10+ Pulled Pork Crock Pot Recipes for Easy, Delicious Meals

Pulled pork crock pot recipes let you enjoy tender, flavorful meat with little effort. Using a slow cooker makes mealtime easier because you can set it and forget it.

These recipes help you create juicy, fall-apart pork using simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time.

You don’t need to be a cooking expert to make pulled pork in a crock pot. Whether you want something classic or with a twist, slow cooking brings out rich flavors and makes the pork very tender.

This article will help you get started with easy steps that fit your busy schedule.

1) Classic Texas-Style Pulled Pork with BBQ Sauce

You’ll love making classic Texas-style pulled pork in your crock pot. Start with a pork shoulder, also called a Boston butt.

This cut stays tender and juicy when cooked slowly. Place the pork in the slow cooker with broth, apple cider vinegar, onions, and a jalapeño for mild heat.

These flavors make the pork taste rich and slightly tangy. Let it cook on low until it’s easy to shred.

After cooking, pull the pork apart with forks. Mix it with your favorite BBQ sauce.

This adds a smoky, tangy flavor that makes the pork perfect for sandwiches or on its own.

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 lbs pork shoulder (Boston butt)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 jalapeño, sliced
• 1 to 2 cups BBQ sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Put broth, vinegar, onion, and jalapeño in the slow cooker.
2. Add pork shoulder on top.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or until pork shreds easily.
4. Remove pork and shred with two forks.
5. Mix shredded pork with BBQ sauce.
6. Serve warm.

For a detailed recipe, see slow cooker Texas pulled pork with BBQ sauce.

2) Apple Cider Vinegar Pulled Pork with Garlic Herb Rub

This pulled pork recipe uses apple cider vinegar to keep the meat tender and add a bit of tang. You’ll coat the pork with a garlic herb rub that brings out lots of flavor without being too strong.

Start by rubbing the pork shoulder with a mix of garlic powder, dried herbs, salt, and pepper. The vinegar helps break down the meat fibers for tenderness.

Add the vinegar and some apple juice or water to the slow cooker to create a flavorful base. As it cooks on low, the pork will soak up the spices and vinegar’s tanginess.

When done, the meat pulls apart easily, making it perfect for sandwiches or tacos.

Ingredients

• 4-pound pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dried herbs (such as thyme or oregano)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup apple juice or water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix garlic powder, herbs, salt, and pepper.
2. Rub mixture all over pork shoulder.
3. Place pork in slow cooker.
4. Pour apple cider vinegar and apple juice (or water) in the slow cooker.
5. Cook on low for 8–10 hours or until pork is tender (about 190°F/88°C internal temperature).
6. Remove pork, shred with forks, and mix with cooking juices before serving.

3) Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tangy Slaw

This slow cooker pulled pork recipe is simple and full of flavor. The pork cooks on low until it’s tender enough to shred easily.

Mix the pork with a tangy barbecue sauce for a nice balance of smoky and sweet tastes. Pair the pork with a fresh, tangy slaw to add crunch and brightness.

The slaw usually includes shredded cabbage and apple or vinegar for a little zing. Serve it all on buns for an easy and tasty meal.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded
• 1 apple, peeled and shredded
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
2. Pour barbecue sauce over pork.
3. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
4. Remove pork and shred with forks.
5. Toss shredded pork with the sauce in the slow cooker.
6. Mix cabbage, apple, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper for slaw.
7. Serve pork on buns with a generous helping of slaw.

4) Crockpot Pulled Pork with Onion and Spices

Start by placing diced onions and garlic in the crockpot. These add flavor and moisture as the pork cooks.

Mix your favorite spices like cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and mustard powder. Rub the spice mix all over the pork shoulder.

Place the pork on top of the onions in the crockpot. Add a splash of vinegar or orange juice to keep the meat tender.

Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the pork is very tender. Shred the meat with forks and mix it with the juices and onions for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 cup vinegar or orange juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place diced onion and garlic in the crockpot.
2. Mix spices and rub all over pork shoulder.
3. Put pork on top of onions.
4. Pour vinegar or orange juice around pork.
5. Cook on low for 8-10 hours (about 225°F / 107°C).
6. Shred pork and mix with juices before serving.

5) BBQ Pulled Pork with Ketchup and Cumin

This pulled pork recipe uses ketchup and cumin for a simple, tasty BBQ sauce. The ketchup adds a mild sweetness and tang, while cumin gives it a warm, earthy flavor.

Cook the pork shoulder slowly in your crock pot. This makes the meat tender and easy to shred.

Mix ketchup, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder for the sauce. Pour it over the pork and let it cook on low.

After several hours, you’ll have juicy pulled pork ready to serve on buns or with sides.

Ingredients

• 4 lb pork shoulder
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the pork with salt and pepper.
2. Place pork in crock pot.
3. Mix ketchup, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, and water.
4. Pour sauce over pork.
5. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or until tender.
6. Shred the pork with forks before serving.

6) Root Beer Pulled Pork Shoulder Roast

You can make tender pulled pork shoulder roast easily in a crock pot using root beer. The root beer adds a subtle sweetness and helps keep the meat juicy while it cooks on low.

Start by rubbing the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, and a little garlic. Pour root beer over the pork in the slow cooker.

Cook the pork on low for 8 to 10 hours. The pork will be fall-apart tender and perfect for sandwiches or tacos.

You can add barbecue sauce after cooking to boost the flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder roast
• 1 can (12 oz) root beer
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Barbecue sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rub pork with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Place pork in slow cooker.
3. Pour root beer over pork.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
5. Remove pork, shred with forks, and mix with cooking juices.
6. Add barbecue sauce if you like, then serve.

For a clear recipe, see Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork sandwiches.

7) Pulled Pork with Brown Sugar Dry Rub

This pulled pork recipe uses a sweet and slightly spicy dry rub. The brown sugar adds a nice touch of sweetness that helps caramelize the pork as it cooks.

The rub also includes paprika and simple spices for good flavor. Coat your pork shoulder with the dry rub before placing it in the crock pot.

Let it cook on low for several hours until the meat is tender and easy to pull apart. The dry rub keeps the pork juicy while adding great taste.

Ingredients

• 1 pork shoulder (3-4 lbs)
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne in a bowl.
2. Rub the mixture all over the pork shoulder.
3. Place the pork in the crock pot.
4. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours until tender.
5. Shred the pork with two forks and stir to mix with the juices before serving.

8) Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Vinegar and Chicken Broth

This slow cooker pulled pork is simple to make. The combination of vinegar and chicken broth keeps the meat tender and juicy.

It adds a nice tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the barbecue sauce. Start by seasoning your pork shoulder well.

Place it in the slow cooker and add diced onions for extra taste. Pour in the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar.

Cook it on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. When it’s done, shred the pork with two forks.

Mix it with the cooking juices for the best flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 medium onion, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the pork with salt and pepper.
2. Place pork in the slow cooker.
3. Add diced onion, chicken broth, and vinegar.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
5. Shred the pork and mix with juices before serving.

More details on this method can be found at Everyday Family Cooking.

9) Pulled Pork Bowls with Pickles and Slaw

You can make a tasty pulled pork bowl using your crock pot. Start by slow-cooking pork shoulder until it’s tender and easy to shred.

Serve the pulled pork over cooked rice or your favorite grain. Add a bright, tangy slaw made with cabbage or other veggies.

Pickles add crunch and a bit of sour flavor. Drizzle BBQ sauce on top.

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 2 cups shredded cabbage or slaw mix
• ½ cup pickles, sliced
• ½ cup BBQ sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place pork shoulder in crock pot.
2. Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours until tender.
3. Shred the pork with two forks.
4. Mix cabbage with a little salt and vinegar to make slaw if you like.
5. Assemble bowl with rice, pulled pork, slaw, and pickles.
6. Drizzle BBQ sauce over the top before serving.

10) Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Tomato Paste and Paprika

This slow cooker pulled pork recipe uses tomato paste and paprika for a rich, smoky flavor. Mix these with spices like garlic powder and sliced onion to make a tasty sauce.

Combine everything in your crock pot, cover, and cook for several hours. The pork turns tender and easy to shred.

Use this pulled pork for sandwiches, tacos, or serve it over rice. It’s a simple, hands-off meal with lots of flavor.

Ingredients

• Pork shoulder or pork butt (3-4 pounds)
• Tomato paste (2 tablespoons)
• Paprika (1 tablespoon)
• Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
• Onion (1, sliced)
• Ketchup (½ cup)
• Vinegar (¼ cup)
• Brown sugar (¼ cup)
• Mustard powder (1 teaspoon)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.

2. Stir to mix the sauce with the pork.

3. Cover the slow cooker.

4. Cook on low for 8 hours.

5. Alternatively, cook on high for 4-5 hours.

6. Remove the pork from the slow cooker.

7. Shred the pork with forks.

8. Put the shredded pork back into the sauce.

9. Stir well.

10. Serve warm.

See more details on slow cooker pulled pork recipes.