Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (Texas Style)

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A Texas Style Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – 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!

Everyone has a recipe for pulled pork, right? Good. Then you don’t need me to post one. The End. Oh. Wait. You don’t? You want to hear about what I do? Well…. ALRIGHT. IF YOU INSIST! 

When I moved to the United States, I was ALSO new to the world of Pulled Pork.  I had never heard of it, much less tried it before moving here. Oh my, it’s TASTY ! Boy, had I been missing out my whole life!  

A friend was visiting from Texas and was coming for lunch. She had mentioned that pulled pork was a favorite (I believe I quote her directly when I say she said “if my own arm was made of pulled pork I would eat it”). I went looking for a recipe to try and found as many variations as you can think of. This version is a mix of several recipes – I have tweaked it as the years go by, adjusting to our tastes. I hope you love it as much as we do! 

I’ve made this for so many people (I take it camping, have it for game day – ANY time there’s a crowd), and it’s always a hit. Added bonus – my family loves it!  

No time for a 10-hour wait in the slow cooker? Try my Instant Pot Pulled Pork!

Crock Pot Pulled Pork Ingredients:

• BONE IN PORK SHOULDER – you can use either a bone-in or bone out cut of meat. Ensure there is enough room in your crockpot to fit the pork!
• BBQ SAUCE  – pick your favorite brand, any kind that you love will do.
• APPLE CIDER VINEGAR – this helps give the sauce a tang!
• WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE– this is a great way to add a salty, savory flavor to the sauce.
• CHICKEN STOCK – 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 to make sure it works!
• BROWN SUGAR – light brown is what I usually use, but you can easily sub for 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 sub, if you wish!
• DRIED THYME – this can be subbed for fresh thyme, but you will need more than you would if you used dried.  
• SMOKED PAPRIKA – This will add a smoky flavor to the sauce

How to make this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe:

1. Rinse the pork butt or pork shoulder, and dry with paper towels.
2. Place the pork in a slow cooker.
3. In a bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, chicken stock, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, spicy mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder,  remaining ingredients together, and add to the pork.
4. Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, or until the pork falls apart (should fall about easily with a fork).
5. Remove the pork from the crockpot and shred the meat.
6. Drain the excess fat, then mix in a little of the cooking liquid before serving. Season with a little salt and pepper.
7. Serve on toasted buns, with coleslaw.
8. Devour.

FAQs and Kylee’s Notes

• 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!
• What to serve with slow cooker 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!
  • Potato salad – this is my FAVORITE. It has bacon, arugula and parmesan. And it’s heaven.

This is the photo that originally appeared on this post – hehe.

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Texas Style Pulled Pork (Crockpot)

Texas Style Pulled Pork – Sweet, spicy, juicy and cooked low and slow until the meat falls off the bone in tender juicy deliciousness

5 from 14 votes

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 hours

Total Time: 10 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 16

Calories: 239kcal

Author: Kylee Cooks

Want to scale this recipe?Simply click on the serving amount and move the slider up or down – the recipe will automatically adjust!

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• 6 lb pork shoulder roast
• 1.5 cup barbeque sauce
• 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 Tbs spicy brown mustard
• 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbs chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 Tbs onion powder
• 1 Tbs garlic powder
• 2 tsp dried thyme

Instructions

• Place the pork in a slow cooker.
• Mix remaining ingredients together, and add to 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 on rolls (coleslaw is a great side for this!)

Nutrition

Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 403mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 281IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @kyleecooks or tag #kyleecooks!

Update: This recipe was originally published in 2011. The post has been updated to improve reader experience, but the recipe remains the same.