A Texas Style Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe. Sweet, spicy, juicy and cooked low and slow until the meat falls off the bone in tender juicy deliciousness.
This is a dump and go crock-pot recipe. Low prep, a long cooking time, big flavors!
You’ll enjoy my Pulled Pork Nachos, too! No time for a 10-hour wait in the slow cooker? Try my Instant Pot Pulled Pork!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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Crock Pot Pulled Pork is tender and flavorful pork shoulder slow-cooked to perfection and then shredded for the ultimate BBQ experience.
I love how easy this is to make – you literally just dump it all in and cook. If you prep ahead the seasonings and liquids, then all you do before you leave the house is dump the pork in the slow cooker, pour the remaining ingredients over the top and cook.
When you get home, you can make pulled pork sliders, pulled pork sandwiches or pulled pork tacos. You do you!
Why is this the best crockpot pulled pork?
The slow cooker does all the work! The long, slow cook time allows the pork shoulder to become incredibly tender and flavorful, and cooks in its own juices.
It’s perfect for crowds! Make a big batch and enjoy it at family gatherings or parties.
The key to this recipe is in the ingredients.
Using a bone-in pork shoulder gives the best flavor, while your favorite BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken stock make the pork juicy and tangy. Spices like chipotle chili powder and smoked paprika add a smoky kick.
This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Serve it on rolls with coleslaw for a classic meal, or get creative with your favorite toppings. It’s an easy, delicious recipe that’s sure to become a favorite.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Make ahead! this recipe is GREAT to make ahead and serve the next day. In fact, the flavors are even better with a little waiting time.
- Freeze! – we store the shredded pork in zip baggies, and freeze them. We can have pulled pork sandwiches anytime we like! A quick blast in the microwave, a soft bun, and a little sauce and we are in business!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of pork?
Yes, you can use pork butt or pork loin, but pork shoulder the best cut of meat for pulled pork, for its tenderness and flavor. Pork tenderloin is not a great choice, as it will overcook with such a long cook time.
Can I make this recipe in the oven?
Yes, you can make pulled pork in the oven at 300°F for 6-7 hours until the pork is tender and falls apart.
Can I cook on high instead of low?
Yes, but reduce the cooking time to 5-6 hours. The texture may be slightly different. For best results, you’ll want to do this low and slow.
What to serve with Pulled Pork
- These homemade hamburger buns are awesome – they soak up all the delicious sauce and hold up well to the mess!
- Homemade coleslaw – just a few pantry ingredients, and you’re in business!
- Classic, American Potato salad – this is my FAVORITE.
- Dr. Pepper Baked Beans or Instant Pot Baked Beans are a great side, too!
I have included step-by-step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the full recipe card located at the bottom of the post.
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Bone-in pork shoulder. You can use either a bone-in or boneless pork shoulder, or you can grab a Boston Butt. The best cut of meat will be the one you can find in your store! A good one to choose is one that has plenty of marbling (fat) for the best flavor. Ensure there is enough room in your crockpot to fit the pork!
- BBQ sauce. Pick your favorite brand of barbecue sauce; any kind that you love will do.
- Apple cider vinegar. This helps give the sauce a tang!
- Worcestershire sauce. Adds a salty, savory flavor to the sauce.
- Chicken broth. Make your own or use a store-bought one. If you opt for a lower sodium variety, be sure to taste test your dinner and adjust seasoning (aka add salt and pepper) to make sure it works!
- Brown sugar. Light brown is what I usually use, but you can easily substitute with dark brown. It won’t be an issue.
- Mustard. I use spicy brown mustard; we like things to have a kick! Yellow or Dijon mustard also works well.
- Chili powder. This is pure chili powder, not prepared chili powder that is a blend of spices. I like chipotle in this, but feel free to use prepared chili powder in place of the chipotle if you like.
- Onion powder. You could add diced onions instead if you wish!
- Garlic powder. Fresh garlic is a great substitute if you wish!
- Dried thyme. This can be substituted with fresh thyme, but you will need more than you would if you used dried.
- Smoked paprika. Adds a smoky flavor to the sauce.
Recommended Equipment/Tools
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- Slow cooker
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Forks for shredding, or use these bear claws.
How to make Crock Pot Pulled Pork
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Place the pork in your crockpot (aka slow cooker)
Place pork in the crock pot and cut it if you have to, to ensure it fits.
Mix Ingredients
Mix the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken stock, light brown sugar, spicy brown mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried thyme together. Pour the sauce over the pork.
Cook the Pork
Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, or until the pork falls apart. Remove the pork from the crockpot, discard the bone if you have one.
Shred the pork
Shred with two forks. Mix in a little of the cooking liquid before serving.
Serve
Serve juicy pulled pork on rolls. Coleslaw or Dill Pickle Pasta Salad are great sides for this! Enjoy!
Kylee’s Notes
Ensure there is enough room in your crockpot. The pork should fit comfortably in the slow cooker.
Adjust seasoning to taste. If you opt for a lower sodium chicken stock, be sure to taste test your dinner and adjust seasoning accordingly.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Store any leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat: Reheat leftover pulled pork in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or in the microwave.
Freezing instructions
Pulled pork freezes well. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. I like to store mine in “1 sandwich” sized bags, so I can make just one pulled pork sandwich anytime I want.
More delicious crockpot recipes:
Looking for more crockpot recipes?
- Crockpot Cowboy Casserole. Quick to prep, this is a real family pleaser!
- Crock Pot Pork Loin. Comfort food that cooks all day, ready to eat when you get home!
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken. A rich, deeply flavored, sweet, chicken dinner – that you fix, and forget! Make ahead and come home to a fabulous dinner to share with the family.
- Smothered Pork Chops. tender & juicy, covered in a flavorful onion gravy. Slow-cooked while you do other things.
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Crock Pot Pulled Pork (Texas Style)
Recommended Equipment
- Bear Claws (for shredding (you can use two forks, too))
Ingredients
- 6 pound pork shoulder roast
- 1.5 cup BBQ sauce
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
Directions
Get started
- Place the 6 pound pork shoulder roast in a slow cooker.
Measure and mix remaining Ingredients
- Mix the remaining ingredients together. Pour over the pork.1.5 cup BBQ sauce, 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3/4 cup chicken stock, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons dried thyme
Cook the Pork
- Cook on low for 10 hours, or until the pork falls apart. Remove the pork from the crockpot and shred with two forks. Mix in a little of the cooking liquid before serving.
Serve
- Serve on rolls. Coleslaw is a great side for this! Enjoy!
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Notes
- Ensure there is enough room in your crockpot. The pork shoulder should fit comfortably in the slow cooker.
- Adjust seasoning to taste. If you opt for a lower sodium chicken stock, be sure to taste test your dinner and adjust seasoning accordingly.
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Update: This recipe was originally published in 2011. The post has been updated in August of 2024 to improve reader experience, but the recipe remains the same.
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