This crock pot pulled pork recipe makes the best tender and flavorful BBQ pulled pork, perfect for sandwiches, nachos, and more. This easy recipe is a favorite for busy days or for feeding a crowd.

Pulled pork in a serving bowl.

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Easy Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe

This pulled pork recipe is one of our favorite family-friendly dinners because it’s so incredibly easy and so delicious. It’s one of those recipes that you’ll want to have in your collection for busy days because it requires so little prep time.

This crock pot pulled pork is a dump and go slow cooker recipe, meaning there’s no pre-cooking (or even chopping) needed. You just put all of the ingredients in the crock pot, turn it on, and that’s it! The pulled pork cooks low and slow all day and you come home to a flavorful home-cooked meal.

After slow cooking, the pork shreds so easily and you won’t believe how tender and flavorful it is. I always have to sneak a few bites straight from the crock pot! We like to serve it in pulled pork sandwiches the first day, and then use the leftovers to make tacos, quesadillas or nachos.

BBQ pulled pork sandwich served on a burger bun with extra bbq sauce.

If you’re craving pulled pork and forget to plan ahead for your slow cooker, try this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe.

Ingredients

Ingredients for crock pot pulled pork recipe.

You’ll need just 5 ingredients, plus salt and pepper, to make this pulled pork recipe.

  • Pork Shoulder/Pork Butt. You can make this pulled pork recipe with pork shoulder or pork butt. Pork shoulder/Boston butt make a flavorful pulled pork because they are a fattier cut of meat. They are also typically budget-friendly and perfect for feeding a crowd.
  • BBQ Sauce. Use your favorite BBQ sauce since the flavor will really impact the flavor of the final dish. I like to look for a BBQ sauce with lower sugar and a short ingredient list. If you have five extra minutes I highly recommend making my Homemade BBQ Sauce. You can just dump all of the BBQ sauce ingredients in your slow cooker and stir (no need to simmer on the stove).
  • Apple Cider Vinegar. This helps to tenderize the meat and adds extra flavor.
  • Pulled Pork Rub. For this recipe, I keep the spice rub simple with chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. You can also use my Pork Rub recipe, which is delicious on pulled pork.

How to Make Crock Pot Pulled Pork

This slow cooker pulled pork recipe is so simple to make! You don’t need to sear or brown the meat before adding it to your slow cooker. You won’t notice much difference in the flavor of the pulled pork if you do brown the meat, so save yourself a step and some time.

Seasonings sprinkled on uncooked pork butt in slow cooker.
Uncooked pork butt with seasonings, bbq sauce and apple cider vinegar in slow cooker.

To prep this recipe, start by putting the pork in the slow cooker. Sprinkle on the seasonings and then add the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 5-6 hours. This is the perfect crockpot meal to make if you are going to be out all day, since it can cook all day on low.

The pulled pork is done when it shreds easily with a fork. Before shredding, let the meat rest in the slow cooker or on a cutting board for 10 minutes. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, for juicier shredded pork.

Shredding cooked pork butt with two forks in slow cooker.

You can return the shredded pork to the sauce in the slow cooker, or, if you want it less saucy, add back your desired amount of juices to the pork in a serving bowl.

I made this for a group of friends we had come over. It was absolutely amazing. I made homemade coleslaw, macaroni salad and potato salad for the sides. This recipe was a huge hit. Everybody raved about it. I served the pork on brioche buns with the kicked up slaw on top. It was so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I will definitely be making this again.

Erin
Shredded bbq pulled pork in slow cooker with tongs.

What to do with Leftover Pulled Pork

I like to make a batch of pulled pork at the beginning of the week because I can serve it a couple of different ways throughout the week. It makes delicious leftovers! Our favorite way to serve it is in classic BBQ pulled pork sandwiches. Serve the pork on toasted burger buns (try these Brioche Buns) or rolls, with extra BBQ sauce and this homemade Coleslaw Recipe or Apple Slaw. 

This crock pot pulled pork recipe also makes great tacos, nachos, quesadillas and lettuce wraps. It’s also delicious in a salad. Try it in place of the chicken in this BBQ Chicken Salad.

What to Serve with Pulled Pork

Wondering what to serve on the side? Here are some of our favorite side dishes for pulled pork to round out the meal.

Pulled pork in a serving bowl with bbq pulled pork sandwiches served on plates.

Storage Tips

Freezing Pulled Pork

Leftover pulled pork freezes well. Cool the shredded pork completely, seal it in an airtight container with the cooking sauce, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw, heat and serve when you are ready.

Reheating Tips

You can reheat pulled pork in the microwave, but for best results reheat it on the stove. Place your pulled pork in a small saucepan and add a little BBQ sauce, water or broth. Cover the pot and heat over low until warmed through, stirring occasionally. If your pulled pork is frozen, it’s best to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

More Delicious Pork Recipes

Pulled pork in a serving bowl.
5 from 9 ratings

Easy Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
This crock pot pulled pork recipe makes delicious, tender shredded BBQ pork that's perfect for sandwiches, wraps, quesadillas and more. This family-friendly meal is a favorite for busy days or for feeding a crowd.
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Ingredients

  • 2.5-3 pound boneless pork shoulder or pork butt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Place pork in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper over the meat. Pour the BBQ sauce over the pork and add the apple cider vinegar to the slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 5-6 hours, until the pork shreds easily.
  • Remove pork to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Shred pork, discarding excess fat. Return shredded pork to the sauce in the slow cooker. Or, if you want it less saucy, add your desired amount of juices from the slow cooker to the pork in a serving bowl.
  • Serve on toasted burger buns or rolls for sandwiches, with extra BBQ sauce if desired. Or serve in tacos, quesadillas, nachos, salads or lettuce wraps.

Notes

  • Leftover pulled pork freezes well. Cool the shredded pork completely, seal it in an airtight container with the cooking sauce, and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
  • You can reheat pulled pork in the microwave, but for best results reheat it on the stove. Put the pulled pork in a small saucepan and add some BBQ sauce, water or broth. Cover the pot and heat over low until warmed through, stirring occasionally. If your pulled pork is frozen, it’s best to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Calories: 207kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 98mg, Sodium: 512mg, Sugar: 6g
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
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