You can make Quick Crock Pot Pulled Pork in just three minutes by putting three things in the slow cooker. This simple meal packs a flavor punch with perfectly seasoned pork tossed in your favorite barbecue sauce.
There’s nothing like a crock pot meal. Here’s how to cook pulled pork in a crock pot. It’s an easy to make recipe that only uses a few ingredients.
This Quick Crockpot Pulled Pork recipe belongs to my Aunt Carol. She makes this easy 3-ingredient recipe for family gatherings, and her pulled pork sandwiches are always a hit. Served along side coleslaw, potato salad of mac and cheese, and it’s the perfect meal.
Pulled pork is a crowd-pleasing classic, but traditional recipes can have you tending the slow cooker for 8 hours or more. When pork shoulder or butt is braised low and slow, the meat becomes fall-apart tender while developing unbelievable depth of flavor. However, not everyone has all day to wait on dinner. Is there a way to achieve the same moist delicious pulled pork in a fraction of the time?
With a few simple tricks, you can slash your pulled pork cook time and still achieve ultra-flavorful results In this guide, I’ll share the secrets professional chefs and experienced home cooks use to expedite pulled pork with no sacrifice to taste Ditch the all-day cook and learn how to turn out tasty pulled pork fast.
Choose the Right Cut
The most impactful way to accelerate pulled pork is to switch from traditional shoulder or butt to pork tenderloin. This lean, tapered cut cooks much faster than other pork cuts, in just 1-2 hours.
While tenderloin lacks the fat and collagen of shoulder that breaks down over long cooking, the quick cooking prevents it from drying out. The tender meat shreds easily and absorbs any cooking liquid and sauce.
Give It a Head Start
If you prefer using pork butt or shoulder, cutting the meat into 1-inch chunks before cooking gives a jump start on the braising process. More surface area means quicker penetration of heat and liquid into the meat.
Trim off excess fat too for more even cooking. Brown the meat in batches first for amped up flavor. Then cook as usual in liquid until shreddable, 4-6 hours.
Power Up the Flavor
Great taste in short order depends on maximizing flavor impact. Use an intensely flavored braising liquid instead of just water or broth. Go for juices, sodas, beers, wines, or fruit juices spiked with vinegar and spices.
A quick marinade before cooking also boosts taste – try soy sauce, hot sauce, BBQ sauce, citrus juice, or bold rubs. Scrape up browned bits from searing to stir back in.
Get the Temp Right
High heat extraction accelerates collagen breakdown that tenderizes the meat. Bring the cooking liquid to a boil before adding the pork. For the oven or stovetop methods, use a higher than normal temperature of 325-350 ̊F.
Let things come to a full boil or high temp before reducing heat. Check for doneness early to avoid overcooking.
Shred Strategically
Don’t wait until pork seems totally cooked through to start shredding – doing so earlier means more opportunity for flavor absorption.
Check after 3-4 hours on high in the slow cooker or 1-1.5 hours stovetop or oven. If any pieces resist a bit, cook them longer before adding back to shredded pork.
Finish Fast
Once shredded, return pork to boil in the flavorful liquid for 5-10 minutes to reheat fully and permeate seasonings. No slow cooker? Use a skillet instead for quick sauce absorption.
Stir and scrape pan juices into pork continuously. Then mix in your favorite BBQ sauce – the meat’s already tender so just needs a quick glazing.
Don’t Forget Sides
Round out the meal with sides that can also be made quickly while the fast-cooked pork rests. Fresh slaws, chopped salad, baked beans, or roasted veggie sides complement pulled pork perfectly.
Great sides ensure your whole dinner comes together quickly, even with accelerated main dish prep. With these tricks, you can cut down on cook time substantially while still delivering the ultra-flavorful pulled pork you crave.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- On top of the pork loin roast, sprinkle dry onion soup mix.
- It should be easy to pull apart with two forks after 3–4 hours on high or 8–10 hours on low.
- Take it out of the insert, shred it, and then put it back in with the cooking liquids.
- Add your favorite bottled BBQ sauce and stir.
- Serve on buns.
Let the leftovers cool to room temperature. Store in airtight container in the fridge or freezer. To rewarm leftover pork, warm in the microwave or on the stovetop.
For the full recipe for Sweet Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, scroll to the bottom of this post.
- For this pulled pork in the crock pot, I use a pork loin roast. Discover a piece of meat that has fat on top of it. Putting the fat on top of it in the crock pot will help it cook and make pulled pork that is moist.
- If the pork doesn’t have any fat on it, add 1/2 cup of water before you add the dry onion soup mix.
- This is a saucy pulled pork recipe. Try using a Crock Pot Liner for easy cleanup.
- Not too long! Cook the pork until two forks can easily pull it apart.
- You can use any amount of barbecue sauce from a bottle. If you like it saucy, add more. If you prefer more pork flavor, add less. It’s your preference.
Quick Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
This best ever pulled pork is perfectly seasoned during cooking with a packet of dry onion soup mix. Once cooked and shredded, add your favorite bottled BBQ sauce, stir and serve. That’s it. Simple as can be.
The secret to amazing pulled pork is in the cut of meat that you use. Always go with a pork cut that has a fat cap. Believe me, fat is flavor. A couple options are pork loin roasts or pork shoulder roasts. The fat should be facing upwards while cooking. As the meat cooks slowly, the fat will drip down through it, giving it a moist texture.
- Pork Loin Roast, Pork Butt or Boston Butt
- Dry Onion Soup Mix
- Bottled Barbecue Sauce
Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe – Ultra Juicy & Easy!
FAQ
Can you speed up pulled pork?
How to speed up slow cooked pork?
How to speed up cooking in a crock pot?
Is it better to slow cook pork on low or high?
Can you cook pulled pork in a crockpot?
Place the pork loin in the Crockpot and cover with apple juice and seasonings. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Shred with two forks. Toss the bbq sauce and pork together. Keep the pulled pork warm in the Crockpot.
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.
How do you cook pork in a slow cooker?
Place the pork roast into the slow cooker. Pour the broth mixture around (but not directly onto) the pork. Cook for 10-12 hours on Low, until pork is fall-apart tender. Transfer the pork roast to a bowl, leaving the onions behind in the slow cooker. Shred the pork with two forks.
How do you cook pork shoulder in a slow cooker?
Rub all over the pork shoulder. Place fat cap side down in the insert of a slow cooker. Add the onions, thyme, and apple cider around the sides. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours, or low for 8 to 10 hours until pull-apart tender. 4 Remove the sprigs of thyme. Using two forks, pull the pork into bite-sized pieces.