Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder {Pulled Pork BBQ}

Name: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork BBQ
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 490 min
Ingredients: 1-7 pound bone-in pork butt; Spice rub (recipe below); 5 cups beef boullion; 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar; 8 sandwich rolls; Spicy BBQ Sauce (recipe below); 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp chili powder; 3/4 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp ground chipotle chili pepper; 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 large onion (diced); 1 Tbsp vegetable oil; 12 oz tomato paste; 2/3 cup dark brown sugar; 6 Tbsp apple cider vinegar; 4 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 4 Tbsp molasses; 4 tsp prepared mustard; 2 cups ketchup; 2 tsp chili powder; 2 tsp dry mustard; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp all spice; 1/4 tsp ground red pepper; 2 tsp salt; 3 tsp liquid smoke

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5 from 2 votes

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 8 hours

Total: 8 hours 10 minutes

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Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder or pulled pork BBQ is one of those amazing dishes that just become better with a low and slow cooking process. If you’re looking to wow your family and friends this summer, give this recipe a try! It just might become the most coveted recipe in your recipe box too!

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder (Pulled Pork BBQ) is what summer is all about. This recipe is packed with so much flavor and melt in your mouth pulled pork your family will be begging for more! While it may take a lot of ingredients, the end result is worth the effort.

More Summer fun recipes to make your mouth water.

MORE PORK RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Pan Seared Pork Chops With Beer | Mongolian Pork | Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork

What We Love About This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork BBQ Sauce Recipe

Rich thick bbq sauce and an amazing barbeque rub will make this pork shoulder fall off the bone tender and delicious. The best part is the crockpot really does all the hard work.

10 Minute Prep: Really, it takes only 10 minutes to prepare.
Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry, a combination of so many flavors to crate an amazing barbecue.
Family Friendly: A pulled pork sandwich full of juice and flavor is always a winner.
Makes Great Leftovers: Serve on salad, pork tacos, potatoes or on it’s own.

Two pork sandwiches on a plate with chips.

Ingredient Notes for Best Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Pork BBQ

Bone-in pork: Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt or a similar cut of meat.
Spice Rub: recipe below.
Beef bouillon: Adds a deep flavor and is the cooking liquid for the pork.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides a much needed acid for the pork.
Spicy BBQ Sauce: recipe below

Spice Rub

Dark Brown Sugar
Paprika
Chilli Powder
Ground Cumin
Ground Chipotle Chili Pepper
Ground Ginger
Kosher Salt/ Black Pepper

Spicy BBQ Sauce

Onion, diced
Tomato paste
Dark Brown Sugar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Worcestershire sauce
Molasses
Mustard
Ketchup
Chili Powder
Dry Mustard
Garlic Powder
Allspice
Ground Red Pepper
Liquid Smoke

Equipment Needed

How to Make Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder (Pulled Pork BBQ)

These are the basic steps for making best crock pot pulled pork. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and nutrition information.

STEP 1: SPICE RUB

First, combine all the ingredients for the spice rub in a small bowl.

STEP 2:PORK BBQ

Then rub entire pork roast with the rub and place fat side up in the slow cooker and then pour beef bouillon into the slow cooker and then add vinegar. Cover and cook for 7 to eight hours.

STEP 3: SHRED

Next, remove pork roast from slow cooker and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Use two forks and shred the chunks. Spoon on a bun and top with spicy BBQ sauce.

STEP 4: SPICY BBQ SAUCE

While the pork is cooking, in a large pot, saute onion in vegetable oil over medium heat until softened but not browned. Finally, add all other ingredients and cook for 10-20 minutes, or until sauce thickens to desired consistency.

Prep and Storage Tips

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

This recipe has to be made in advance, you need to cook it for at least 8 hours. The rub can be made and stored in a jar and used any time on anything you like, also the barbecue sauce can be made and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

This BBQ Pork recipe can be frozen in a freezer bag or airtight container in the freezer for up to four months.

HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then rewarm on the stovetop in a sauce pan or warm in the crockpot.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE GLUTEN FREE?

A gluten free bun or serve on a salad.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE DIFFERENT SEASONINGS?

Indeed, onion powder, oregano or whatever your family likes can be used.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

Of course, this recipe can be adjusted for the amount that you need.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOSTON BUTT, PORK BUTT OR PORK SHOULDER?

Truly, all are great protein for barbecue. Here are the basic differences between these cuts of meat.

Expert Tips for Making This Recipe

Add Heat: A little hot sauce changes the complexity of this recipe.
Chicken Broth: Try using a low sodium chicken broth to lighten the pork recipe.
Variation tip: Feel free to add as many tips as you need in this section
Alternate ingredient: Replace some of the bouillon with beer. A dark beer works great.
Alternate cooking method tip: Cook in the oven at 300 degrees for 5 to six hours, when it reaches 145 degrees with a meat thermometer.

What to Side Dishes to Serve with Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder

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5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork BBQ

Yield: 8 servings

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 8 hours

Total: 8 hours 10 minutes

Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder is one of those amazing dishes that just become better with a low and slow cooking process. If you’re looking to wow your family and friends this summer, give this recipe a try! It just might become the most coveted recipe in your recipe box too!

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