Crock Pot Pulled Pork uses a special rub and soda to make it come out super tender with so much flavor! Delicious in sandwiches!
A CROCK POT BBQ PORK RECIPE
This Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe has been my go-to recipe for years. I recently just created an Instant Pot Pulled Pork version based on this one. It's just so good and flavorful. It doesn't take a lot of ingredients. You can even pop it all into the slow cooker the night before so it's ready for you the next day! And you have to serve it with some Southern Style Cole Slaw.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PULLED PORK:
This is my tried-and-true recipe for all my pork recipes. Just mix it all up and rub it well into the pork shoulder.
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon mustard powder
2 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons brown sugar
Yes. You can certainly use a pork tenderloin using this same recipe. Because is much smaller, It won't take as long to cook though as a pork shoulder. About 4-6 hours on low.
No, of course not. You have to use very minimal amounts of liquid smoke or it will overwhelm other flavors so I am only using a small amount here but it adds amazing flavor!
This is one that is always up for debate. A lot of times I just get what is on sale. However, if I have to pick a favorite it would be Sweet Baby Ray's or the K.C. Masterpiece Black Label barbecue sauces. If you really want to make this special, try making a Homemade BBQ Sauce!
Store leftovers in a lidded container in the refrigerator and it will keep for up to 3 days. I like to add some of the liquid leftover in the slow cooker to the container. That way, when I go to reheat it, those juices will ensure that the pork stays moist!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- pork shoulder roast (or boneless loin)
- Dr Pepper (root beer or Coca-Cola also work)
- hickory liquid smoke
- pork rub seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT PULLED PORK:
Rinse the pork shoulder and pat dry. Rub pork rub all over pork shoulder. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in your slow cooker.
Pour in can of cola and liquid smoke, all around the sides of the pork.
Cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours, until the pork is very tender. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and discard the remaining liquid.
Remove the bone and shred the pork using a couple of forks, removing any excess fat. Now at this point you can place on hamburger buns and let everyone spread BBQ sauce on their own sandwiches (which my family prefers.)
Or, you can place the meat back in the slow cooker along with the bottle of barbecue sauce and continue to cook for another 20-30 minutes until the pork is hot again.
You can also leave your shredded pork in your Crock Pot and leave it on the keep warm setting until ready to eat. If you have leftovers, try using in my Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese recipe.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Crock Pot Pulled Pork (+Video)
Ingredients
- 4-6 pounds pork shoulder roast (or pork butt)
- ¼ cup store bought or homemade pork rub, see notes for recipe
- 1 can Dr Pepper
- 1 tablespoon hickory liquid smoke
- 1 bottle your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Rinse the pork shoulder and pat dry. Rub pork rub all over pork shoulder.
- Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper (optional) and place in the slow cooker.
- Pour in can of coke and liquid smoke all around the sides of the pork.
- Cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours, until the pork is very tender.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and discard the remaining liquid.
- Remove the bone and shred the pork using a couple of forks, removing any excess fat.
- Place the shredded meat onto a hamburger bun and add the desired amount of sauce per sandwich.
Video
Notes
- Optional: you can place the meat back in the slow cooker along with the bottle of barbecue sauce and continue to cook for another 20-30 minutes until the pork is hot again. You can also leave your shredded pork in your slow cooker and leave it on the keep warm setting until ready to eat.
- Don't use more liquid smoke than I listed above. It can be overpowering if you use too much.
- Most dark sodas will work for this recipe: Root beer and Coca-Cola are good alternatives.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 teaspoons brown sugar
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Originally published: December 2011
Updated & republished: March 2022
DJ
Oh wow! I really really love your rub recipe. Seriously, I cook a lot of pork and this is the best I've ever made! Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Jackie
This is one of my favorite go-to recipes! I want to make it tomorrow but won’t have time to cook 8-10 hours. Can I cook it on high for 4-6 hours?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
So happy to hear that Jackie!! Honestly, I don't recommend cooking on high. Pork shoulder is a pretty tough cut of meat. By cooking it low and slow, it helps to really make the meat nice and tender. Cooking it too quickly and you won't be able to shred it. I'm sorry!
Joanna
Wow that was awesome!. I made your rub exactly as detailed and I did add in a bottle of BBQ sauce after pulling the pork apart and draining off the liquid and it was so yummy!! .
Brandie @ The Country Cook
YES!! Love hearing that and so happy you liked the rub too! Thank you Joanna!
Peggy Betcher
Going to be making this for a work function next week and this sounds amazing, will let you know how everyone liked it.......
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thanks Peggy!
Marcelle
Can’t wait to prepare this dish for my family.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hope you all love it Marcelle!
Donna Howell
Tried this yesterday and used your seasoning rub. The house smelled wonderful all day! The hubby loved it and ate two large sandwiches with potato salad that I whipped up. Great recipe! We bought a 9 lb pork butt and cut it into so we will be ready to make this again. Can't wait to try more of your recipes:)
Lindsay M.
I made this recipe last week and it was amazing! I have a newborn at home, so cooking time is VERY limited, and it was extremely nice to be able to throw this in the slow cooker and forget about it the rest of the day! My husband loved it too, so I will definitely be adding this to our "keeper" list. Thanks for helping this new mama out!
Rebecca
MADE THIS USING YOUR PORK RUB RECIPE - OUTSTANDING!!
Lori
Thank you for this great recipe! Made it for a large group (doubled the recipe) and they all raved about how delicious it was. Got this one in my favorites!
Peggy bostic
I use gingerale sometimes & add a splash of worcestershire sauce.. if there are leftovers, i use the bbq pork and coleslaw for tacos in hot corn tortillas .
David
Made this today with a pork loin, added Montreal Chicken Spice mix for the rub and also injected it at the beginning with the mixture. Turned out delicious, will be making again for sure!
Thanks
Donna
Sounds great. Could sweet soda be replaced with beer?
Anonymous
How long do I cook it if I have an 8 lb pork roast?
Rob Quicke
This recipe is bulletproof. Making it for the second time tonight. Dont even bother with another recipe, this is perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Allen Vergakis
Ah ha, and there you are 17 at the Botanical Gardens in Norfolk. Thank for all of the great recipes! Allen V., Norfolk Resident.