Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

Jump to Recipe

Simple, tender, and full of smoky flavor! This delicious and easy slow-cooker pulled pork recipe is perfect for a crowd and so versatile for use in your family’s dinner recipes throughout the week!

Why the Slow Cooker?

…Because that’s the “easy” of the “easy slow cooker pulled pork”! While I love the flavor of a juicy fall-apart tender pork butt hot off the smoker, that involved an entire day of Matt’s undivided attention. And sometimes, mama doesn’t have time to lose her husband for the day simply to get her hands on some delicious tender pork!

While smoked pork may be a family favorite, there is something uniquely delicious about the juicy tender flavor of slow cooker pulled pork! The great thing about the slow cooker as a chosen pork cooking method is the fact that it retains all of the delicious juices. Once the fat becomes hot enough and soluble, it acts as a marinade that infuses the meat with both flavor and juicy tenderness.

Tips for Slow Cooking the Pork

Slow-cooker pulled pork is perhaps the easiest recipe for beginners. It is nearly impossible to screw up! That being said, there are a few things you can do to enhance your results! Here are a few of my tips for slow cooking your pork:

Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Tips:

1. Use an un-trimmed cut. When selecting your cut of pork, go for a shoulder roughly 3-4 lbs. Make sure your cut has some fat in/on it. This fat will be one of the factors in determining the tenderness of your pork. once the fat has melted into your meat making it fall-apart tender, you can scoop it out to cut back the fat content!
2. Sear beforehand. This does not make a difference in the texture of the meat, but it does impact the flavor! Just like in my slow cooker pot roast recipe, a quick skillet-sear prior to placing in the slow cooker helps to lock in flavor and adds a little smokiness!
3. Season generously all over. Your pulled pork will be naturally flavored with the melted fat. But, a generous concoction of seasoning will add the magic! For best results, douse both sides and rub the seasoning into your cut of pork prior to the slow cooker.
4. Drain excess juices before shredding, but leave a little! It may feel odd to place a large cut of meat and no liquid into the slow cooker. But, you’ll soon see why a liquid is unnecessary. After a few hours, your pork will be swimming in a pool of it’s own delicious juices. These can be overbearing if too much is left, so you want to drain most of it. But, be sure to leave a little bit of that good stuff for some added flavor!
5. If it’s tough, it hasn’t cooked long enough! Often times, tough meat means overcooked. But in the case of slow-cooker meat, it is quite the opposite. Tough meat – be it chicken, pot roast, or pork – means that the temperature has not yet reached the point of melting the fat. A finished pork shoulder will fall apart with the touch of a fork. If you haven’t yet reached this point, put the lid back on and give it another hour!

Serving the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

The best part about this recipe is it’s versatility and ability to please a crowd! I love to whip this simple recipe up on Monday for easy use in weeknight dinners for the rest of the week. It is also ideal for a party since it can remain warm in the slow cooker for several hours after it’s finished. The slow cooker pulled pork can of course be enjoyed on it’s own with a slider bun and a few simple toppings. But, if you’re looking to mix things up and get creative with your leftovers, here are a few delicious ways to utilize the pulled pork!

Utilizing Pulled Pork Leftovers

*some of these recipes can be found on my blog and are linked here, but all of them can be found on my “pork” instagram highlights!

1. Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese (crockpot recipe linked)!
2. Spicy Korean Pulled Pork Bowls
3. Green Chilie Pork Tacos
4. Apple Pulled Pork Sliders
5. BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza
6. Pulled Pork Breakfast Casserole
7. Pork & Eggs Scramble
8. Loaded Pulled Pork Nachos

…and there’s more where that came from!

Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

Here’s where you can stop scrolling! Find my simple pulled pork recipe below – and don’t forget to share it with the buttons on your right!

I hope you’ll give this one a try! If you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let me know by leaving a comment or rating my recipe. Thank you!!

With love,
Kelsie