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Classic Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe

Classic Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 24 reviews

This Classic Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe offers tender, flavorful pork shoulder cooked low and slow with a smoky dry rub and a tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, this recipe requires minimal prep and yields juicy pulled pork that can be served on buns, over rice, or with your favorite sides.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pork

  • 4 lbs pork shoulder, boneless or bone-in
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth

For the Sauce

  • 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce (your favorite store-bought or homemade)
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for added sweetness)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pork: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the pork shoulder to ensure the flavors penetrate the meat.
  2. Set Up the Slow Cooker: Place the pork shoulder into the slow cooker. Pour 1 cup of chicken broth around the pork, being careful not to wash off the dry rub. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 8 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  3. Shred the Pork: Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and transfer it to a large cutting board. Using two forks or meat claws, shred the pork into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large chunks of fat for a leaner result.
  4. Mix in the Sauce: Drain most of the liquid from the slow cooker, leaving about ½ cup to keep the pork moist. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, combine the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar (if using). Pour this sauce mixture over the shredded pork and stir well to coat evenly.
  5. Heat and Serve: Turn the slow cooker to warm or low heat, allowing the pork to soak up the sauce for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve the pulled pork hot on toasted buns, over rice, or alongside your favorite sides such as coleslaw or baked beans.

Notes

  • Using bone-in pork shoulder can add extra flavor and moisture but may require a slightly longer cooking time.
  • If you prefer a spicier BBQ pulled pork, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the rub or sauce.
  • Leftover pulled pork can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • For a gluten-free option, verify that the BBQ sauce used is gluten-free.
  • Adjust the amount of brown sugar depending on your desired sweetness level or omit for a tangier sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, BBQ pulled pork, slow roasted pork shoulder, easy pulled pork recipe, barbecue pork sandwich

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/classic-slow-cooker-bbq-pulled-pork-recipe/