Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

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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 is juicy, flavorful and delicious. The best slow cooker recipe!

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.

Slow cooker pulled pork is juicy, flavorful and delicious. The best slow cooker recipe!
Slow cooker pulled pork is juicy, flavorful and delicious. The best slow cooker recipe!

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:

  1. Place the diced onion, garlic and orange juice in the slow cooker
  2. Rub the dried spices on all sides of your pork
  3. 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)
  4. 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!

Slow cooker pulled pork is juicy, flavorful and delicious. The best slow cooker recipe!

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:

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.

Slow cooker pulled pork is juicy, flavorful and delicious. The best slow cooker recipe!

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.

Slow cooker pulled pork is juicy, flavorful and delicious. The best slow cooker recipe!

BEST Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

4.93 from 206 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Slow cooker pulled pork is the tastiest recipe for your slow cooker! Pork shoulder that's slow roasted is so tender and juicy it literally falls apart on its own.

Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 4 1/2 pounds pork shoulder
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 orange, juiced

Instructions 

  • Place the diced onion, garlic and orange juice in your slow cooker.
    A slow cooker with onions for pulled pork
  • In a small bowl, mix all of the spices together.
    Spices in a bowl for slow cooker pulled pork
  • 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.
    A slow cooker with pork in it.
  • 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.
    A plate of pulled 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

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 411mg | Potassium: 625mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 885IU | Vitamin C: 11.5mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2.5mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pulled pork, slow cooker pulled pork
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

This recipe was originally posted May 2015, but updated to include new photos and information. 

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

4.93 from 206 votes (77 ratings without comment)

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425 Comments

  1. 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

    1. 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!

  2. 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.4 stars

  3. 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!5 stars

    1. 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!

  4. Hi, I only have a pork leg, do I need to make any adjustments to the recipe? More liquid, time difference?
    Thanks