This is the BEST pulled pork recipe for the crock pot! With almost no work, you can get the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork. It’s so simple to make, the results are AMAZING, and you can quickly feed a lot of people a fancy dinner. I’m also including instructions for oven roasted pulled pork! Also try my Smoked Pulled Pork recipe. And don’t forget the BBQ Sauce! Originally published July 15, 2022.
Let me tell you the scariest part about moving to a new house. Not the new neighbors, the new commute, or the new grocery store where I have to figure out where everything is again (though that is also pretty high on my list of things I don’t like). WHERE IS THE BBQ SAUCE IN THIS DANG STORE I’VE LOOKED ON 17 AISLES. ).
Not at all. The worst part is that now that you’re in a new house, you can see how many times something has happened since “the move.” Some things are nice, like having our first dinner in our new dining room or having friends over to swim in the pool for the second time!
But then it gets dark. Since I moved in, how many times have I wiped down the whole kitchen counter? I’ll tell you, not once. How many times have I vacuumed? Not a single room. This is why I’m not telling you how long we’ve been here: so you don’t have to give me that mean look.
But even I’m starting to get a little squirmy over here. You mean I haven’t bathed my 2-year-old in the new house yet? NOT ONCE? (To be fair, we swim every day.) That’s like, totally the same as a bath for a toddler, right?).
Okay, fine. Judge me all you want for the lack of general hygiene going on over here. At least we’re not starving. I may not find time to bathe my children, but there’s always time for easy summer dinners. Bust out the slow cooker.
The Secret to Perfect Pulled Pork from the Crockpot
As a busy home cook, I love how the crockpot allows me to start dinner in the morning and come home to a hot, home-cooked meal after a long day. But while throwing everything in the slow cooker and walking away sounds easy, not all recipes turn out great without some tips and tricks.
One crowd-pleasing crockpot dish that requires careful timing is pulled pork. With the right technique, the pork shoulder transforms into tender, fall-apart meat encased in a subtly crispy, flavorful bark. But mess up the cook time and you’ll end up with tasteless, mushy or still tough pork.
After making pulled pork in the slow cooker countless times, I’ve discovered the ideal timing and temperature for juicy, shreddable pork butt every time. Here’s everything you need to know to master your crockpot and churn out amazing pulled pork at home.
The Fundamentals of Pulled Pork
Before jumping in the crockpot, it helps to understand what makes great pulled pork. Authentic pulled pork starts with a pork butt, also called a Boston butt or pork shoulder. This affordable cut stays moist when cooked low and slow thanks to its high collagen content that melts into succulent gelatin.
Traditionally, pulled pork is rubbed with spices, smoked for 8-12 hours, then pulled or shredded. The smoky flavor and pink smoke ring are characteristic of true barbecue pulled pork
While your crockpot can’t replicate the smoke you can still achieve insanely delicious pulled pork at home. The keys are choosing the right cut seasoning well, and dialing in the right cook time and temperature. Let’s break it down step-by-step.
Choosing the Pork Butt
For authentic pulled pork texture, you must use a Boston butt or pork shoulder roast, preferably bone-in. The bone adds flavor and keeps the meat extra moist. Choose a 3 to 5 pound roast for the best results. Avoid leaner cuts like pork loin or you’ll end up with dry meat.
Before cooking, trim off any large excess fat pockets. Then rub the meat all over with a spice blend. Basic salt, pepper and garlic work great, but I love getting creative with smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin and brown sugar. The spices will infuse the pork with big flavor.
Prepping the Crockpot
Grease the inside of your slow cooker with oil or cooking spray before adding the seasoned pork butt. This prevents the roast from sticking to the sides, especially useful for clean up later.
No additional liquid is needed in the crockpot. Unlike stovetop braising or oven roasting, the trapped steam and pork juices are all you need to keep the meat ultra moist. Avoid adding broth, water or other liquids.
For optimal even cooking, place the pork butt fat side up. Nestle it down in the center of the crockpot stoneware.
Cooking Time for Pulled Pork
Now for the most crucial step – nailing the cook time. The total time depends on a few factors:
- Size of the pork shoulder (larger = longer)
- Bone-in or boneless
- High or low crockpot setting
For a 3 to 4 pound boneless pork butt on low, the time is typically 8 to 10 hours. For a 5 to 6 pound bone-in shoulder, increase cook time to 10 to 12 hours on low.
Use the high setting to decrease cook time to around 4 to 6 hours, but know that the texture may be a bit less shreddable.
Regardless of roast size or crockpot model, always cook the pork until it reaches 200°F internally. This ensures the collagen melts into succulent pulled pork that pulls apart easily.
Pro Tip: Wrap the pork in foil or paper towels to prevent overcooking after it hits 200°F.
Letting It Rest
Once your pork butt finishes cooking in the slow cooker, don’t shred it immediately. Letting it rest for 30 minutes up to 1 hour allows the juices to redistribute evenly. Then the meat pulls apart easier and remains ulta moist.
For added flavor, you can transfer the pork to a pan and let rest in its own juices.
Shredding and Serving Pulled Pork
After resting, use two forks to shred and pull the pork into long, juicy strands. If any sections seem tough, cook them longer until fork tender.
Before serving, skim any excess fat from the juices in the crockpot. Then pour the defatted juices over the pulled pork to keep it extra moist and delicious. Or mix in your favorite BBQ sauce to add sticky sweetness.
From there, pile the succulent pulled pork onto brioche buns for sandwiches, stuff into tacos or enjoy it on its own as a main course. Smoked pork flavor without the smoker!
Tips for Crockpot Pulled Pork Perfection
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For a crispy bark, broil the rested pork 5-10 mins before pulling.
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Add liquid smoke, vinegar or mustard for smoky, tangy flavor.
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Mix in reserved defatted pan juices for added moisture.
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Shred with bear claws or electric mixers for easy pulling.
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Fry up pork in bacon grease after shredding for crispy bits.
Mastering the technique means you can now enjoy this BBQ classic any night of the week with minimal effort. But why stop at classic pulled pork?
Get Creative with Leftovers
The possibilities are endless when it comes to using up leftover pulled pork from the crockpot. Try these fun ideas:
- Pulled pork omelet or breakfast hash
- Pulled pork nachos or quesadillas
- Pulled pork rice bowls
- Pulled pork pasta with red sauce
- Pulled pork Caesar salad topping
- Pulled pork stuffed potatoes
- Pulled pork pizza with sweet BBQ sauce
The tender meat also freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge before using to retain moisture.
Let’s walk through an easy recipe from start to finish.
Simple Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 lb bone-in pork butt
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 tsp pepper
- BBQ sauce, to taste
Directions:
- Pat pork dry and trim large fat pockets. Rub with spices all over.
- Grease crockpot and place pork fat side up in center.
- Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours.
- Once internal temp reaches 200°F, let rest 30 mins.
- Shred pork with two forks, removing any bone or fat chunks.
- Mix in defatted pan juices from crockpot and BBQ sauce to taste.
- Serve on brioche buns and enjoy!
The Takeaway
Pulled pork might seem intimidating, but the crockpot makes this tasty barbecue staple totally doable on a weeknight. With a few simple tips, you can churn out mouthwatering pulled pork anytime.
Stick to pork shoulder, spice boldly, cook low and slow until fork tender perfection. Then get ready to enjoy straight-up or get creative with the leftovers. Happy crockpot cooking!
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
It is so easy to make your own spice rub at home. What you need to make my favorite rub for pork that makes it melt in your mouth when you eat it. Amounts are listed in the recipe below!.
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- chili powder
- cayenne pepper
- cumin
- dry mustard powder
- brown sugar
How to shred Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
After moving the pork to a cutting board, let it rest for 10 to 20 minutes so the juices can spread out again.
Now it’s time to “pull” your pork, or shred. I like to use two big forks. It’s very satisfying if you’ve cooked it properly! It just falls apart at the slightest touch.
How to make Tender Pork Roast in the Crock Pot (Boston Butt)
FAQ
Is it better to cook pork in a crock pot on high or low?
How long does it take to cook a pork butt?
How long to keep pulled pork in crock pot?
How long do you cook pork in a crock pot?
Place the pork in the slow cooker, cover with a lid, and cook on LOW for 10-12 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours. You may need to adjust the cooking time, depending on how hot your Crock Pot runs (and how big your pork is). The pork will be fall-apart tender when it reaches an internal temperature of 205°F.
How long do you cook pork butt in a slow cooker?
Cook the pork butt for 8 hours on low, until the interior reads at least 200F, which will ensure that all of the connective tissue breaks down. I’ve owned a few different brands of slow cookers over the years, and the timing can vary by an hour or two, which is why it’s best to go off temperature.
Can you cook pork butt in a crock pot?
When it comes to cooking pork butt in a crock pot, the general rule of thumb is to cook it low and slow. This means cooking it on low heat for a longer period of time to allow the connective tissues to break down and create that melt-in-your-mouth texture. The recommended cook time for pork butt in a crock pot is 8 hours on low heat.
How long does pulled pork take to cook in a slow cooker?
How long does pulled pork take to cook in the slow cooker? Slow cook for 6-8 hours if you split the meat in half, and about 8-10 hours if you left the pork butt whole. The trick to good pulled pork is cooking low and slow! We want all the collagen and connective tissues to break down and give us that tender, delicious texture.