How To Slow Cook Pulled Pork In Crock Pot

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Succulent slow cooker pulled pork seasoned to perfection and simmered all day in the slow cooker. Perfect all by itself or for use in many different recipes.

There are few things that are as delicious as perfectly tender, fall off the bone, melt in your mouth slow cooker pulled pork. If the smell of it cooking in your slow cooker isn't enough to make your mouth water, the moment you pull it out and it see it fall apart certainly will.

Forkful of slow cooker pulled pork.

Not only is it delicious it's alsoso easy and incredibly versatile. I can make one batch of crockpot pulled pork on Sunday and use it for a few different meals throughout the week. It's economical and delicious, I mean you can't beat that right?

Pork shoulder in slow cooker.

You don't need many ingredients to make this seasonings, onions, beef broth and of course the star of the show: the pork.

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?

When purchasing the meat that you will want to make sure that you buy pork shoulder, sometimes called boston butt. You will find them either bone-in or boneless. When it comes to roasting meat, I typically go for bone in because it tends to be more tender. That being said, cooking in the slow cooker, I find that it doesn't really matter if you buy boneless or bone-in pork shoulder.

Overhead photo of raw pork shoulder.

Most pork shoulders will be rather large. My grocery store carries pork shoulders that range between 4 – 6 pounds. For this recipe for slow cooker pulled pork, I used a 5 pound bone-in pork shoulder. If you are using boneless anywhere between 4 and 5 pounds will do just fine. If your grocery store carries larger shoulders you can always ask the butcher to cut one for you.

Step by Step Instructions:

Step by step photos for slow cooker pulled pork.

STEP #1: Combine salt, cumin, chili powder, garlic, pepper and oregano together in a bowl. Rub spice mixture all over the pork.

STEP #2: Place onions on the bottom of the slow cooker. Place pork on top of onions. Pour broth over the top. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

STEP #3: Allow the pork to cool slightly and remove to a bowl. Use two forks to shred.

STEP #4: Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the broth. Allow it to set so that the fat rises to the top. Spoon off the fat and pour desired amount of broth of the top of the pork. Just enough to make it moist enough for your liking.

Can you make pulled pork in the Instant Pot?

I know this is a recipe for slow cooker pulled pork, but I have recently discovered that you can also make pulled pork in the instant pot. To make this recipe in the Instant Pot you just need to make a few small changes. First, use the sauté feature to sear the pork on all sides. Then instead of using 5 cups of liquid like you would in the slow cooker, only use 1 cup of beef broth (or water). And then set it for 120 minutes and do a natural release for 20. It is justas succulent as slow cooker pulled pork.

Side angle photo of pulled pork in a glass bowl.

What can you make with slow cooker pulled pork?

Anything. Seriously. I make pulled pork on Sunday and use it to make several different meals throughout the week. I love to use it in Tacos, Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese and Pulled Pork Egg Rolls. Or you can put it on a bun and slather it with Carolina BBQ Sauce or White BBQ Sauce.

Endless possibilities!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is great for pulled pork sandwiches!

Can you freeze pulled pork?

Yes! I have done it several times. I separate it into 2 – 3 cup freezer bags and freeze. Then I can pull it out of the freezer in the morning and use it in the evening for an easy dinner.

Note: This post was originally written in 2009. Photos updated and Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) instructions added in 2021)

Other Pork Recipes:

Overhead photo of slow cooker pulled pork in a white bowl.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Succulent slow cooker pulled pork seasoned to perfection and simmered in the slow cooker. Perfect all by itself or for use in many different recipes.

Prep Time 1 d

Cook Time 8 hrs

Total Time 1 d 8 hrs

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 10 Servings

Calories 418 kcal

Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 5 pound bone-in pork shoulder
1 medium onion
3 cups beef broth

Combine salt, chili powder, cumin, granulated garlic, pepper and oregano in a bowl.
Rub spice mixture all over the pork.
Slice the onion and lay it on the bottom of a 5 quart slow cooker. Place the pork on top of the onions. Pour beef broth and water over the top. Cover and cook for 8 hours.
Remove from slow cooker. Allow to cool slightly. Remove meat from slow cooker and use two forks to shred.
If desired, use a fine mesh strainer to strain the broth. Allow it to set so that the fat rises to the top. Spoon off the fat and pour desired amount of broth of the top of the pork. Just enough to make it moist enough for your liking.
Use in a variety of recipes.
To make pulled pork in the instant pot: Turn on the saute feature. Sear roast on all sides. Scatter onions around the pork. Pour in 1 cup beef broth. Cook on high pressure for 120 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes. Remove from pot, shred and serve.

Nutrition facts for estimation purposes only.

Calories: 418 kcal Carbohydrates: 4.57 g Protein: 37.55 g Fat: 37.55 g Saturated Fat: 27.77 g Cholesterol: 132 mg Sodium: 2872 mg Fiber: 0.4 g Sugar: 2.49 g

Keywords: crockpot, pork shoulder, slow cooker