’s not well versed in butchering, cuts of meat and when to use which particular cut, can be a bit confusing! The best clue for knowing when it’s done is that if the meat starts to pull apart easily when you check it. And once you begin shredding it with just two forks, it will shred very easily with almost no resistance. If you want to go by internal temperature as measured with a digital thermometer, the National Pork Board has a range of temps from 145 to 160F, depending on the cut of pork. However, other sources such as the Food Network suggest a temp of 190-195F. There seems to be a consensus though that 200F is the maximum temp you should go with because you can overcook the pork, at which point it’ll be chewy, stringy, dry, and simply not that tasty. I always check my meat after 3 to 4 hours if I’m slow cooking on HIGH, and if a thermometer reads at least 170F or so, and it pulls apart easily when I insert a fork, it’s done. And I don’t cook it any longer so that it doesn’t dry out. For this recipe, I recommend that you use pork butt (or Boston Butt) as it’s sometimes called. It can be boneless or bone-in. Bone-in will take slightly longer to cook than boneless, but this is a non-rushed, slow cooking type of recipe anyway. Another 30-60 minutes isn’t a big deal. Cook’s Illustrated has an excellent graphic that shows you the difference as well as a handy chart indicating when to use either pork butt (higher up on the pig’s body) or pork shoulder (farther down).
Pork Butt (also known as Boston Butt) – Well marbled with intramuscular fat which adds great flavor. Usually sold with the fat cap on. Use it when you are stewing, braising, or want fall-apart tender pulled pork! Pork Shoulder (also known as Picnic Roast or Picnic Shoulder) – Less intramuscular fat and marbling. Usually sold with the skin on. Use it when you want crispy skin. If you’re using boneless pork shoulder, it’ll likely be sold with a net which you can keep on. Bone-in pork shoulder doesn’t come with netting.
Bottom line, if a recipe calls for either pork butt or pork shoulder, go with pork butt because the extra fat = extra flavor!
More Easy Slow Cooker Pork Recipes:
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork — Pork slow cooks to perfection and has Hawaiian-inspired flavors from pineapple and teriyaki sauce! Sweet, tangy, juicy, and tender meat! It makes the best pulled pork sandwiches that everyone loves! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin — Tender and juicy boneless pork tenderloin slow cooks with hearty vegetables for a complete and EASY meal! Reminiscent of a hearty and rustic recipe, yet fancy enough for a special dinner or holiday entertaining! Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup — An incredibly EASY and comforting soup you can make with leftover holiday ham or deli ham! Your slow cooker does all the work to meld the flavors together. Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs — Tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone baby back pork ribs that are finger-lickin’ good! With just 5 minutes of active prep, your slow cooker does all the work in creating ribs that your friends and family will beg you to make over and over! Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast — A foolproof recipe for tender, juicy pot roast with just FIVE main ingredients! Your slow cooker does all the work in this comfort food classic pot roast that the whole family will adore! EASIER than any pot roast you will ever make and with more robust flavor!
