Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
425 Comments
Updated Sep 25, 2024
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Slow cooker pulled pork is incredibly juicy, tender and flavorful with the perfect blend of spices. It’s an easy “set it and forget it” slow cooker recipe that’ll you’ll love.
Pulled pork is great for serving a crowd or for weekly meal prep – especially as there’s so much you can do with it! And let’s be honest, pulled pork tacos are the best.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
My slow cooker is one of the most used appliances in my kitchen, right after my Vitamix. And it’s perfect for making the best slow cooker pulled pork you’ve ever tasted.
With how busy we all are it’s great to have a recipe that only takes 5 minutes to prep and cooks all on its own. There’s definitely no slaving away in the kitchen with this recipe. In fact, it’s quite possibly the easiest pulled pork recipe that exists.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe Video
Want to know how to make the best pulled pork? Let me show you. Watch the quick tutorial video below!
The Best Cut of Pork for Pulled Pork
When it comes to making pulled pork, look for a boneless pork shoulder. Sometimes it’s also called a pork butt or Boston butt. You can find bone-in pork shoulders, though I prefer a boneless pork shoulder for more meat in my slow cooker.
Choose a pork shoulder that’s well marbled (for extra flavor), but not too much fat on the edges. You can trim any excess fat off as well.
The Most Delicious Pulled Pork Rub
The spice rub I use on this pulled pork is a combination of paprika, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. It’s flavorful spicy, but not hot spicy. And it tastes just as delicious as my brisket dry rub (though that one is more sweet and smoky).
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – 4 Easy Steps
For the most perfectly spiced, cooked, tender, juicy, oozing with flavor pulled pork, follow these four easy steps:
- Place the diced onion, garlic and orange juice in the slow cooker
- Rub the dried spices on all sides of your pork
- Place the pork in the slow cooker and set the timer for 8 hours on low (don’t use high – it’s much more tender cooked low and slow)
- Remove the pork to a plate or cutting board and use two forks to shred
You barely have to lift a finger with this recipe and the outcome is the most delicious pulled pork you’ve ever tasted!
What to Serve with Pulled Pork
Well, first, let’s not forget that you can eat it all on it’s on. But I also love to serve it with:
- Mashed potatoes (or Mashed Sweet Potatoes or Mashed Cauliflower)
- Baked Sweet Potato (hint: stuff the sweet potato with the pulled pork, like my BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe)
- Avocado Egg Salad
- Easy Cucumber Salad
- Baked Beans
- Pickle De Gallo
It’s also great mixed with your favorite barbecue sauce, made into a pulled pork salad or topped on some fried eggs for a savory, protein-packed breakfast. The options are endless. And that’s what makes this slow cooker pulled pork recipe so darn good.
How to Store Any Leftover Pulled Pork
If you don’t happen to eat it all the pulled pork one sitting, not to worry – it’s delicious meal prep for later in the week. Just place it in a meal prep container. It will last for 4-5 days in the fridge or for 2-3 months in the freezer.
BEST Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
Description
Video
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the diced onion, garlic and orange juice in your slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, mix all of the spices together.
- Trim all excess fat from the pork shoulder, then rub the spice mixture generously around the entire pork shoulder and place in the slow cooker.
- Turn your slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours.
- Once your pork is fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker to a plate or cutting board and use two forks to shred the pork.
Lisa’s Tips
- You can add some of the remaining liquid from the slow cooker to the pulled pork for extra moisture.
- This is a delicious BBQ sauce that’s also paleo and Whole30 friendly. It’s great on this pork!
- I’ve also heard great things about this slow cooker, if you’re looking to buy a new one.
Nutrition
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This recipe was originally posted May 2015, but updated to include new photos and information.
Lisa can you tell me how long I have to cook a 10 lb, pork shoulder! I have to have it done tomorrow. I have looked on here some say 4 to 5 hours and 10 to 15 hour! I am in stress mode. Help me if you can!
Thanks
Hi Diane – it depends on if you’re cooking on low or high heat. A 10 pound pork shoulder doesn’t need double the time, but likely 1.5x the time. So if you’re cooking it on low that may look like 13-15 hours or on high 6-9 hours. But you’ll always know when it’s done as it will shred easily and fall apart. If it doesn’t shred easily, continue cooking for a little bit longer. Hope that helps!
I made this and while it did shred up nicely, i was looking for a little more flavor. When I make it next time, I will add a few additional spices so that it has more flavor. Love the easy part of putting it in a crockpot.
Hi Susan – if you’d like a bit more spicy flavor, make sure to check out my carnitas recipe!
I’m making the Slow cooker pulled pork AGAIN today. It’s a favorite. I’ll serve with mashed cauliflower. I’m diabetic, and generally eat a low carb diet. I keep my glucose numbers in range without using much insulin. I have found that many of Lisa’s recipes fit well into my diet. A big bonus: her recipes are always delicious. Not a clinker in the bunch that I have tried!
Hi Jeanne – That’s great to hear many of my recipes fit the bill for what you’re looking for, including this slow cooker pulled pork!
Hi, I only have a pork leg, do I need to make any adjustments to the recipe? More liquid, time difference?
Thanks
I look forward making this as most recipes are just bbq sauce.
Can you freeze this? Freezer friendly?
Yes, absolutely!