Name: Amazing 10-Min Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-488496H51M15S
Total time: 8 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2-3 pounds pork shoulder (Boston butt); 1 large onion, sliced; 1 cup BBQ sauce; 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Oh my goodness, if there’s one recipe that has saved my weeknights and made every single potluck a guaranteed hit, it’s this slow cooker BBQ pulled pork. Seriously, it’s SO easy, and the smell that fills your house while it cooks? Pure magic! I remember the first time I made it, I was completely blown away by how tender and flavorful the pork turned out with barely any effort. It’s just the best way to get that classic smoky, tangy BBQ taste without all the fuss. Trust me, this slow cooker BBQ pulled pork is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen!

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Effortless Prep: Seriously, it takes like 10 minutes to toss everything in the slow cooker.
Incredible Flavor: That sweet, tangy BBQ sauce with tender, juicy pork? Perfection!
Super Versatile: Serve it on buns, over rice, with mac and cheese – it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Busy Weeknight Hero: Pop it in before work and have dinner ready when you get home.
Perfect for Gatherings: It’s a go-to for parties, game days, or just a cozy family meal. This slow cooker BBQ pulled pork is just the best!

Gathering Your Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Ingredients

Okay, so to make this magic happen, you’ll need just a handful of things. It’s honestly one of the best parts about this recipe – you probably have most of it in your pantry already! We’re talking about getting that tender, fall-apart goodness with minimal fuss. Let’s get everything ready so we can just toss it in and let the slow cooker do its thing for our amazing slow cooker BBQ pulled pork.

Pork Shoulder: The Star of Your Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

You absolutely want to grab a pork shoulder, also known as a Boston butt. This cut is perfect because it has enough fat and connective tissue that breaks down beautifully over a long cook time, making the pork incredibly tender and juicy. Look for a piece that’s about 2 to 3 pounds.

Flavor Builders for Perfect Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Now for the flavor! You’ll need one large onion, just sliced – no need to get fancy here. Then, the heart of our BBQ sauce: a cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. I love a good smoky one, but use whatever you have on hand! We’ll also add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar for that tangy kick, and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to balance everything out. A tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce adds a nice depth, and then we’ll season it up with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder, plus 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. That’s it! So simple for such amazing slow cooker BBQ pulled pork.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Delicious Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this slow cooker BBQ pulled pork is honestly one of the easiest things you’ll do all week. It’s pretty much foolproof, and the results are just SO worth it. We’re going to build layers of flavor without really breaking a sweat. Just follow along, and you’ll have the most amazing pulled pork you’ve ever tasted, right from your slow cooker!

Preparing the Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

First things first, grab your slow cooker. You want to place that beautiful pork shoulder right into the bottom. Don’t trim off too much fat; that’s where a lot of the flavor comes from! Then, just scatter that sliced onion all over the top of the pork. For the sauce, it’s super simple: grab a bowl and whisk together your BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until it’s all nice and combined. Pour this delicious mixture right over the pork and onions. Seriously, that’s all the prep you need to do!

Cooking Your Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork to Perfection

Now for the magic part: the cooking! Pop the lid on your slow cooker nice and snug. You have two options here, and honestly, both work great. You can cook it on LOW for about 8 to 10 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a time crunch, you can crank it up to HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. The key is to let it cook until the pork is super tender and practically falling apart when you poke it with a fork. When it shreds easily with just two forks, you know it’s ready! This slow cooking process is what makes our slow cooker BBQ pulled pork so incredibly tender.

Shredding and Finishing Your Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Once your pork is cooked to perfection, carefully take it out of the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or in a large bowl. Now, grab two forks and shred away! It should be so tender it practically falls apart. Get all that delicious shredded pork back into the slow cooker with all that amazing sauce. Give it a good stir to make sure every single strand of pork is coated in that smoky, tangy goodness. Let it sit in the sauce for a few minutes on the warm setting if you can, just to soak up all that flavor. This final step really makes your slow cooker BBQ pulled pork sing!

Tips for Success with Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

You know, even with a recipe this easy, there are a few little things that can make your slow cooker BBQ pulled pork absolutely legendary. First off, try not to overstuff your slow cooker. If the pork is piled too high, it won’t cook as evenly, and you might end up with some dry bits. Make sure the liquid can circulate! If your sauce looks a little thin after shredding, don’t worry. You can always turn the heat up to high for the last 30 minutes uncovered to let it thicken up a bit. And remember that tenderness test – it’s not just about shredding with forks; give it a gentle poke. If it feels mushy and gives way easily, it’s perfect. Happy cooking!

Serving Suggestions for Your Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Okay, so you’ve got this amazing, tender slow cooker BBQ pulled pork, and now what? Get ready for the fun part! The absolute classic is to pile it high on some soft slider buns or regular hamburger buns. Add a little creamy coleslaw on top – it’s the perfect sweet and crunchy contrast! But don’t stop there! This stuff is SO versatile. You can spoon it over a baked potato, mix it into mac and cheese for an epic upgrade, or even serve it alongside some cornbread and a simple green salad. Honestly, anywhere you want that delicious, smoky BBQ flavor, this slow cooker BBQ pulled pork fits right in!

Storing and Reheating Your Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Once your slow cooker BBQ pulled pork has cooled down a bit, just pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready for round two, you can gently reheat it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often, or even pop a portion in the microwave for a minute or two. Just make sure it’s heated through so it stays just as delicious as the first time!

Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Got questions about making this amazing slow cooker BBQ pulled pork? I’ve got answers! People always ask, “Can I use a different cut of pork?” While pork shoulder is my absolute favorite for its fat content that makes it so tender, you *could* try pork loin, but you’ll need to be really careful not to overcook it or it’ll be dry. It just won’t have that same melt-in-your-mouth quality. Another common one is, “How long does it *really* take to cook?” Like I said, on LOW it’s about 8-10 hours, and on HIGH it’s 4-5 hours. The key is checking for tenderness, not just the clock! And the best way to shred it? My go-to is always two forks, digging in and pulling the meat apart while it’s still warm in the slow cooker. It’s so satisfying! You can also use meat claws if you have them, or even just two sturdy knives. Just make sure you get it all coated back in that yummy sauce!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info can vary a bit depending on the exact ingredients you use, especially the BBQ sauce. But generally, a serving of this delicious slow cooker BBQ pulled pork (about 6 ounces) is around 450 calories. You’re looking at about 25g of fat, 25g of carbs, and a solid 30g of protein. It’s a really satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor!