5.0 from 60 votes
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
You can have smoky, tender pulled pork without a smoker. Your slow cooker can create the most flavorful pulled pork for dinner!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
11 hrs
Servings: 12
Calories: 217 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For Dry Rub
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ TB paprika
- 1 TB kosher salt
- 1 ½ TB freshly ground pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne
- 1 TB garlic powder
- 1 TB onion powder
For Pulled Pork
- 4-5 lbs pork shoulder or pork butt
- 2 cups cola or root beer
- 3 TB liquid smoke
- ¼ cup water
- 30-36 oz Honey BBQ sauce depending on how saucy you want it (we like Sweet Baby Ray's)
Instructions
- Make dry rub by mixing first 7 ingredients together. This can be made days ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.
- Using paper towels, dry pork on all sides to remove all excess moisture. Press dry rub generously onto pork, on all sides. Wrap pork tightly in double foil and let sit overnight in fridge.
- Remove foil from pork and set evenly in slow cooker. Pour in 2 cups cola or root beer and 3 TB liquid smoke. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for about 10 hours.
- Remove and shred pork. Reserve cooked pork juices into separate bowl and skim off fat. Put shredded pork back into slow cooker.
- Add in desired amount of BBQ sauce. Add as much of the reserved pork juices as desired. I use half or more. The meat will soak up a lot of the moisture. Once it is to your liking, cook on low another 30-60 minutes.
- Serve with buns, purple cabbage, red onions, coleslaw, or dill pickles.
Cup of Yum
Notes
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- This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe is best made with pork shoulder or butt. These cuts have enough fat to keep the meat moist and tender during the long cooking process.
- Dry rub is key. It not only adds flavor but also helps form a delicious crust on the pork. Make sure to massage the rub into the meat, covering all sides before letting it rest overnight.
- Adding cola or root beer works wonders. The acidity and sweetness help break down the tough fibers in the pork and keep it juicy.
- Serve this dish with Easy Ranch Potato Salad and Brown Sugar Baked Beans for the perfect meal.
Nutrition Information
Calories
217kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
39g
(13%)
Protein
19g
(38%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
Cholesterol
62mg
(21%)
Sodium
794mg
(33%)
Potassium
515mg
(15%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
32g
(64%)
Vitamin A
261IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
48mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 217
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 217kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 794mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 515mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 32g | 64% |
| Vitamin A | 261IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 48mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.