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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe Easy Perfect BBQ Sauce Dinner

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This slow cooker pulled pork recipe transforms pork shoulder into tender, juicy pulled pork with a homemade smoky, sweet, and tangy BBQ sauce. Perfect for easy weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper, freshly cracked
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar (120 ml)
  • ¾ cup ketchup (180 ml)
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp mustard (Dijon or yellow)
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke (optional)

Instructions

  1. Trim any excessive fat from the pork shoulder, leaving some for flavor and moisture. Pat the pork dry with paper towels to help the rub stick better.
  2. In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the pork shoulder, covering every nook and cranny.
  3. Place the sliced onion and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker to create a flavor base and prevent sticking.
  4. Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic. Pour the apple cider vinegar around the pork but not directly over it to avoid washing off the rub.
  5. In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, honey, mustard, and liquid smoke (if using). Pour half of this sauce over the pork. Reserve the other half for serving or mixing in later.
  6. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
  7. Carefully remove the pork shoulder from the slow cooker and place it on a large cutting board or platter. Use two forks or tongs to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, discarding any large chunks of fat.
  8. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir in the reserved BBQ sauce. Let it soak up the flavors for 10-15 minutes on the warm setting.
  9. Serve the pulled pork warm on buns, over rice, or alongside your favorite sides with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.

Notes

If the sauce is too thin after cooking, thicken it by simmering gently in a saucepan until desired consistency. Avoid overcooking pork shoulder to prevent dryness. For gluten-free, verify Worcestershire sauce and ketchup labels. Liquid smoke is optional for extra smoky flavor. Can be cooked in a Dutch oven at 275°F for 4-5 hours if no slow cooker is available. Instant Pot cooking option: high pressure for 60-75 minutes with natural release.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, BBQ pulled pork, easy pulled pork recipe, slow cooker BBQ sauce, pulled pork dinner, crockpot pulled pork

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/slow-cooker-pulled-pork-recipe-easy-perfect-bbq-sauce-dinner/