Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a long-cooking crock pot recipe that's as tender and juicy as it is versatile. Use for sandwiches, nachos, tacos, and more!
One of my favorite ways to use the slow cooker is to toss in a large pork roast with a little of this and a little of that, then pop the lid on top and ignore it for the entire day. Don’t call me, I’ll call you.
Long-cooking crock pot recipes are a busy family’s dream come true which is why my family of five not only relies on — but cheers — when Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is on the menu!
This 5-ingredient crock pot recipe is succulent and fall apart tender, easy to toss together, and extremely versatile. Plus it slow cooks all day long so all you have to do at dinnertime is shred then devour.
Got leftover pulled pork? It freezes beautifully!
5 Ingredients Needed
You read that right — all you need is five ingredients to get this succulent bbq pulled pork on the table. (Plus a slow cooker — here’s the 6-quart Slow Cooker that never fails me and my family.)
- Pork butt: despite the name, a pork butt roast actually comes from the shoulder of a pig. It can come bone-in or boneless, and you can use either for this recipe. Pork butt is an ideal cut of meat for cooking low and slow then shredding into long, tender strands.
- Garlic salt: is a mixture of garlic powder and salt that seasons the pork.
- BBQ sauce: is added both to the crock pot to flavor the pork as it cooks, then mixed with the shredded pork before serving. We like Stubb’s Sticky Sweet Barbecue Sauce.
- Cola or root beer: lends a nice sweetness that tastes so delicious with pork. I recommend Coca-Cola or your favorite root beer. NOTE: do not, under any circumstances, use Pepsi or any type of diet soda! Ask me how I know.
- Yellow onion: sliced onion sprinkled on top of the pork permeates the dish with flavor as it slow cooks.
Ways to Use Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
What I love so much about this recipe is that I can make it often and serve it in a variety of ways so nobody gets sick of it. Plus it feeds a crowd so it’s great for larger families, or cookouts, grad parties, etc.
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches: mix the shredded slow cooked pork with BBQ sauce then pile onto buns with quick coleslaw (ie bagged coleslaw mix tossed with Italian dressing.)
- Quesadillas: the pulled pork makes awesome BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas. Follow my recipe outline for BBQ Chicken Quesadillas.
- Pork Nachos: top tortilla chips with the shredded pork mixed with BBQ sauce, and shredded cheese. Broil until melted then top with pickled jalapenos or banana peppers, and diced red onion.
- Pork Tacos: nestle the shredded pork into crunchy or soft tortillas then added your favorite taco fixins.
- Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: follow my recipe outline for BBQ Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes using the shredded pork instead — or use regular russets if that’s more your style!
- Chili: add the shredded pork to my Signature Chili recipe instead of ground beef.
- Pizza: spread pizza crust with bbq sauce instead of tomato sauce then top with shredded pork and cheese. Bake until crispy then top with chopped green onions and minced cilantro.
- Mac and Cheese: top bowls of gooey mac and cheese with shredded pork mixed with BBQ sauce. The mash up you never knew you needed!
- Salads: add the warm or chilled pulled pork to fresh salads with any and all veggie toppings.
Freezer Friendly Pulled Pork
Something I love about this recipe — and most slow cooker pork recipes in general — is that the shredded meat freezes so very well.
- To freeze: shred the pork then mix with a bit of the cooking liquid and let it cool to room temperature. Transfer the meat to a gallon-size freezer Ziplock bag then spread into an even layer and freeze flat for up to 6 months.
- To thaw: thaw the bag of shredded pork in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cool water then use as desired.
Serve with Gluten Free Cornbread
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Step 1: Trim then slice the roast.
Start the by trimming a 4-5lb pork butt (could also be labeled “pork shoulder”) of any large pieces of excess fat and/or connective tissue then slice the roast into 5 or 6 big hunks.
Step 2: Season then slow cook.
Place the pieces of pork into the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot then season generously with garlic salt. Add your favorite bbq sauce, then pour in enough cola or root beer to nearly cover the pork.
- Tip: the pork will generate it’s own juices as it cooks, so if the pork pieces are not entirely covered with BBQ sauce + cola — that is completely fine!
- Tip: it’s worth repeating — do NOT use diet soda or Pepsi unless you like pepsi-flavored meat!
Cover the top of the pork with thinly sliced yellow onions then cover the crock pot and cook on for 8-10 hours on LOW.
I highly recommend you slow cook pork butt on low heat, vs high heat, to ensure it comes out as tender and juicy as possible.
Step 3: Shred then serve.
Shred the pork with two forks then mix it with as much of the cooking liquid as you like. Lastly, mix the shredded pork with more BBQ sauce then use as your heart desires!
What to Serve it With
Slow Cooker BBQ Shredded Pork pairs well with a variety of fresh veggie and pasta salads, and BBQ sides. Here are some ideas:
- Best Ever Pasta Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Best Baked Beans Ever
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Gluten Free Cornbread
- Everyday Kale Salad
- Classic Potato Salad
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
- Crock Pot Mojo Pork
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
- Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-5 lb pork butt, also called pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat then cut into large hunks
- garlic salt
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for serving, Stubb's recommended
- 12 oz root beer or cola, Pepsi is NOT recommended
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- Toasted buns, for serving
Directions
- Place the pork pieces into the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot then generously season with garlic salt. Add the BBQ sauce and enough root beer or cola to nearly cover the meat then stir to combine.
- Sprinkle the onions on top then cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the pork shreds easily with two forks. Mix the shredded pork with more BBQ sauce if desired then serve on buns.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I followed the recipe to the letter and was left with awesome tasting pork … and a TON of liquid (before I started shredding/breaking it up). Like, 4 cups at least, even leaving some liquid in so that the pork remained moist. Weird. Not a big deal but thought I’d mention. Flavor was spot on and my boyfriend was super happy!
Have you ever frozen leftovers? We’re just a two-person household and, while we like leftovers, I’m not sure I want to eat this alllllll week. ;-)
Yep! I’ve got half of ours in the freezer right now! :) Pack the shredded meat in a freezer bag without mixing with BBQ sauce first, and then thaw in the fridge.
can you make vegan pulled pork? I love the taste of juicy meat but my doctor says I need to go 100% vegan!
Hi! Do you think this would work with chicken? My family didn’t eat pork but it sounds so good!
Here’s my recipe for Crock Pot BBQ Chicken, Jyl! iowagirleats.com/2015/05/08/crock-pot-bbq-chicken-with-homemade-bbq-sauce/
What gluten free buns do you like? I just started eating gluten free this year and need to find more good go-to items! Is there a tortilla you like? Does your husband eat gluten free as well if does he still eat normal bread, noodles, etc?
If I’m using a bun, I use Canyon Bakehouse buns, toast and serve them warm, but honestly I usually just eat burgers and sandwiches bunless. We do maintain a GF household because I was staying sick from cross contamination on surfaces, plates/utensils, etc. As far as tortillas, I HAVE tried a few and they’ve been good though they must not have been that good because I can’t recall the brands! I have been wanting to pick up Udi’s tortillas to give them a try!
If only this was on my dinner table this evening for dinner :) Nothing is better than pulled pork topped with cole slaw!
This loves absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing :)
does it matter if the pop is regular or diet? I noticed the Stevia is sugar-free. Does it give the meat a sweeter taste? (I was originally going to say “soda” but I remembered you are in Iowa which is “pop” country!)
I’d recommend regular pop vs diet (Zevia is sweetened with Stevia but I didn’t notice any “off” taste.) I would think a diet pop sweetened with aspartame, nutrisweet, etc would cause the meat to taste a bit off.
Can another liquid be used besides soda?
Hi Rose! Absolutely – you could use any broth/liquid. The taste just won’t be similar.
Would regular coke work? If you prep it the night before and put it in the fridge how much longer does it take to cook since the crockpot is cold?
Yes – Coke works awesome! You won’t need to tack on any extra time if you’re cooking straight from the fridge either.
Is there leftover liquid in the crock pot after the pork is cooked? If so, do you reuse that or just mix with fresh BBQ sauce?
There’s a little bit of liquid leftover. I usually scoop some if it in with the meat when storing it in the fridge, but mix the drained pork with fresh bbq sauce.
Well, I’m a big pulled pork man here. I know my wife always buy pulled pork for our girls birthday parties but it is $13.99 a pound! And I like how you used Zevia. My mother-in-law buys me Zevia sometimes.
You guys could save a bundle with this recipe then!
I love this! I have made something similar and the whole family eats it, and leftovers are awesome. My only problem is that big fatty piece of pork ? Now I take it to the meat counter and the butchers are so nice – they will trim it and cut it how I want. Take advantage of the butchers! They always seem happy to help.
That is an awesome tip, Sara! Going to do that next time.