Succulent slow cooker pulled pork seasoned to perfection and simmered all day in the slow cooker. Perfect all by itself or for use in many different recipes.
There are few things that are as delicious as perfectly tender, fall off the bone, melt in your mouth slow cooker pulled pork. If the smell of it cooking in your slow cooker isn’t enough to make your mouth water, the moment you pull it out and it see it fall apart certainly will.
Not only is it delicious it’s also so easy and incredibly versatile. I can make one batch of crockpot pulled pork on Sunday and use it for a few different meals throughout the week. It’s economical and delicious, I mean you can’t beat that right?
You don’t need many ingredients to make this seasonings, onions, beef broth and of course the star of the show: the pork.
What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?
When purchasing the meat that you will want to make sure that you buy pork shoulder, sometimes called boston butt. You will find them either bone-in or boneless. When it comes to roasting meat, I typically go for bone in because it tends to be more tender. That being said, cooking in the slow cooker, I find that it doesn’t really matter if you buy boneless or bone-in pork shoulder.
Most pork shoulders will be rather large. My grocery store carries pork shoulders that range between 4 – 6 pounds. For this recipe for slow cooker pulled pork, I used a 5 pound bone-in pork shoulder. If you are using boneless anywhere between 4 and 5 pounds will do just fine. If your grocery store carries larger shoulders you can always ask the butcher to cut one for you.
Step by Step Instructions:
STEP #1: Combine salt, cumin, chili powder, garlic, pepper and oregano together in a bowl. Rub spice mixture all over the pork.
STEP #2: Place onions on the bottom of the slow cooker. Place pork on top of onions. Pour broth over the top. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
STEP #3: Allow the pork to cool slightly and remove to a bowl. Use two forks to shred.
STEP #4: Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the broth. Allow it to set so that the fat rises to the top. Spoon off the fat and pour desired amount of broth of the top of the pork. Just enough to make it moist enough for your liking.
Can you make pulled pork in the Instant Pot?
I know this is a recipe for slow cooker pulled pork, but I have recently discovered that you can also make pulled pork in the instant pot. To make this recipe in the Instant Pot you just need to make a few small changes. First, use the sauté feature to sear the pork on all sides. Then instead of using 5 cups of liquid like you would in the slow cooker, only use 1 cup of beef broth (or water). And then set it for 120 minutes and do a natural release for 20. It is just as succulent as slow cooker pulled pork.
What can you make with slow cooker pulled pork?
Anything. Seriously. I make pulled pork on Sunday and use it to make several different meals throughout the week. I love to use it in Tacos, Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese and Pulled Pork Egg Rolls. Or you can put it on a bun and slather it with Carolina BBQ Sauce or White BBQ Sauce.
Endless possibilities!
Can you freeze pulled pork?
Yes! I have done it several times. I separate it into 2 – 3 cup freezer bags and freeze. Then I can pull it out of the freezer in the morning and use it in the evening for an easy dinner.
Note: This post was originally written in 2009. Photos updated and Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) instructions added in 2021)
Servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 5 pound bone-in pork shoulder
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Combine salt, chili powder, cumin, granulated garlic, pepper and oregano in a bowl.
- Rub spice mixture all over the pork.
Slice the onion and lay it on the bottom of a 5 quart slow cooker. Place the pork on top of the onions. Pour beef broth over the top. Cover and cook for 8 hours.
- Remove from slow cooker. Allow to cool slightly. Remove meat from slow cooker and use two forks to shred.
- If desired, use a fine mesh strainer to strain the broth. Allow it to set so that the fat rises to the top. Spoon off the fat and pour desired amount of broth of the top of the pork. Just enough to make it moist enough for your liking.
- Use in a variety of recipes.
- To make pulled pork in the instant pot: Turn on the saute feature. Sear roast on all sides. Scatter onions around the pork. Pour in 1 cup beef broth. Cook on high pressure for 120 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes. Remove from pot, shred and serve.
Hi Carmela! Thank you for asking! The water in the instructions is a typo from a previous version of the recipe. I updated it recently and made some changes. I will fix it in the instructions right now. You’ll use 3 cups of beef broth.
I read your recipe so how much water and beef broth are you putting in crockpot?
You’re welcome, Michelle! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! :)
I made pulled pork for the first time using this recipe, and it turned out delicious. Thank you so much!
[…] PORK: I always use my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork or my Instant Pot Kalua Pork for this recipe. It can be leftover or you can make it the day of […]
Hi Judy! You’re welcome and Thank you so much!! I hope you enjoy them :)
Hi, I just found your blog and blew through an hour looking at your great recipes. I am ready to try the first one tonight and downloaded 3 others for later. Thanks!
OMG, I love this, different than when I make it in my slow cooker…
We love pulled pork! No doubt this will be an instant hit in my house!
This is perfect for meal prep for the week!
YUM!! Looks so tender and delicious. Love an easy recipe like this!
Oh how delicious this recipe looks! I really like. It’s just incredible. I would like to try your recipe for lunch. Thank you!
This looks like a great dinner! I can’t wait to give it a try!
mmmm..this sounds fantastic!! A must try!!
Looks insanely delicious! Love everything about this recipe, need to try this immediately!
I love using my slow cooker! Can’t wait to try this out in my slow cooker!
We are huge pulled pork fans. Your recipe looks fantastic!
I love this recipe. The meat looks so tender !
[…] 3 cups Slow Cooker Pulled Pork […]
Thanks a lot for the article post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
Pulled pork is always a big hit at my house! I have to give this a try!
What a great pulled pork recipe! I have to put this on my menu!
mmm YES! We love slow cooked pulled pork around here! Perfect for sandwiches or just on a plate with some mashed potatoes and slaw!!
Pulled pork is a favorite of mine! This looks incredible!
Such a yummy classic and few things beat a good pulled pork sandwich!
I love good pulled pork!
I absolutely love this recipe !!!
It was good, but a bit timid on the spices. I added red pepper seeds, cayenne pepper, substituted 1 can of beef broth for French onion, and added an 8th of a cup of balsamic vinegar. Definitely more buffalo in flavor though. Thanks for the inspiration!
[…] you’ve got a slow cooker, making this recipe is easy. Firstly, make the pulled pork in your cooker, whizz up some guacamole with added sriracha, combine the two with cheese, toast it […]
[…] you’ve got a slow cooker, making this recipe is easy. Firstly, make the pulled pork in your cooker, whizz up some guacamole with added sriracha, combine the two with cheese, toast it […]
[…] Cooker Pulled Pork, I Breathe I’m Hungry Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, Life’s Ambrosia Guinness Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, Gimme Some […]
Thank you so much LIz! That is so nice to hear :)
You have amazing recipes! Not one has failed. Thank you for posting these. You are my go to site for new recipes!!
I look forward to trying this recipe but if “Sharkcam” would be willing to share the Kalua Pig recipe I would appreciate it very much as I love kalua pig but don’t like digging holes! Mahalo
Hope you like it Adrienne! I use Kosher salt not because it’s Kosher but because I prefer coarse salt to iodized salt.
Why the kosher salt? Makes little sense to me when eating pork! Will try it out soon. Thanks.
Mmmmmm…. Started this recipe last night… Edited the broth with vegetable broth cause I don’t dig on beef!! Plopped it all in the crock pot this morning!!! Mmmm.. it smelled so good just after 10 min… Can’t wait to get home!!!! Pulled Pork Taco Tuesdays Rock!!! Thanks for the easy recipe!!
I’m on this recipe for “family day” at our place. I’m thinking about replacing the 2C water with a 22oz of Newcastle Ale :)
Thanks Deseree for the recipe!
[…] Dinner: “Kicked Up Southern Comfort”: Spicy Sausage Dip with Chips, Veggies & Dip, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Tossed Green Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Bell Pepper Slaw, Root Beer Baked Beans, Green […]
Hi Miss D- I use low on my slow cooker which is 8 hours. Hope this helps :)
I’m excited, and ready to plop it into the slow cooker, but do I cook it on High, or Low?
You’re welcome Melissa! Thank you for your nice comments and if you try any of the other recipes I hope you like them just as much :)
I made this today and it was fantastic! I peruse a lot of food websites but this is the first time I’ve actually commented. I’m *really* impressed by all of your recipes! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Anne! I love the Asian noodle bowl idea especially with the steamed spinach. I think I will definitely have to try that next time I make this. Thanks for the tip :)
This was wonderful!
I did the suggestion of keeping the pan juices. What I did was put the crockpot back outside (its cold here) to let it cool over night. Then this morning I skimmed off the fat and let the juices simmer. Then for lunch we had asian noodle bowls with a little bit of the pork.
I am out of veggies or I would of added some julienned carrots or steamed spinach to the bowls.
It was very tastey!
The Crock pot rules! I agree about the smell permeating through the house, what torture. I only use mine for one thing, to make Hawaiian Style Kalua Pork. It is a “cheater” version of the roasted pig you get at the Luaus. It is very simple and tastes pretty close to the real thing and you don’t have to dig a pit in the ground and get hot river rocks to cook it!
[…] low for 8 hours, and when you get home, you just need to cook the rice. Life’s Ambrosia has Slow Cooker Pulled Pork that cooks for 8 hours, giving you plenty of time to buy the buns. If you can find the intersting […]
Thank you Julie! I am happy to hear that you enjoyed this! Isn’t it hard to resist just eating it as you are shredding it? I found I had that problem. I hope you enjoyed the sandwiches and the enchiladas :)
I made this recipe today and it is absolutely delicious. Can’t wait to have it in a sandwich tonight and pulled pork enchiladas tomorrow. Such an economical cut of meat, yet so delish!
Thank you everyone for your comments! I think that after reading them all, I am going to save the broth next time. Thank you for the tip. :)
I LOVE making pulled pork in the slow cooker! You really can’t go wrong and it always comes out so tender and juicy. I don’t usually add much liquid to the pot though and I’d hate to waste all that good broth!
I love my slow cooker and have found pulled pork the easiest in it! Im so glad you have now too! this looks GREAT!
Oh the crock pot is a must have cooking essential to have in the kitchen! That pork looks so tender and juicy. You’re right about one thing you can simply kick back and do whatever you like while the crock pot does all of the work for you :)
Why would you discard the wonderful pan juices??? You could use them in soup or chili. Just cool in fridge, remove fat on the top, then freeze and use as a base for something else. mmmmm mmmmmmmm good.
I love using my slow cooker and can’t wait to try your simple yet delicious looking recipe. Thanks!
I too am a crock pot convert — Here’s a VERY easy recipe for a flavorful chicken dish that we enjoy. http://www.madisonhousechef.com/2009/07/chicken-italiano.html
I can’t wait to try the pulled pork!