Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Made with just a handful of ingredients and cooked low and slow, this recipe gives you melt-in-your-mouth pork that’s perfect for piling onto buns, serving over baked potatoes, or even layering on nachos.

I consider myself a pulled pork expert. I have been using a pellet smoker to make Smoked Pulled Pork for ages. And I can confidently say I make it really well. But sometimes, I just need to be able to set it, and forget it. And this slow cooker version is PERFECTION. I may daresay, it is just as good as the smoked pulled pork. And it is ridiculously simple.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple – This recipe is only 6 ingredients, and nothing complicated, it lets the pork shine.
• Set it and forget it – The slow cooker handles everything while you go about your day.
• Juicy and flavorful – Boston butt (pork shoulder) is marbled with fat, so it stays tender and moist.
• Perfect for a crowd – This 6–8 lb roast makes plenty of servings. Perfect for game days, parties, or meal prepping. 
• Versatile leftovers – Use it in tacos, sliders, quesadillas, bowls, or salads.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Boston butt pork roast or pork shoulder (6–8 lbs) – Bone-in or boneless both work.
• Water or apple juice – Adds moisture during cooking.
• Kosher salt & black pepper – Classic seasoning for pork.
• Cayenne pepper – Optional, for a little heat.
• Barbecue sauce – Your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

1. Prep the pork – Place the Boston butt pork roast in the slow cooker (cut it into pieces if needed to fit).
2. Season & add liquid – Add 1/4 cup water or apple juice, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
3. Cook low and slow – Cover and cook on LOW for 7–9 hours, until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart.
4. Shred the pork – Remove excess liquid, shred the meat with two forks, and discard any fat or bone.
5. Add the sauce – Return shredded pork to the slow cooker, stir in 1 cup barbecue sauce, cover, and cook on LOW for another 1–2 hours.
6. Serve – Pile onto buns, serve with slaw, or add extra BBQ sauce on the side.

Tips for the Best Pulled Pork

• Low & slow = best texture – Resist the urge to cook on high; it’s worth the wait.
• Apple juice adds flavor – For a sweeter, more BBQ-style taste, swap water for apple juice.
• Make it ahead – Pulled pork reheats beautifully and even tastes better the next day.
• Double the sauce – Serve extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping and drizzling.

Serving Ideas

Pulled pork is incredibly versatile! Try it:

• On toasted brioche buns with coleslaw
• Over baked potatoes or mac & cheese
• In tacos, quesadillas, or nachos
• As a topping for grain bowls or salads

Storing & Freezing

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze in portioned containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm gently in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of broth or BBQ sauce to keep it moist.

This Slow Cooker Boston Butt Pulled Pork is the perfect recipe for busy cooks who love big flavor without the fuss. It’s an easy, reliable, and delicious way to enjoy classic BBQ at home any time of year.

Other Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Zesty BBQ Chicken
• Slow Cooker Breakfast Strata
• Slow Cooker Korean Beef
• Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks
• Slow Cooker Pulled Beef

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Juicy slow cooker pulled pork piled high on a soft bun, coated in rich barbecue sauce, perfect for sandwiches, sliders, or a hearty meal.

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Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bbq pulled pork, crockpot pulled pork, Pulled Pork, slow cooker pulled pork

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 hours hours

Total Time: 10 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 492kcal

Author: Rachael

Equipment

• 1 slow cooker

Ingredients

• 6-8 lbs pork shoulder or Boston butt roast (bone-in or boneless)
• 1/4 cup water or apple juice
• Kosher salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• 1 cup barbecue sauce plus more for serving

Instructions

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the pork roast (bone-in or boneless) in the slow cooker, cutting the roast to fit if necessary.
• Add 1/4 cup water and sprinkle the pork lightly with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to preference
• Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.
• Drain the excess liquid off the pork roast, remove roast from pot, and shred the meat with two forks, and discard excess fat and bone.
• Return the meat to the crock pot and pour about 1 cup of barbecue sauce over it (more if desired). Toss to coat, cover, and cook on low for another 1 to 2 hours to crisp up the edges, and meld the flavors.
• Serve the pulled pork with extra barbecue sauce on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 492kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 702mg | Potassium: 1055mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 141IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 4mg

Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.

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