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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!
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
What to do with leftovers
Make Pulled Pork Nachos
- 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.
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.
- 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:
- Rinse the pork butt or pork shoulder, and dry with paper towels.
- Place the pork in a slow cooker.
- 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.
- Cover and cook on low for 10 hours, or until the pork falls apart (should fall about easily with a fork).
- Remove the pork from the crockpot and shred the meat.
- Drain the excess fat, then mix in a little of the cooking liquid before serving. Season with a little salt and pepper.
- Serve on toasted buns, with coleslaw.
- Devour.
This is the photo that originally appeared on this post – hehe.
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Texas Style Pulled Pork (Crockpot)
Suggested Equipment
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 facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
Update: This recipe was originally published in 2011. The post has been updated to improve reader experience, but the recipe remains the same.
Kita Roberts says
What a great make and freeze meal! And pork shoulder is always so inexpensive. Plus, slow cookers really do make the juiciest pork! I need to unpack my slow cooker and make this asap!
Jo says
Slow cookers always makes the best pulled pork, so juicy and so amazing with flavors. Pulled pork looks so moist and juicy with amazing flavors!
Tammy says
Wow wow wow!!! This sounds sooo flavorful! You’re making me hungry. It’s been too long since I’ve made pulled pork..Yum!
Karyl Henry says
I haven’t made pulled pork in ages but it’s SO GOOD!! I cook it overnight in the crockpot, and I’ve been known to go and smell it in the middle of the night:) Your recipe looks fabulous, and it’s inspiring me to make it again now that football season is upon us
Eden says
This recipe was amazing! I love my slow cooker so much and wanted to make pulled pork. Was so happy with this recipe
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
I absolutely LOVE pulled pork! It’s such an easy thing to make and it can be used on so many ways! And the crockpot makes it’s so easy too! Yours looks so yummy and juicy!
Rebecca Blackwell says
We have house guests coming next week and this just got added to the week’s meal plan. I actually have 3 slow cookers and plan to make a ton so we can use it in different meals all week long. Perfect! Thank you!
Anne Lawton says
I should not be reading this just before dinner, because now I want this for dinner tonight! Well, maybe tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!
Jenni says
I made this pulled pork last night and it was so amazing! Easy to follow directions, and it turned out exactly like the pictures showed. My whole family loved it and said that I can never made any other recipe!
Kylee says
I am SO glad you and your family loved it, Jenni!
Danielle says
The pork to fight for lol So juicy, so yum, and that meat falling off the bone is just the way pulled pork is supposed to be. Can’t wait to try this recipe over the weekend!
Amanda says
Love this recipe! It’s so easy to put together, and I love how you can use it in so many ways. I’m definitely adding this to the rotation. Thanks for sharing!
shobee says
I loooove my slow cooker and yes, I use it for cooking pulled pork too. I love the ingredients in this recipe, since it is all available in my pantry. Love my pulled pork on top of rice and I ‘ll have it with soft tortilla too.
Colleen says
The slow cooker is the easiest way to make pulled pork! It comes out tender, juicy and delicious, and this recipe is proof of that. It looks amazing.
ferretnz says
We have been watching these American BBQ cook off shows and I almost die when I hear they are ganna do pulled pork… This is so going to be tried
Rosabela says
Oh this sounds yummy! I've never made pulled pork before, but I always make 'pulled lamb' for Easter (if there is such a name hehe). Your version sound delish (but I would cut back on the chipotle chili powder for my little wee ones). 🙂