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pulled pork recipe - Close-up of perfectly shredded slow-cooked pulled pork on a wooden cutting board, ready to be served.

The Ultimate Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

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Discover the secret to incredibly tender, flavorful pulled pork with this easy-to-follow slow cooker recipe. Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or a crowd-pleasing main dish, this pulled pork recipe guarantees melt-in-your-mouth perfection every time.

  • Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes - 10 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12-16 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

5-7 lb bone-in or boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt)
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp chili powder (adjust to taste)
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup chicken broth or water
Your favorite BBQ sauce, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Trim off any excessively thick fat, leaving a thin layer for moisture.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, and kosher salt to create the dry rub.
Step 3: Generously rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, ensuring full coverage. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
Step 4: When ready to cook, place the rubbed pork shoulder in a large slow cooker (fat-side up if possible).
Step 5: Pour the apple cider vinegar and chicken broth around the pork in the slow cooker.
Step 6: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds (internal temperature should be 200-205°F / 93-96°C).
Step 7: Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and transfer it to a large cutting board or platter. Tent loosely with foil and let it rest for 20-30 minutes.
Step 8: Using two forks or meat claws, shred the pork, discarding any large pieces of fat or bone. You can moisten the pulled pork with a few spoonfuls of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker.
Step 9: Serve the pulled pork hot with your favorite barbecue sauce, either mixed in or on the side, on buns, tortillas, or as desired.

Notes

For an extra smoky flavor, consider adding a few drops of liquid smoke to the cooking liquid, or using smoked paprika in your rub. Leftover pulled pork freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 hours
  • Category: Main Dishes & Savory Recipes
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 oz (113g)
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 580mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg
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