The first time I had pulled pork was on a college trip to Memphis, TN. I grew up in Texas. Inspired by the flavors, but with a little Texas flair, I adapted this recipe for weeknight home use. It’s not quite as good as Memphis-style smoked pulled pork, but it’s a good start to the week. Plus it’s easy to make, feeds at least six, and makes great use of pork tenderloin.
Pulled pork is one of those iconic comfort foods that immediately makes you think of lazy Sundays, backyard barbecues, and home There’s just something so warm and nostalgic about fall-apart, smokey shredded pork piled high on soft buns or tortillas
While traditional pulled pork is made with pork shoulder or butt roast braised low and slow until ultra tender, you can actually achieve similar results with a quick and easy crockpot pulled pork tenderloin recipe. With just a few ingredients and set-it-and-forget cooking, you can have delicious pulled pork tenderloin ready in just 4-5 hours.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork tenderloin easily in the crockpot, including:
- Benefits of Using Tenderloin
- Ingredients & Equipment Needed
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Storage & Reheating Tips
So let’s get cooking! Here’s how to make the most flavorful and fork-tender pulled pork tenderloin in a crockpot.
Why Use Pork Tenderloin for Pulled Pork?
While pork shoulder or butt is the traditional choice, pork tenderloin offers some advantages
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Quicker Cook Time: Tenderloin only needs 4-5 hours on high in the crockpot vs. 8-10 for shoulder.
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Lower Fat: Tenderloin is a leaner cut than shoulder.
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Budget-Friendly: Tenderloins are smaller, so more affordable per serving.
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Easily Scalable It’s easy to fit 2-3 tenderloins in a crockpot to feed a crowd
So if you’re short on time or watching your fat intake, tenderloin is a great option for easy shredded pork with all the flavor.
Ingredients Needed
Pulled pork tenderloin only requires a handful of ingredients:
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1-2 lb Pork Tenderloin – Look for 1.2-2 lb tenderloins. Scalable for a crowd.
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1 tsp Salt – For flavor.
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1 tsp Smoked Paprika – Essential for authentic BBQ flavor.
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1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
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1/2 tsp Onion Powder
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1 cup Chicken Broth – Keeps pork moist. Can sub water.
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1 cup BBQ Sauce – For flavor and sticky texture.
Helpful Equipment
You’ll also need:
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Crockpot – A 4-6 quart size works well.
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Forks or Meat Claws – For easy shredding once cooked.
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Basting Brush – To coat with sauce.
And that’s it – so easy! Now let’s go over the simple process.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make juicy, pull-apart tender pulled pork tenderloin in the crockpot:
1. Prepare the Pork
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Rinse tenderloin and pat dry with paper towels.
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Trim off any excess fat or silver skin.
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Cut into 3-4 chunks if possible for more even cooking.
2. Make the Rub
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In a small bowl, combine salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
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Mix well.
3. Apply the Rub
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Generously coat all sides of the tenderloin pieces with the spice rub.
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Really massage it in to maximize flavor.
4. Add to Slow Cooker
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Place seasoned tenderloin pieces in crockpot.
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Pour chicken broth around edges (not over meat).
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Cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
5. Shred the Pork
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Pork is done when it shreds easily with a fork.
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Remove from crockpot and shred using two forks.
6. Mix with BBQ Sauce
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Return shredded pork to crockpot.
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Add BBQ sauce and toss or fold to coat pork completely.
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Let sit 10-15 minutes for flavors to meld.
And that’s it – your flavorful pulled pork tenderloin is ready to enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Pulled pork tenderloin is incredibly versatile. Here are some tasty ways to serve it:
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Sandwiches – Pile high on brioche buns with pickles and slaw.
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Tacos – Stuff in tortillas with pico, avocado, queso.
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Baked Potatoes – Top stuffed spuds with pork and cheese.
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Burritos – Mix with beans, rice, cheese, and toppings.
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Nachos – Layer pork with chips, beans, salsa and cheese.
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Salads – Toss with greens, veggies, nuts or fruits.
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Scrambled Eggs – Add to eggs for a protein punch.
Get creative and make it your own! It’s great on its own too.
What to Serve with Pulled Pork
Some classic sides that pair well with pulled pork include:
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Coleslaw – Crunchy, creamy, tangy. A classic.
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BBQ Baked Beans – Sweet, sticky, savory.
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Cornbread – The perfect vehicle for juices and sauce.
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Mac & Cheese – Gooey comfort food match.
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Potato/Pasta Salad – Potato salad with a Southern-style flair.
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Collard Greens – Slightly bitter green.
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Mashed Potatoes – Creamy texture contrasts with pork.
Pick 1-2 favorite sides to round out your pulled pork feast.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage
Pulled pork stores well for meal prepping:
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Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
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Freeze for up to 4-6 months.
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Store pork and sauce separately to prevent sogginess.
Reheating
To reheat, choose one:
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Microwave – In 30 second bursts until hot. Add sauce or broth if dry.
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Stovetop – Heat in skillet with broth or sauce to moisten.
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Oven – Bake in 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes if frozen.
Be careful not to overdry previously sauced pork when reheating.
Make Fall-Off-the Bone Pulled Pork Tenderloin
With this easy crockpot method, you can skip the all-day smoking and still get insanely tender, flavorful pulled pork in just 4-5 hours!
The simple spice rub infuses smoky, savory flavor, while the slow cooking and finishing sauce gives you juicy, fall-apart shreds that are perfect in everything from sandwiches to salads.
Now that you know how to do it, you can enjoy this comforting classic any night of the week. Dig in to tender, tangy pulled pork tenderloin soon!
Healthy Recipe for Pulled Pork
By using a pork tenderloin to make BBQ pulled pork, it significantly reduces the total fat and calories in the dish. It’s not quite as melt in your mouth as traditional pulled pork, but if you are looking for a healthier option, this makes a delicious, family-friendly dinner.
Pork tenderloin is the leanest cut of pork. A 3 oz. portion contains 2. 98 grams of total fat per serving. A same size serving portion of pork roast contains approximately 16 grams of total fat.
Store-bought BBQ sauces vary greatly in their nutrition. If you have a special nutritional concern, read the labels, and choose one that best suits your needs. There are now many low and no sugar BBQ sauces available. Be sure you like the taste and flavor of the BBQ sauce you choose for your pulled pork.
- Vegetable Oil—Use this to lightly grease your crock pot and make clean-up easier. You can also use non-stick spray or slow cooker liners.
- BBQ sauce—that’s what I use on my pulled pork. Before you choose a BBQ sauce, make sure you like the way it tastes.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – I use filtered ACV. I discovered that unfiltered apple cider vinegar has a stronger vinegar taste than I wanted.
- Chicken Broth
- Brown Sugar – Helps balance the acidity from the vinegar.
- Prepared Mustard
- Spices: Chili Powder, Minced Garlic, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika
- Pork Tenderloin – 2. 5 to 3 lbs. of pork tenderloin, with the silverskin removed.
- Oil or line a slow cooker to prevent sticking.
- Mix BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, prepared mustard, and spices in a bowl with a whisk.
- Place pork tenderloin in the crock-pot. Pour liquid over the pork, turning to coat.
- For 5 to 6 hours on LOW, or until the pork is easy to shred,
- Remove pork tenderloin from slow cooker. Shred pork tenderloin and cut into smaller strips if desired. Add back one to two cups of the liquid from the crock pot. Stir in additional BBQ sauce as desired.
Serve BBQ Pulled Pork Tenderloin on a hamburger bun, brioche or Hawaiian roll. Also delicious scooped on top of a baked potato or sweet potato.
Serving suggestions for sides include coleslaw, baked beans, pickle spear and creamy dill red potato salad.
Store leftover pulled pork in the fridge. Use within three to four days. Freeze in air-tight storage for up to three months.
Crock Pot Pork Loin – BBQ Pulled Pork
FAQ
Can pork tenderloin be used for pulled pork?
Is pork tenderloin good for shredding?
Do I need to add liquid to crock pot for pulled pork?
How long is too long for pulled pork in crock pot?
How do you cook pork tenderloin in a crock pot?
Whisk together BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, prepared mustard and spices. Place pork tenderloin in the crock-pot. Pour liquid over the pork, turning to coat. Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or until pork easily shreds. Remove pork tenderloin from slow cooker. Shred pork tenderloin and cut into smaller strips if desired.
Can you cook pork tenderloin in a slow cooker?
Place the seasoned tenderloin in the bottom of your slow cooker. Be sure not to pour broth directly over the pork — you don’t want to wash off the freshly applied rub! Put the lid on your slow cooker and set it to high. You’ll need to cook the pork for about 4-5 hours, or until it’s tender enough to shred with a fork.
How do you cook pulled pork in a slow cooker?
Whisk together the broth, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, and molasses. Place the pork roast into the slow cooker. Pour the broth mixture around (but not directly onto) the pork. Cook. Slow cook pulled pork until it is fall-apart tender. Shred. Transfer the pork roast to a bowl, and use two forks to gently pull the meat apart. Strain and mix.
How do you smoke pork tenderloin in a crock pot?
Trim and cut pork tenderloin into 5-6 pieces. Use a dry rub of your choice or in a small bowl, mix the provided rub. In a larger bowl, coat the pork with liquid smoke (optional) and coat the pieces with the rub and liquid smoke. Place the meat in a 2 quart or larger crock pot. Cook on high for 2-3 hours.