Make tender, flavorful pulled pork using your slow cooker. This set and forget recipe is perfect for meal prep and family barbecue.
Author:JessT
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:8 hr
Total Time:8 hr 15 min
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Slow Cooking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt), trimmed
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over the entire surface of the pork shoulder.
Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the basin of your slow cooker.
Pour the chicken broth around the pork. Do not pour it directly over the spice rub.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the pork is fork-tender.
Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board or baking sheet. Discard any large pieces of fat.
Use two forks to shred the pork completely.
Pour about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker over the shredded pork to keep it moist.
Stir in 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce until the meat is coated.
Serve immediately on hamburger buns for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, or cool completely for meal prep.
Notes
For extra flavor, sear the seasoned pork shoulder in a hot skillet with a little oil for 2-3 minutes per side before adding it to the slow cooker.
This pulled pork freezes well. Cool it completely, then store in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.
If you prefer a saucier texture, add more BBQ sauce or some of the reserved cooking liquid after shredding.