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Tender pulled pork in a slow cooker with cozy fall vibes

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword crock pot, crockpot beef recipe, easy dinner, slow cooker
Cook Time 8 hours
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 3 –4 pounds pork shoulder also called pork butt
  • 1 large onion sliced
  • 3 –4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for heat

Instructions

  1. Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Rub the pork shoulder with the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, then set it on top of the onions.
  2. Add the garlic, barbecue sauce, chicken broth, and apple cider vinegar.
  3. Cover and cook on low until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds apart, usually 8–10 hours.
  4. Once cooked, shred the pork with two forks or meat shredding claws, return it to the juices in the slow cooker, and stir in extra barbecue sauce if desired. Serve on buns, over rice, or with your favorite sides.

Slow Cooker Tips

  1. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large plate or cutting board.
  2. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Pull gently so the strands stay tender.
  3. Pour some of the cooking juices over the shredded pork to keep it moist.
  4. Mix in barbecue sauce if you want a saucier texture.
  5. Serve on toasted buns, tacos, or over rice. Keep any leftovers in the fridge for up to four days.