Busy days call for dinners that practically cook themselves, and this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe is exactly that.
The pork cooks low and slow until it's tender enough to shred with a fork, then gets mixed with barbecue sauce for easy sandwiches, rice bowls, tacos, or simple family dinners.
It's perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd without spending all evening in the kitchen. I usually start it in the morning, and by dinnertime the pork is perfectly tender with hardly any hands-on work.
Why This Is On Repeat At My House
I make this recipe at least once a month because it's easy, feeds my family, and always leaves us with leftovers.
We usually enjoy pulled pork sandwiches the first night, then use the rest for wraps or rice bowls later in the week.
My family likes adding their own extra BBQ sauce, so I always leave a bottle on the table. I've found pork shoulder steaks become incredibly tender in the slow cooker, and the leftovers taste even better the next day.
🛒 Ingredients
- Pork Shoulder Steaks - The star of this recipe. Pork shoulder becomes fall-apart tender after slow cooking and shreds easily with two forks. I strongly prefer it over pork loin because it stays much juicier. If you can't find shoulder steaks, a boneless pork shoulder roast (Boston butt) works just as well.
- Chicken Broth - Keeps the pork moist while it cooks without overpowering the barbecue flavor. Low-sodium broth is a good choice if your BBQ sauce is already salty.
- BBQ Sauce - Since it's the main flavor, use one you already know your family loves. I like a smoky sauce, but sweeter honey-style sauces are just as delicious.
- Paprika - Adds a mild smoky flavor and gives the pork a richer color. Regular paprika works great, but smoked paprika adds even more depth if you have it.
- Garlic Powder - Gives the pork a savory flavor that blends evenly throughout the seasoning. I prefer garlic powder here because it won't burn during the long cooking time.
- Onion Powder - Adds a subtle sweetness and rounds out the seasoning blend. It's an easy pantry staple that brings plenty of flavor without needing fresh onions.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥘 How To Make Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Step By Step
- Season the pork: Arrange the pork shoulder steaks in an even layer in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, coating the top evenly.
- Add the broth: Pour the chicken broth around the sides of the pork. This helps keep the seasoning in place while adding moisture during cooking.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork shreds easily with a fork. If it still feels firm, let it cook a little longer.
- Shred the pork: Transfer the pork to a plate and shred with two forks, removing any large pieces of fat. The meat should pull apart with almost no effort.
- Stir in the BBQ sauce: Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix with the BBQ sauce until evenly coated. I like to add the sauce gradually so it's easy to adjust.
- Finish cooking: Cover and cook on LOW for another 20 to 30 minutes. This gives the pork time to soak up the sauce.
- Serve: Taste and add more BBQ sauce if needed. Serve on toasted buns, over rice, or piled onto baked potatoes.
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Buy Now → 📋 Important Tips Before You Start
- Choose pork shoulder: Pork shoulder steaks or a pork shoulder roast stay much juicier than pork loin and shred much more easily.
- Don't add extra liquid: One cup of broth is plenty since the pork releases juices as it cooks.
- Add the BBQ sauce at the end: Mixing it in after shredding gives you better flavor and keeps the sauce from becoming overly sweet.
- Shred while warm: The pork pulls apart much more easily right after cooking.
- Make it ahead: I often cook the pork a day in advance because the leftovers taste even better after the flavors have had time to meld.
Easy Swaps
These simple swaps work well without changing the recipe too much.
- Pork shoulder roast. Use instead of pork shoulder steaks if that's what your grocery store has.
- Chicken broth. Vegetable broth or water work in a pinch.
- BBQ sauce. Use smoky, sweet, spicy, or honey BBQ sauce depending on your family's favorite.
- Extra seasoning. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder if you'd like a little heat.
What To Serve With Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
This pulled pork pairs well with all kinds of sides, but these are some of my family's favorites.
🍱 Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Let the pulled pork cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- 🥶To Freeze. Place cooled pulled pork in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. I usually freeze a couple of portions for those nights when I don't feel like cooking. They're quick to thaw and make dinner so much easier.
- 🕒 To Make Ahead. Cook the pork a day in advance, then refrigerate it in the barbecue sauce. I actually think it tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to come together.
- 🔥To Reheat. Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Add a splash of chicken broth or extra BBQ sauce if needed.
❓FAQs
It probably needs more time to cook. Pork shoulder should fall apart with very little effort. If you have to fight it with the forks, cover it and cook for another 30 to 60 minutes.
You can, but I don't recommend it. Pork loin is much leaner and won't be quite as juicy after slow cooking. Pork shoulder consistently gives the best texture.
Absolutely. In fact, I usually do. Make it the day before, refrigerate it overnight, then reheat it in the slow cooker with a little extra BBQ sauce before serving.
More Pork Recipes You'll Like
- Easy One Pot Pork Rice
- Pork Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast
- Ground Pork Stir Fry
📖Recipe
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients
Pulled Pork
- 4 pounds pork shoulder steaks, or boneless pork shoulder roast
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
BBQ Finish
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Season the pork: Arrange the pork shoulder steaks in an even layer in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 4 pounds pork shoulder steaks
- Add the broth: Pour the chicken broth around the pork.1 cup chicken broth
- Cook until tender: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, until the pork shreds easily with two forks.
- Shred the pork: Transfer the pork to a cutting board or large plate and shred with two forks, removing any large pieces of fat.
- Add the BBQ sauce: Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir in the BBQ sauce until evenly coated.1½ cups BBQ sauce
- Finish cooking: Cover and cook on LOW for another 20 to 30 minutes so the sauce can soak into the meat.
- Serve: Taste and add more BBQ sauce if desired, then serve on toasted buns, over rice, or on baked potatoes.
Notes
- Pork shoulder gives the juiciest, most tender pulled pork.
- Don't add extra liquid since the pork releases plenty of juices as it cooks.
- Stir in the BBQ sauce gradually so you can adjust the flavor to your taste.
- Toast the sandwich buns before serving, they hold up much better under the juicy pulled pork.
Nutrition
More Slow Cooker Recipes
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