Description
A simple, slow-cooker pulled pork recipe that yields tender, juicy meat with a bold smoky flavor using just a few pantry staples. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 pounds Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt)
- 1 large Yellow Onion, sliced into rings
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels and trim any large pieces of hard fat, leaving the marbling intact.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper to create the spice rub.
- Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the pork shoulder, ensuring it gets into every nook and cranny.
- Slice the onion into thin rings and mince the garlic.
- Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker to create a natural rack, then sprinkle the minced garlic over the onions.
- Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the onions.
- Pour the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar over the pork, using a brush to spread the sauce evenly over the top.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the meat shreds easily with a fork.
- Remove the pork from the pot and discard the cooked onions and garlic.
- Shred the pork using two forks or your hands (with clean gloves), tossing it with the cooking juices from the bottom of the pot.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or vinegar if needed, then serve on buns with slaw or sides.
Notes
For best texture, use pork shoulder with at least 20% fat content. Do not open the lid frequently during cooking. If the pork is lean, add a splash of chicken broth. For deeper smoky flavor, add a teaspoon of liquid smoke. Let the pork rest for 10-15 minutes before shredding to retain moisture. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Served on buns with
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: crockpot pulled pork, slow cooker BBQ, easy pork recipe, meal prep, pulled pork sandwich, smoky pork