Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chow Down
23 Comments Apr 20, 2024
Updated Feb 04, 2025
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This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chow Down is the perfect main dish for putting a delicious dinner on the table or feeding a crowd at your next potluck gathering. A nice-sized pork shoulder is slow cooked in apple cider and barbecue sauce along with an onion and seasoning blend for an amazing taste.
Table of Contents
My Slow Cooker Cornbread and Slow Cooker Southern Fried Corn are perfect additions to this tasty pulled pork.
Why This Pulled Pork Chow Down Recipe Works
I like to cook pork shoulder a few different ways, but this is one of my favorites. The ingredients this recipe calls for makes it incredibly easy to flavor the pork with a taste everyone will be craving seconds for. Not to mention, the pulled pork is versatile for serving.
In addition to serving it over delicious cornbread, it can be used for sandwiches, baked potato topping, and more. As the recipe name suggests, this is a meal you’ll want to “chow down” on.
Recipe Ingredients
- Pork Shoulder: I suggest grabbing a shoulder that’s at least 5 pounds so you’ll have plenty of shredded meat for serving.
- Sauce: Sweet Baby Ray’s Original barbecue sauce is always my go-to and you’ll also need a cup of apple cider. Also, try my Sweet Baby Rays Crockpot Chicken.
- Veggies: Diced sweet onion and diced jalapeno add the perfect flavor (and heat) but you can leave out the jalapeno if you don’t like spicy pulled pork.
- Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and chopped cilantro.
- Cooking Oil: You can use vegetable or canola oil for pan-searing the pork before adding it to the crock pot.
- For Serving: Prepared cornbread (I made a double batch of store bought), extra Sweet Baby Rays, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and dice sweet onion.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – In a small bowl combine the pepper, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika.
Step Two – Remove the pork from its packaging and pat dry with a paper towel.
Step Three – Sprinkle the seasoning mix you just made onto the pork roast.
Step Four – Sear the roast on all sides.
Step Five – Place the seasoned pork roast into the slow cooker.
Step Six – Add the onion, cilantro, jalapeno Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce to the top of the roast.
Step Seven – Add the apple cider around the roast. Cover, and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
Step Eight – Shred the meat with 2 fork right in the slow cooker, discarding any fat.
Step Nine – Stir everything together until well combined. Serve and enjoy!
How to Serve
- Serve the shredded pork over cornbread topped with Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce, sour cream, cheese, sweet onion, cilantro and jalapenos.
- You can also use this shredded pork for tacos, baked potato toppings, or served on a bed of mashed potatoes, rice, cauliflower rice, and the like.
- This meat mixture is also delicious served on a salad.
Recipe FAQs
While pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is the traditional cut used for pulled pork due to its tender and flavorful meat, you can also use pork loin or a combination of pork loin and pork belly for a leaner option. Keep in mind that leaner cuts may require shorter cooking times to prevent them from drying out.
Leftover pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you have a larger batch or won’t consume it within that time frame, you can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To freeze, portion the pulled pork into smaller containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Thaw frozen pulled pork overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipes:
- Slow Cooker Hard Cider Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Jalapeno Pork Tacos
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Cuban Pork
- Slow Cooker Bourbon Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Kalua Pig
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chow Down
Ingredients
- 5 pounds pork shoulder
- ½ tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil, vegetable or canola
- ½ cup diced sweet onion
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tsp. diced jalapeno, leave out if you don’t like spicy
- 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Original Barbecue Sauce
- 1 cup Apple Cider
For Serving:
- Prepared Cornbread, I made a double batch of store bought cornbread mix in a 9×13 pan
- Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce
- Sour cream
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Diced sweet onion
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the pepper, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Remove the pork from its packaging and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mix you just made onto the pork roast.
- Set a large skillet to medium-high heat.
- Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Sear the roast on all sides.
- Place the seasoned pork roast into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add the onion, cilantro, jalapeno Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce to the top of the roast. Add the apple cider around the roast.
- Cover, and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
- Shred the meat with 2 fork right in the slow cooker, discarding any fat.
- Serve the shredded pork over cornbread topped with Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce, sour cream, cheese, sweet onion, cilantro and jalapenos.
- ENJOY!
Sarah’s Notes
- Nutritional values do not include the cornbread or toppings.
- Leftover pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you have a larger batch or won’t consume it within that time frame, you can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To freeze, portion the pulled pork into smaller containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Thaw frozen pulled pork overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Love crockpot cooking. Will be following your recipes for sure
Can you make this on high instead of low? And if so, how long would you cook it?
I would cook for 5-6 hours on high.
I made the pulled pork with stuff I had lying around — leftover pork chops instead of pork shoulder, smoked paprika instead of jalapenos, and apple cider vinegar instead of apple cider. This is a great and easy recipe!
yum yum yum
Can I make pulled pork with pork tenderloin using Sweet Baby Ray’s?
You can. But beware it tastes like a diet dish, not much flavor.
I didn’t like the sour taste from the apple cider, I served it with Coleslaw salad to take out the sour taste. I always use Baby rays, next time I will definitely skip the cider.
Apple cider isn’t sour. Maybe you used apple cider vinegar?
Can I use Chicken instead of pork? If so what would I do differently? I really want to make this but I have several family members who don’t like pork.
Yes! I think chicken would work great.
Just wish I could buy Sweet baby Rays here but I will have to find a local subsitute.