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4.8 from 42 votes

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This slow cooker pulled pork is easy to make with pork shoulder, aka pork butt, onion, beer, sugar, and spices, and it capably feeds a crowd. (Just be certain to stash some in the back of the fridge so you have leftovers.)

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 hrs
Total Time
10 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 233 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • One (8-pound) pork butt (aka pork shoulder)
  • 1 large onion grated
  • One (12-ounce) bottle beer (any good lager works)
  • 6 ounces store-bought or homemade tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Cut the pork butt into 4 or 5 large pieces that will fit in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Cut off any large hunks of fat. (You don’t need that much fat since the pork is cooking in liquid.) Rub the spice mixture all over the pork.
  3. Mix together the onion, beer, tomato paste, soy sauce, and cinnamon stick in the slow cooker. Add the pork to the liquid, cover, and cook on low for 10 to 10 1/2 hours.
  4. Move the pork to a roasting pan and let it cool for a few minutes. Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a heatproof bowl or measuring cup, and discard the cinnamon stick.
  5. Remove and discard any remaining visible hunks of fat from the pork. Shred the pork pieces using 2 forks or these nifty things that shred the meat for you known as meat claws or meat shredders. The pork should fall apart quite easily.
  6. Return the shredded pork to the empty slow cooker. Pour the cooking liquid back into the slow cooker in 1-cup increments until the pork is moist but not soupy. You will probably need 2 to 3 cups of liquid, but feel free to add more or less to taste. Just remember that if your pork is too wet, it will be soggy later.
  7. Keep the pulled pork warm while serving. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week or freeze in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to a few months.

Notes

  • Slow cooker setting--We don't recommend cooking this on high. The low setting on your slow cooker will give you the best results.
  • Servings--One pound of pork butt will serve approximately 3 people.
  • Reheating leftovers--Leftover pulled pork can be reheated in a skillet with a little oil over medium-low heat, or in the slow cooker for about 1 hour. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutrition Information

Serving 0.5cup Calories 233kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 29g (58%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 90mg (30%) Sodium 587mg (24%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 6g (12%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 233

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.5cup
Calories 233kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Protein 29g 58%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 90mg 30%
Sodium 587mg 24%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 6g 12%

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