Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe. This easy Barbecue Pulled Pork recipe gives you juicy and tender pulled pork cooked hands-off in the slow cooker. Rich Barbecue flavor from the Barbecue rub and Barbecue sauce makes this easy pulled pork the best ever.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

This Barbecue Pulled Pork Recipe is an easy “leave it and forget it” dinner. This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe is Perfect for busy weekdays and you can repurpose the leftovers all week long too.

Our schedule is crazy during the week. Quick and easy dinners are a must but I want to be eating REAL food that tastes amazing too. Not freezer dinners or “meh” recipes just to get something on the table. This slow cooker bbq pulled pork hits the spot for the time needed to cook it and a tasty meal. My whole family loves it when I make slow cooker bbq pulled pork and they love it when we have leftovers they can enjoy throughout the week.

slow cooker pulled pork in the slow cooker

I know there are many ways to cook pulled pork, you can bake it in the oven, on the grill or in a smoker, using a slow cooker is by far the easiest way I have found to do it. It also is the hardest way to mess up because if you leave it in the cooker a little bit longer then it should be you do not totally ruin it.

This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe has been my go-to recipe for years. I originally shared the recipe back in 2014 and it was for sure time for some updated photos and answering questions that people have asked about making it.

The best part aside from it being super tasty is that, at the end, there’s virtually no dishes to wash!

slow cooker pulled pork cooked in the slow cooker

What to Make with Pulled Pork

This Crockpot Pulled Pork has become one of my go-to’s when I know we’re about to have a crazy week. It’s an easy dinner on its own, with a side dish or two, and then it can be repurposed into a variety of other pulled pork recipes. Depending on our mood depends on what I turn it into or if we just eat it by itself with some side dishes.

Pulled Pork Tacos
Pulled pork sandwiches
Pulled Pork Sliders
Pulled Pork Burritos
Southwest Salad

slow cooker pulled pork sandwich on a plate

What toppings go on Pulled Pork Sandwiches?

I love putting homemade slaw on top of our pulled pork sandwiches, which I have included the recipe for that below. If you are not a fan of slaw then there are lots of other toppings that are great for making pulled pork sandwiches.

Cheese. American Cheese, Cheddar cheese, and provolone cheese are our go tos.
Roasted Red Peppers
Pickles
Sautéed mushrooms
Sautéed Onions

What to Serve with Pulled Pork

We enjoy this pulled pork on its own, with a side, our favorite is Baked Macaroni and Cheese, and also enjoy making pulled pork sandwiches, topped with coleslaw and sometimes cheese! Slow cooker pulled pork pairs well with basically any BBQ side dish you can think of. A few of our favorites:

What is the Best cut of Meat for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork?

I like to stick with a pork shoulder however you may see it labeled as pork butt or Boston butt in the store. You can use bone in or boneless pork shoulder for this recipe. If you are using a bone in pork shoulder you will want to remove the bone before shredding it.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Prep Ahead Info

If you want to prep ahead you can. The night before you’re going to make this, you just need to add the dry rub to the pork and let it marinate overnight. Then in the morning, add the pork and other ingredients to the crockpot, and then you don’t have to touch it again, until the final 2 hours of cooking where you just need to shred and add the BBQ sauce.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Pulled pork leftovers are the best! Allow it to cool and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave.

Can Barbecue Pulled Pork be frozen?

Yes! Allow the meat to cool completely and store in a freezer zip close bag and freeze. It will keep for up to 3 months.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork Ingredients

Pork Shoulder
Barbecue Dry Rub seasoning. I like GrillMates Pork Rub and Jack Daniels Pork Rub.
Bay Leaves
beef stock, you can also use chicken stock
Barbecue Sauce

How to Make Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork

Cover the Pork Shoulder in dry rub.

Add the beef stock, bay leaves, and pork shoulder into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.

Remove the cooked pork and the bay leaves from the slow cooker. Remove half of the liquid from the slow cooker. I find it best to do this with a liquid measuring cup.

Remove the bone from the pork shoulder if you used a bone in cut of meat.

Using a fork shred the pork and add it back into the slow cooker add the Barbecue sauce and mix well.

Cook for an additional 30 minutes on low.

More Slow Cooker Dinner Ideas