Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
14 Comments Apr 03, 2024
Updated Jul 23, 2024
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Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork is a classic recipe everyone must try! Tender pork with root beer and barbecue sauce, great on buns or even rice.
Soda is often used in crock pot recipes to help tenderize the meat! Also, try my coca cola pot roast recipe!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Root Beer Pulled Pork
If you’re looking to put a fun twist on your pulled pork recipe, this is the one to try. I received this recipe from a dear friend, and I’m sure glad I got it! What’s the magic ingredient? Root beer! This unconventional twist infuses a sweet and slightly tangy flavor into the pork, creating a dish that will leave your family (or guests) asking for more.
Not only does cooking with root beer add depth to the meat, but it also adds a unique, caramelized flavor that will make this dish a big hit at any gathering. 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.
Whether you’re hosting a game day party, a potluck, or a laid-back weekend gathering, Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork is your go-to option. We love to serve this along with Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob and Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pork Shoulder: A boneless pork shoulder of any size works. Also, try our slow cooker cuban sandwiches.
- Root Beer: Just one can will do the trick.
- Sweet Baby Rays: This is my favorite barbecue sauce to use, but you can use whatever brand (and flavor) you prefer.
- Buns: For making sandwiches.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Add the pork shoulder to the slow cooker.
Step Two – Pour over the root beer.
Step Three – Then add the bbq sauce.
Step Four – Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours.
Step Five – Remove the pork from the slow cooker onto a sheet tray or large plate. Shred the meat with two forks and discard any fat.
Step Six – Add the pork back into the slow cooker into the juices. Serve and enjoy!
How to serve Root Beer Pulled Pork:
- Serve it up on hamburger buns for classic pulled pork sandwiches, or get creative with pork tacos, nachos, or even loaded fries.
- Offer an array of toppings like pickles, jalapeños, or crispy onions to customize sandwiches and add layers of flavor and texture.
- Serve on top of steamed white rice or as a topping for loaded baked potatoes. If you have second crockpot use my slow cooker baked potatoes recipe.
- Pair your pulled pork with classic sides like mashed potatoes, slow cooker baked beans, slow cooker mac and cheese, or a crisp garden salad.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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, or 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!
Yes! Pork does excellent in the instant pot, use this instant pot root beer pork recipe if you want to use an instant pot.
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.
Other slow cooker pulled pork recipes:
- Slow Cooker Cuban Pork
- Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Bourbon Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Pineapple Jalapeno Pork Tacos
- Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Kaula Pig
- Slow Cooker Chile Verde
Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork
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.
Sarah’s Notes
- Cola or Dr. Pepper can be used instead of Root Beer with similar results.
- This recipe does not require browning the meet ahead of time, though if you prefer to brown your pork, that is fine too.
- If you want a spicy pork, add 2 sliced jalapenos at the beginning of the cooking time.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Can you prepare it the night by putting the root beer and bbq sauce on it to marinate?
Yes, preparing the night before will work just fine!
Thank you!
Needs some spices for meat. Sauce too watery and not tasty. Disappointed.
Does the cooking time vary based on how many pounds you are cooking? And do you pour some of the liquid out before adding the meat back in or do you use it all? thanks so much!
The cooking time will vary, but you can’t overcook it! Yes, I remove some of the liquid before adding the meat back.
I love this it’s so easy……only way to go….
it says 8 hrs 10 mins in the recipe but then it says cook on low or 10 hours – which is it ?
10 hours, thank you.
Have just looked up ‘root beer’ and the closest we have here in the UK is Dandelion & Burdock
Dr.Pepper is a popular beverage for pulled pork.Do you have that?
Thank you for this recipe!! This is a terrific recipe and the taste is wonderful. I recommend it. For extra juiciness I use two cans of root beer and for a pit flavor also add 2 tablespoons of liquid smoke When finished, I add another 2/3 bottle of Sweet Baby Raes and mix it in throughly.
I have a very large Pork loin in the freezer. Do you think it could work in this recipe?
You can, though whenever I’ve used pork loin for pulled pork, it’s more on the healthy side and not quite the same.