Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is an easy recipe made with pork tenderloin or pork shoulder. It's so easy to throw together. The trick is cooking the pork long and slow until it's fork tender. One of the heroes of this dish is dark-colored soda pop. That's right, Coke, Pepsi, Root beer, or Dr. Pepper all work great!
If there was ever a recipe that stands the test of time, Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is it! BBQ pulled pork is a huge hit in my home and it's one of the easiest meals to prepare.
Always tender, the flavors of this easy slow cooker pulled pork recipe run deep. Even though I've made this simple BBQ pulled pork recipe many times, it never gets boring!
If you're convinced this is the best pulled pork recipe you've made, perhaps I can twist your arm into trying my Slow Cooker Pulled Beef Tacos, Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Tacos, Pulled Pork In Oven or my Slow Cooker Beef Tacos.
Why You Will Love This BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
- Great for a Crowd. This makes quite a bit of pulled pork so it's an easy meal when you need to feed a large group. You can even serve the pork up in the slow cooker to keep it warm with the buns, toppings, and other condiments on the side for everyone to make their own.
- Simple Ingredients. Nothing too crazy here is needed to make the best slow cooker pulled pork.
- Versatile Dish. You can use the pulled pork to make sandwiches, enjoy on its own, in tacos, burritos, and so much more!
Ingredients
This dish relies on easy-to-find ingredients including some pantry staples you likely already have on hand. Here's a look at the highlights.
- Pork Roast: Although this quick and easy pulled pork recipe works beautifully with any kind of pork roast, boneless or bone-in pork shoulder or pork butt are the best option. They have plenty of fat and connective tissue which works perfectly for slow cooking.
- Seasoning: We're using a simple combination of some dried spices and herbs to keep things simple. You will need salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Aromatics: The pork cooks with some chopped fresh onion and minced garlic for more depth of flavor.
- Dr. Pepper: This recipe calls for Dr. Pepper which has a flavor that's complex with hints of vanilla and is a bit sweet and peppery. You can also use any other flavor of dark-colored soda you prefer.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought brand of sauce or you can make homemade barbecue sauce if you want.
- Optional for Serving: We recommend buns, coleslaw, and cheese but you can enjoy this pulled pork in a ton of different ways.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Step 1: Mix together the spices and rub them all over the pork.
Step 2: Sprinkle the chopped onions all over the bottom of the slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray and place the pork roast on top.
Step 3: Pour the can of Dr. Pepper or other dark soda you're using all over the roast.
Step 4: Cook the pork on low for about 8 hours.
Step 5: Use two forks or your fingers to shred the meat. Remove any bone, fat, or muscle from the roast as you're shredding.
Step 6: Return the pulled pork back to the slow cooker. Add the BBQ sauce to the pork. Feel free to use as much or as little sauce as you prefer
Step 7: Cook on low until heated through, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 8: Serve up on buns with your choice of toppings.
⭐️ Hint: Dump the remaining liquid from your slow cooker after you remove the cooked pork roast. Wipe out the slow cooker with a paper towel as best you can. It doesn't have to be perfect. This will prevent the pork from being overly greasy.
If you love this pork recipe you may also enjoy my Slow Cooker Pork with Apples, Air Fryer Short Ribs or Pork Stew in the Slow Cooker.
Storage Directions
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three months.
- Reheat: Heat in a skillet on the stove over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add a bit of water or broth if it seems dry. You can also reheat in the oven. Place it in a baking dish with some broth or water and cover with aluminum foil. Heat at 350° F until the pork is hot. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight.
How to Serve Pulled Pork
BBQ pulled pork can be served in a tortilla wrap, on top of a salad, nacho chips, or on a bed of rice. You can also use the meat to stuff into bell peppers, lettuce wraps, quesadillas, or pasta. The possibilities are endless.
Here are a few side dishes I love to serve with slow cooker shredded pork.
- It's great with coleslaw. You can enjoy it on the side or add it on top of your sandwich. Try my jalapeno coleslaw or cranberry apple slaw if you want something a bit different.
- Enjoy your favorite potato side dish. From these mashed potato fries to cheesy potato bites and crispy smashed red potatoes, you can't go wrong!
Recipe Tips
- Cook on Low. While technically you can cook the pork in the slow cooker on high, the results are better when it's cooked slowly.
- Use the Right Pork. Choose a cut of pork with a lot of marbling and connective tissue. This will melt down as the pork cooks so it's perfectly tender.
- Any Soda Will Do. The flavors of Dr. Pepper work well with this dish but really any type of dark soda works great.
- Make It Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the spice mixture when seasoning the pork.
Recipe FAQs
You can but the results aren't the same. These cuts of pork don't have as much fat or tissue so while they will cook up tender they don't tend to pull apart as easily to make shredded pork as you see pictured here.
Best Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe Video
Feast your eyes on this video below and see just how delicious this pulled pork is made!
More Best Pork Recipes
Do you like hearty meals with pork? Here are some recipes you may also like to try!
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Best Crock Pot Pulled Pork with Dr. Pepper
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 4 pound pork shoulder or butt roast
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can (12 oz) Dr. Pepper
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce divided
Optional:
- Buns
- Coleslaw for topping
- Cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the crockpot with a light coating of non-stick cooking spray.
- Season the pork shoulder or butt with salt, garlic powder and pepper, rubbing into the meat on all sides.
- Place the seasoned roast into the crockpot.
- Surround the roast with the chopped onion and minced garlic.
- Pour the Dr. Pepper over the roast.
- Cover and cook for 4-5 hours high or 6-8 hours low.
- Remove the roast from the crock pot and use two forks to shred the meat into bite sized pieces. Discard any larger solid fats.
- Scoop out the onions and combine with the shredded meat. Discard the leftover cooking juices in the crock pot.
- Return meat and onions to the crock pot and stir in 1 cup of BBQ sauce. Toss until well combined.
- Keep on warm until ready to serve. Then serve on hamburger buns with coleslaw and the extra sauce.
Notes
- Cook on Low. While technically you can cook the pork in the slow cooker on high, the results are better when it's cooked slowly.
- Use the Right Pork. Choose a cut of pork with a lot of marbling and connective tissue. This will melt down as the pork cooks so it's perfectly tender.
- Any Soda Will Do. The flavors of Dr. Pepper work well with this dish but really any type of dark soda works great.
Nutrition
This post was originally published April 2018. It has been updated with new content and images.
Michelle says
Didn't leave a rating because I am not making this til late tonight. I got the Dr. Pepper. Just chopped onions; pork shoulder ON SALE. I will get back to you in the morning. But this has to be delicious!
Karin and Ken says
We love it and I can’t wait to hear what you think! All the best. Karin
David says
I have made this a few times now and it is fantastic.
But we all have different tastes, so when you get curious enough
give this a try with root beer.
Karin and Ken says
Root beer works great too. All dark sodas work but we find Dr Pepper tastes just a little better than root beer although you can’t go wrong with either. Thank you for the suggestion. As always I am grateful! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. All the best. Karin
Gina says
I made this yesterday. Absolutely delicious! First time i made pulled pork.... now a big fan of this recipe and will always toast my buns from now on! Super tender! Super Yum! I used pork shoulder, 12oz rootbeer, I didnt use hot sauce, but followed everything as written. Hubby loved it ! Will be my go to for pulled pork! Thank you. Now following for more receipes.
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for taking the time to comment! So happy you enjoyed it! I love this recipe! So easy and always delicious! Toasting the buns makes the buns not soggy and the sandwich much more enjoyable! I am glad you decided to join us on our food journey! Hopefully you will find some other recipes that you like just as much! Take care and be well. Karin