Crock Pot Pulled Pork
53 Comments Feb 24, 2022
Updated Jun 02, 2025
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Easy Crock Pot Pulled Pork is one of the most magical things you can make with your slow cooker! Only three ingredients, and you’ll have dinner cooking away.
I believe this recipe was the third recipe on my blog, first published in February 2013. Although it’s one of my oldest recipes, it has stood the test of time. One taste, and you’ll be making this bbq pulled pork every week!
If I have out-of-town guests coming at the last minute, I grab one of these roasts at the store, so I don’t have to worry about dinner.
What You’ll Need
Pork Shoulder Roast: This cut of meat is 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.
Variations
Spicy– Add a spicy bbq sauce or one minced jalapeno. Or add a 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Peachy – Add one cup of peach preserves and one tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to the recipe at the beginning of cooking.
Beer-Braised – Use beer instead of water for a beer-braised pork butt- be sure everyone on your guest list is okay with added beer. Add a teaspoon of garlic powder and tomato paste for a perfect match with the beer.
Other Additions – Liquid Smoke, diced white onion, brown sugar and a dry rub seasoning are great additions. Make the recipe your own.
Cook’s Notes
The longer pork shoulder cooks in the slow cooker, the better it gets! I’ve even had readers say they’ve cooked it for 12+ hours.
Pulled pork freezes great—just pack it into freezer zip-top bags and freeze for up to three months. Be sure to thaw it in the fridge the day before you need it.
You’ll know it’s done when the pork shreds easily with a fork. Still, let it cook the full time so it’s evenly tender throughout.
I don’t recommend using pork loin for this—it’s too lean and doesn’t make the best pulled pork sandwiches.
Serving ideas
Here are some of our favorite ways to serve BBQ pulled pork—perfect for dinner, leftovers, or your next gathering! 🍽️🔥
- Sandwiches -Make sandwiches out of the bbq pork. You can use hamburger buns or our favorite- sweet Hawaiian buns! They now sell them in large-sized buns. Add a heaping pile of coleslaw on top of each sandwich if desired.
- BBQ quesadilla – Use the pork to fill a quesadilla. Mozzarella cheese is the best with pork and barbecue sauce. Great for using up that leftover pork.
- Cornbread Topping – We LOVE adding pulled pork on top of cornbread, it’s such a comforting meal. Also add sour cream, onion and cilantro for even more flavor.
- Add Side Dishes – We love to fire up our extra crock pots and also make Crockpot Mac and Cheese, Crockpot Collard Greens and Crockpot Baked Beans.
Featured Comment
“It turned out absolutely fantastic, thanks so much!”
– reyas
Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
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 (if making sandwiches):
- King's brand sweet Hawaiian buns or rolls, (regular buns work great too)
- coleslaw kit, (optional)
- barbecue sauce
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.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Slow Cooker Pork Recipes
Crockpot Ribs are a classic, fall-off-the-bone favorite made easy with smoky seasoning and barbecue sauce.
Slow Cooker Kalua Pig brings tender, smoky island flavor with minimal ingredients, perfect for a no-fuss dinner.
For a sweet and tangy twist, try Root Beer Pulled Pork, Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork, or Beer Pulled Pork—each one brings its own bold flavor to the table.
If you’re looking for a creative way to serve pulled pork, Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a hearty, flavorful option that’s anything but ordinary.
Never having made pulled pork, I was in search of a fool-proof recipe. I definitely found it! Easy to make and so delicious.
It was a hit with the family; and I will certainly use this recipe again. Thank you!
EASY and the pork is delicious! This is my second time using the recipe. I’m adding some liquid smoke, just to try.
Can I make the pulled pork with a 7.27lb pork shoulder instead of smaller? Is it still the same time and same ingredients?
It’s hard to say how long exactly it will take. Though, about 10 hours is probably right.
If I wanted to use coke instead of water, would I still add the same amount? 1 cup no matter which liquid we use? Thanks!!
Yes!
What about salt pepper onion power ? What seatings can I use
You can use all of those! Anything you want. I wouldn’t add too much salt though.
Sorry to bother you again. I didn’t add any of those things I just added those three ingredients. And I did it overnight because I wanted it ready for this morning. But now I don’t need it ready until dinner time can I keep the crockpot on warm? There is enough liquid in the bottom.
Four hours is the max you want to keep food on warm.
The entire family loved it!
Omitting the BBQ sauce. Will the 1 cup of liquid be ok? Or should I supplement another, cup for 2 cups total?
It will be plenty!
I followed your recipe, after 8 hours pork was still firm not shreadable. I switch to 75 minutes pressure cooking, i was able to shred it. I have an Instant Pot it has 3 slow cook setting. Low =180 to 190, Medium = 190 to 200 and High 200 to 210. In general, Low setting on a slow cooker = 190 degrees F and High setting = 300 degrees F. Should i have used Medium for my IP
The instant pot doesn’t cook correctly on the slow cooker function. It cooks very very low. I would cook it on high.
It says 15 servings… how many oz or cups per serving?
We do not calculate that for you. I apologize.
I only have a 4 quart crockpot. What size Pork Shoulder should I buy and how long should I cook it?
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.
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.
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.