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How to make Pulled Pork

Tender, juicy, and perfectly cooked Pulled Pork you can make in the oven, slow cooker or instant pot.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
5 hrs
Total Time
5 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 310 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 lb pork shoulder , or butt
  • 2 Tablespoons oil (optional if searing)
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces coke (not diet)
  • bbq sauce for coating meat optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Trim pork of excess fat and cut into 4 pieces.
  2. Combine spices in a small bowl and rub all over the pork. (This can be done the night before).
  3. Sear (optional): Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a Dutch oven pot over medium-high heat. Add the meat and sear for a few seconds on all sides.
  4. Oven Method: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Pour coke around the pork in the Dutch oven pot. Cover pot with lid and cook for 3 hours. Remove lid and cook for an additional 1-2 hours, until pork is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. Remove from pot then shred meat on a cutting board. Toss in barbecue sauce, if desired.
  5. Slow Cooker Method: Place pork in slow cooker and pour coke around it. Cover and cook on LOW (recommended) 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork.
  6. Instant Pot Method: Place pork in instant pot and pour coke around it. Cook on Manual/High pressure for 70 minutes. When timer beeps, allow the pot to naturally release pressure, about 15 minutes longer. Remove lid and shred the meat.

Notes

  • Coke: The coke adds sweetness and tenderizes the meat (Diet soda wont produce as great of results). Root beer would make a good substitute. If you don't want to use soda you can substitute another acid, like 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar mixed with one cup of apple juice.
  • Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Find reheating instructions above in the post. 
  • Serving size: This recipe will yield about 2 pounds of cooked pulled pork; enough to serve about 6 people (5 oz per serving). See the post above for my tips for calculating how much pulled pork you'll need for a larger group. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 310kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 9g (3%) Protein 36g (72%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 124mg (41%) Sodium 554mg (23%) Potassium 667mg (19%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 406IU (8%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 310

% Daily Value*

Calories 310kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 9g 3%
Protein 36g 72%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 124mg 41%
Sodium 554mg 23%
Potassium 667mg 14%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 406IU 8%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.