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Home » Pork » Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

by Sarah Olson on January 6, 2020 | Updated July 28, 2020 25 Comments

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full slow cooker of shredded pulled pork
collage of pulled pork photos for pinterest

One of the easiest recipes to make in the slow cooker is pulled pork sandwiches! Only two ingredients and you’ll have dinner cooking away.

This is a classic recipe that we love serving with Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese or Root Beer Baked Beans.

Shredded pulled pork with buns and barbecue sauce on side.

I believe this recipe was the third recipe on my blog, first published in February of 2013! Though this is one of my oldest recipes and is one that stands the test of time.

If I know in the morning that I need to feed a large crowd I run to the store and grab what I need for these easy slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches. It’s a crowd pleaser and very economical!

pork shoulder, water and barbecue sauce for pulled pork sandwiches

How to cook pulled pork in the crockpot:

  • Pork Shoulder: Often called pork butt or Boston Butt
  • Barbecue Sauce: We use Sweet Baby Ray’s though any will work great!
  • Water: This keeps the roast from drying out
raw pork in slow cooker with water and barbecue sauce

How long do I cook pork in the slow cooker?

  • The longer the better for pulled pork.
  • 10 hours on low or 7-8 hours on high for larger roasts.
  • If your roast is smaller you can get away with 8-9 hours on low or 6-7 hours on HIGH
cooked pork shoulder in slow cooker

What the best way to shred pulled pork?

  • If your pork is really fatty remove the pork onto a cookie sheet that has a rim on it, this will give you more room to sort out the fatty pieces.
  • Shred with two forks, discard any fatty pieces. Add the meat back to the slow cooker along with some of the juices.
shredded pulled pork on sheet pan with 2 forks on top

Can I add seasoning to this (dry rub)?

  • If you would like to add a rub to the roast you can along with the barbecue sauce and water.
  • You can use a homemade rub or buy a pulled pork seasoning mix.
  • Sprinkle the mix over the pork and rub all over. Continue with the recipe below.

Can I add liquid smoke?

  • Liquid smoke is a great addition to pulled pork sandwiches.
  • You can use hickory, mesquite or applewood flavored liquid smoke.
  • It doesn’t take much at all to flavor this recipe. Only add 1-2 TEASPOONS at the beginning of the cooking time. Not any more.
pulled pork in slow cooker ready to serve

Can I use a different liquid than water?

  • Soda such as Dr. Pepper, Coke, Pepsi or Root Beer.
  • Apple Juice or Apple Cider
  • Beer or Hard Cider

Can I use pork tenderloin for pulled pork?

  • Yes, pork tenderloin will shred just like pork shoulder. Cook on LOW for 8 hours, or high for 4-5 hours.
  • Tenderloin is less fatty and can have less flavor than pork butt but it is a healthier option.
pulled pork sandwich topped with barbecue and coleslaw on the side

Other pulled pork recipes to make in the slow cooker:

  • Slow Cooker Kalua Pig
  • Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
  • Slow Cooker Hard Cider Pulled Pork
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

First Published: 02/17/2013

Updated: 01/06/2020

pulled pork sandwich topped with barbecue and coleslaw on the side

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

5 from 12 votes
Simple two ingredient slow cooker pulled pork, great all day recipe.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: slow cooker pulled pork
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 15
Calories: 272kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 6 lb. pork shoulder or butt (or any size (smaller) will work with this recipe!)
  • 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce (plus more for serving)
  • 1 cup water

For serving:

  • King's brand sweet Hawaiian buns or rolls (regular buns work great too)
  • coleslaw kit (optional)
  • barbecue sauce
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Remove the pork from the wrapper and add to the slow cooker. Add the barbecue sauce over the pork.
  • Add 1 cup water around the roast.
  • Cook on low for 10 hours or on HIGH for 7-8 hours (you can get away with a little less time if your roast is very small)
  • Remove the roast to a plate or a rimmed cookie sheet if it is very large. (Keep about a cup of juices from the roast in the slow cooker)
  • Shred the pork with 2 forks, discard any fat. Add the shredded meat to the slow cooker with reserved juices.
  • Serve the shredded pork on buns with additional barbecue sauce and coleslaw if desired.

Recipe Notes:

Can I add seasoning to this (dry rub)?
  • If you would like to add a rub to the roast you can along with the barbecue sauce and water.
  • You can use a homemade rub or buy a pulled pork seasoning mix.
  • Sprinkle the mix over the pork and rub all over. Continue with the recipe below.
Can I add liquid smoke?
  • Liquid smoke is a great addition to pulled pork sandwiches.
  • You can use hickory, mesquite or applewood flavored liquid smoke.
  • It doesn’t take much at all to flavor this recipe. Only add 1-2 TEASPOONS at the beginning of the cooking time. Not any more.
Can I add a different liquid than water?
  • Soda such as Dr. Pepper, Coke, Pepsi or Root Beer.
  • Apple Juice or Apple Cider
  • Beer or Hard Cider
Can I use pork tenderloin to make pulled pork?
  • Yes, pork tenderloin will shred just like pork shoulder. Cook on LOW for 8 hours, or high for 4-5 hours.
  • Tenderloin is less fatty and can have less flavor than pork butt but it is a healthier option.
Nutritional values are for a 6lb. roast and barbecue sauce, bun and toppings not included. If you use a different size roast the nutritional values will vary.

Nutrition:

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 315mg | Potassium: 659mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Dinner, Pork Tagged With: barbecue, crockpot, easy recipe, pulled pork, sandwiches, slow cooker

    Comments

    1. Morgan says

      January 21, 2021 at 11:07 am

      It says 15 servings… how many oz or cups per serving?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 21, 2021 at 12:44 pm

        We do not calculate that for you. I apologize.

        Reply
    2. Camille says

      January 12, 2021 at 5:50 am

      I only have a 4 quart crockpot. What size Pork Shoulder should I buy and how long should I cook it?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 12, 2021 at 8:47 am

        Hi Camille, I would say about 3 pounds, sometimes they are hard to find and I have to cut a larger one in half and freeze it. I would still cook for a long length, the longer the better. 8-9 on low or 6-7 on high.

        Reply
    3. Quita says

      October 11, 2020 at 1:32 pm

      I see a comment where someone use chicken broth. Have u ever use it for your pull pork. I love pulled pork and always had somebody make it for me. This will be my 1st time making it for myself and 1st time using my slow cooker. I hope this comes out the way it supposed to.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 11, 2020 at 1:53 pm

        Yes, that will work great. It will just add more flavor. Be sure to cook it low and slow and keep the lid on it.

        Reply
    4. Ryan A Griffin says

      July 26, 2020 at 4:14 pm

      5 stars
      Great meal. Easy to make.

      Reply
    5. Leta H. says

      February 12, 2020 at 10:12 am

      I will be trying this recipe today! I’m so excited! Thank you so much for posting simple & easy great tasting recipes!!!!

      Reply
    6. Harriette Kligman says

      January 11, 2020 at 3:01 pm

      I don’t use any pork – can this be made using chicken breasts?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 11, 2020 at 4:01 pm

        Yes, but do add some seasonings to it.

        Reply
    7. George Ross says

      January 11, 2020 at 12:10 pm

      5 stars
      Outstanding Flavor ! A SURE KEEPER!

      Reply
    8. Anonymous says

      January 11, 2020 at 8:06 am

      When do you add the 1 cup of bbq sauce?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 11, 2020 at 8:12 am

        At the beginning, thank you!

        Reply
    9. Sue Wilks says

      January 11, 2020 at 8:04 am

      When do you add the barbecue sauce?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 11, 2020 at 8:12 am

        At the beginning, thank you. I added it.

        Reply
        • Betty Bilnoski says

          January 11, 2020 at 10:23 am

          5 stars
          When I click print, the instructions don’t include to add bbq sauce to pork roast in the beginning.

          Reply
    10. Sandra m jones says

      September 25, 2015 at 2:15 pm

      The pork juices are good, take out h pork and shred….add bbq sauce to the juices and drizzle over the pork before you put on the Cole slaw….you can defat the juices by freezing for a while ….skim the fat and add bbq sauce. I hat up the sauce until I get the right consistency…..delicious either way!

      Reply
    11. Sarah Olson says

      August 21, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      Lindy, thank you so much for posting this on your blog! I’m glad you liked it! 🙂

      Reply
    12. Carol says

      June 4, 2013 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      You can use any barbecue sauce for this recipe. I do it all the time. It’s one of m;y favorites.

      Reply
      • Cheryl Melichar says

        June 6, 2013 at 9:51 am

        Can you use Pork tenderloin? Or won’t they fall apart or shred??

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          June 6, 2013 at 10:34 am

          It would work good and shred well. The tenderloin has less fat than the pork shoulder, so the flavor may be different.

          Reply
      • Karen says

        July 21, 2020 at 4:42 pm

        I make this so often I have done it for over 57 years. What I do I add lots of onion sliced onion in it I use beef or chicken broth instead of water it gives it more flavor I also before I even put it in the slow cooker or in a pan for your oven I brown mine on the stove with a little bit of e d o o l in it and get it kind of crispy or instead of using that you can put it on the barbecue and see red on all sides yum. Then I put it in the Crock-Pot and I cook it all night long on low my house smells amazing. I get up and I take it out the pork roast and take out any fat then I put it back in and I shred it with my hands because it is so tender you don’t need to Forks it just feels right to shred it with my fingers so that I can make sure I feel all that fat that I don’t want in it then I add barbecue thoughts. It is absolutely delicious I tell you though if you want to take a little bit of pork out and get more than one meal out of it you can make carnitas with that pork before barbecue sauce and put hot sauce in it yummy the right good cooking everybody

        Reply
        • Anonymous says

          January 16, 2021 at 11:43 am

          They didn’t have crock pot 57yr ago. What is e d o o l? EVO? recipe looks good, already cooked my pork roast in the oven and now am shredding pork after pork roast dinner with roasted veg’s, then mashed potatoes and pork roast in gravy and today pulled pork and Cole slaw.

          Reply
          • Anonymous says

            January 23, 2021 at 10:10 am

            FYI—Crock pot was invented in 1938. My mother had one made by Rival in the 1960’s and used it all the time.

            Reply
    13. Anonymous says

      May 23, 2013 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so good. I really want to try this

      Reply

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