Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork has been in my recipe repertoire for over 4 years now.  Consistently delicious, this pulled pork is succulent, smokey and unbelievably tender.  The best part?  It’s so easy.  Marbled chunks of pork are showered in a fragrant flurry of spices, then cooked for hours in a bath of liquid smoke.  Usually, you should use liquid smoke sparingly; however, this recipe calls for an unabashed 1/2 cup.  As the pork cooks throughout the day, you’re entire house will be enveloped by an drool-inducing fragrance.  The finished pork is packed with a smoky savoriness that one would think came from hours of cooking in a traditional smoker.

Years ago, I served this pulled pork with a cool, crunchy slaw on top.  Recently, I’ve been substituting in tart pickled red onions.  I love the contrast of the rich meat and the spicy, acidic pickles.  Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is perfect for a crowd, and would certainly fit in at any testosterone-charged Super Bowl party.  You need to make this.  Continue reading for the recipe.

Spice Blend Meat and Spices Spiced Pork Ribs

5.0 from 2 reviews

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Author: 
Recipe type: Dinner
 

Adapted from here.
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup paprika
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard (preferably freshly ground)
  • 6 pounds largely boneless country-style pork ribs (Boston butt, pork shoulder or picnic ham will also work)
  • 1/2 cup hickory bottled smoke
  • Toasted buns, for serving
  • BBQ sauce, for serving
  • Pickled Red Onions, for serving

Instructions
  1. Combine paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder and dry mustard in a small bowl, whisking to combine. Measure out a heaping 1/4 cup of rub and save remainder in an airtight container. This makes enough rub for 2 batches of pulled pork.
  2. Cut pork into 3-inch chunks (precision is not needed here). Sprinkle each chunk of pork with the rub, coating each side. Pour bottled smoke into the bottom of a large slow cooker, then add chunks of rubbed pork.
  3. Cover and cook on low from 10 to 12 hours until the pork shreds very easily. Using a slotted spook, scoop the pork from the juices at the bottom.* Shred pork and discard any bones.
  4. To serve, pile pork high on a toasted bun. Slather with BBQ sauce and top with sliced of Pickled Red Onion.

Notes
*If you have leftover pork, be sure to save these flavorful juices. Cover and store in the refrigerator. The next day, skim off any fat that has congealed on the top. When you are ready to reheat, spoon the congealed juices over the pork. As the dish warms up, the juices will melt and keep the pork nice and moist.

Related articles and recipes:

Pulled Pork + Beer Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Slider Recipes

Slow Cooker Pulled Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Cherry Barbecue Sauce

Brioche Burger Buns

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12 Responses to Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

  1. 1
    Cory says:

    Thanks for this delicious slow cooker version. It sure beats my recipe. I can’t wait to try it.

  2. 2
    Darlene says:

    I cannot wait to try this recipe in my almost, brand new slow cooker. Looks like a great recipe to make in the morning and it will be ready at by the time I’m ready to eat dinner.

  3. 3

    Just saw it on FG too! Great photos, as always!

    My husband would LOVE this one! :)

  4. 4

    I made Pulled Pork burger once a couple months back and my family devoured them down. But boy! it was a lot of work to me. Can’t wait to try out using a slow cooker for a change. Great clicks too. Drooling here :P . ♥ Jo

    • 4.1
      Brandon Matzek says:

      Thanks Jo! Yeah, this method is super easy. I think I’m going to have to try putting some pork on a burger next time :)

  5. 5

    Boy is this sandwich making me hungry. Pulled pork is probably my favorite thing to make in the slow cooker.

  6. 6

    This is now the 4th time I’ve been reminded of BBQ this weekend alone. It’s a sign! I love this so much. As it’s been cold lately, it’s a perfect reason to nom on these =)

  7. 7
    Shilo says:

    My boyfriend made this last week and it was delicious. I’ve never been a fan of pulled anything and this has converted me much to his delight. Thank you for such fabulous recipes.

  8. 8

    [...] this recipe, I used some leftover Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.  This method is easy, and the finished pork tastes like it sat in a smoker all day [...]

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