Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork is a recipe a classic recipe everyone must try! Tender pork with root beer and barbecue sauce, great on buns or even rice.
I received this recipe from a dear friend. When I asked her for the recipe she said just plop the pork in, dump a can of root beer and add a couple of squirts of barbecue. My friend cooks her recipe for 15+ hours though I think 10 hours is a good amount of time for tender fall off the bone pork.
How to make Root Beer Pulled Pork:
You will need:
- A pork shoulder (any size works!)
- 12 oz. can root beer
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (I use Sweet Baby Rays
Directions:
- I like to rinse and pat dry my pork before adding to the slow cooker for it can be slimy. Add the pork shoulder to the slow cooker.
- Pour over the barbecue sauce and root beer.
- Cover and cook on low for 10 hours.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker onto a sheet tray or large plate. shred the meat with two forks and discard any fat.
- Add the pork back into the slow cooker into the juices.
How to serve Root Beer Pulled Pork:
- Pile high on hamburger buns
- Serve on top of steamed white rice
- With mashed potatoes.
Should I brown the pork?
- Browning meat before adding to the slow cooker is not necessary. The slow cooker will fully cook the meat in the allotted time.
- If you feel you’d like to brown the pork you can. The cook time remains the same. Some say browning the meat can add more flavor to a dish.
Can I use a different kind of soda?
Yes! Though a different soda will make this taste different it is okay to use a different kind of soda. Try one of these instead:
- Dr. Pepper
- Coke or Pepsi
- Ginger Ale
- Diet sodas can be used but only if you are used to the flavoring of it.
- Hard cider or beer can even be used!
I’m short on time, can I put this in my instant pot?
Yes! Pork does great in the instant pot, use this recipe if you want to use an instant pot.
Can I use this recipe with chicken?
I do make a recipe similar to this with chicken, though I add a few more ingredients for chicken can have less flavor than pork. Here is my recipe for Slow Cooker Root Beer Chicken.
Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger
Ingredients:
- 4 lb. boneless pork shoulder often called pork butt (3-4 lb roast)
- 12 oz. root beer
- 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce
For Serving:
- Hamburger Buns
Instructions:
- Add the roast, root beer, and barbecue sauce to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours, without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Once cooked, remove the roast and shred; discarding any fatty pieces.
- Replace the shredded meat back into the sauce remaining in the slow cooker; stir.
- Serve on your favorite buns.
Can’t it be cooked on high? How long if so?
I think pork needs a long time, even on high. I would do 6 hours on high.
Thank you for responding! Anxious to see how it turns out!
This was absolutely delicious! Our family will definitely be having it again!
Would you add veggies in with the meat or cook them separately? I like to throw everything in the pot together but I am not sure about rootbeer soaked veggies. Thanks.
If you have a glass Pyrex dish you can put the veggies in that off to the side, tossed in oil. Veggies only need about 3 hours though.
Is it possible to make it “plain” and slow cook it in only the root beer, not the bbq sauce? My one daughter prefers to top hers with ketchup instead of bbq sauce 🙂 I wouldn’t want to risk the pork being dry though.
Yes Laura that would work fine, I would season the pork a bit with salt, pepper and onion powder. Or if you make this recipe as is with a large pork roast, if you pull the roast out on to a plate, and shred it there, there won’t be much sauce on it at all for your daughter.
Can you use this recipe and cooking times if I don’t have a slow cooker. I have a Le Creuset pot. I was just worried about it running dry in 8-10 hours with the root beer/bbq sauce quantities. Any thoughts?
Hi Caroline! I used to cook my pork in a le creuset before I got into slow cooker. I remember using this recipe of Jamie Oliver’s. I think 8-10 hours in the oven may be too long. http://aplateofgoodfood.com/slow-cooked-beer-braised-pulled-pork/ I don’t know how the cooking times would work with this root beer recipe though. Perhaps try searching for oven root beer pulled pork and find a similar recipe. Sorry I am not too much help.
hii Can I substitute it with chicken breast?
I don’t see why not. Actually would be good! Let me know how it turns out.
Should you defrost pork b4 so cooking or just add extra time?
I would defrost it if you have time. 🙂
Try adding thinly sliced onions delicious
LovE the ease of this recipe
That sure couldn’t be any easier and Grampy loves pork! Thanks Sarah!
Recipes like this are my favorite kind of slow cooker recipes! Looks so delicious, Sarah!
I love how easy this is too. I’ve made similar pork in the slow cooker with Coke, but never root beer. Sounds so delicious I need to try this!
I love how easy this is and will be making this very soon! I also wish I was sitting around YOUR campfire!