Description
Make incredibly tender, set-and-forget crockpot pulled pork using a pork shoulder. This recipe yields perfect meat for BBQ sandwiches or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lb pork shoulder (Boston butt), trimmed of excess fat
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Place the pork shoulder into the basin of your slow cooker.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, water, brown sugar, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper until the sugar dissolves. This is your flavorful cooking liquid.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. The pork is done when it easily shreds with a fork.
- Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board or baking sheet. Discard the remaining cooking liquid.
- Use two forks to shred the pork completely.
- Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Stir in your favorite BBQ sauce to coat the meat evenly.
- Cook on the WARM setting for another 30 minutes to let the flavors meld before serving on buns for your BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.
Notes
- For the best texture, use a pork shoulder cut (Boston butt). Avoid leaner cuts like loin for this method.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the shredded pork, drain most of the liquid, and then mix the meat with the sauce in a skillet over medium heat for 10 minutes to reduce slightly.
- This easy slow cooker recipe freezes well. Cool completely, then store portions in freezer-safe bags for future freezer friendly dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 9 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz cooked meat
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 110