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Home / Recipes / Dinner / Slow Cooker / Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

8 hrs 40 mins
| 4 Comments |
5 from 7 votes
Jump to Recipe 06/28/20 | Updated: 01/26/21 | by Nora
Crockpot Pulled Pork Image Pin

Learn how to make the best BBQ pulled pork in your slow cooker – just 10 minutes of prep time will turn 5 simple ingredients into a delicious sandwich filling!

overhead view of crockpot with BBQ pulled pork

I love a dinner I can just throw together in 10 minutes and let the slow cooker do all the rest of the work! This pulled pork is one of our favorites for lazy summer days – quick to prep, easy, delicious and it doesn’t heat up the house!

This slow cooked pulled pork

  • only uses 5 ingredients (plus salt as needed)
  • is ready for the slow cooker after just 10 minutes of prep time
  • can be doubled to serve a crowd
  • is freezer-friendly so you can save leftovers for later

BBQ Pulled Pork ingredients

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

ingredients for crockpot pulled pork with labels
Ingredients for BBQ pulled pork: Pork shoulder, beef broth, BBQ rub, onion, BBQ sauce, salt.

Ingredient notes

  • Pork: You may use pork loin if looking for a leaner pulled pork; but be warned: The pork may dry out significantly due to a lack of fat.
  • BBQ rub: Can use a homemade rub or a combination of brown sugar, ground paprika, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder and salt instead.
  • Beef broth: Can use chicken broth instead if you have no beef broth on hand.
  • BBQ sauce: Make sure to use a BBQ sauce you really enjoy the flavor of, because it’s a significant part of the dish. Can also use ketchup for a very mild version if your kids are averse to any kind of strong seasoning.
  • Onion: Can leave the onion out if you don’t like it/don’t have it on hand, but I strongly recommend it for flavor.

Watch the recipe video

How to make pulled pork in the crockpot

1) Rub the pork with BBQ rub all over.

2) Place in the slow cooker with 3) diced onion and 4) beef broth.

collage of steps to make crockpot pulled pork

5) Slow cook until 6) fork-tender, then 7) drain and 8) shred.

Heat through with 9) BBQ sauce to taste.

close up of pulled pork in crock

Recipe tips

  • The exact cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your pork, so if it still feels a little tough once the cooking time is up, feel free to cook it for another hour
  • If you want to double the recipe, you need to use a bigger slow cooker! I recommend a 6-8 quart cooker for 3-4 pounds of pork shoulder. Make sure to also use enough beef broth to just about cover the pork.
  • I always pull apart the pork right in the crockpot, because that way any remaining juices don’t splatter around too much. Make sure you take care and don’t scratch the bottom of the crock with the forks.

Freezer tips

This pulled pork easily freezes for up to 3 months.

Let the pork cool for 30 minutes, then pack it into freezer-friendly containers. Label with the name and date and refrigerate until cold. Then place in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Defrost in the fridge overnight. Remove the pork to a pot and gently reheat on the stove until steaming hot all the way through. You may need to add some extra BBQ sauce.

Serving suggestions

We always have this pulled pork on sandwich buns with coleslaw or potato salad and baked beans on the side. Chips are also great 😉

  • Crockpot Pineapple BBQ Baked Beans
  • Creamy No Mayo Coleslaw
  • Creamy Dill Potato Salad
pulled pork sandwich with beer and crockpot in background

More easy sandwich recipes

  • Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
  • Honey BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork
  • Slow Cooker Pineapple BBQ Pulled Pork
  • Mushroom Grilled Cheese

PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.

Printable Recipe Card
pulled pork sandwich with beer and crockpot in background
Save Recipe Saved!

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

Learn how to make the best BBQ pulled pork in your slow cooker – just 10 minutes of prep time will turn 5 simple ingredients into a delicious sandwich filling!
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
5 from 7 votes
Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 10 mins
Cook 8 hrs 30 mins
Total 8 hrs 40 mins
Servings 16 servings
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients
 

  • 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast
  • 2 tablespoons BBQ rub seasoning
  • 1 sweet onion diced
  • 1 (32-oz) container beef broth
  • 1 (18-oz) bottle barbecue sauce
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Rub pork all over with BBQ rub seasoning.
  • Place pork, onion and broth in a large slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook until very tender (the meat should fall apart easily with a fork!), on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours or on LOW for 8 to 10 hours.
  • Drain liquid from slow cooker (hot!) and shred pork with 2 forks. Stir in as much barbecue sauce as you like.
  • Cook on LOW for 30 minutes, until heated through. Add salt as neeed and serve on buns with additional sauce, if desired.
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Notes

Ingredient notes

  • Pork: You may use pork loin if looking for a leaner pulled pork; but be warned: The pork may dry out significantly due to a lack of fat.
  • BBQ rub: Can use a homemade rub or a combination of brown sugar, ground paprika, smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder and salt instead.
  • Beef broth: Can use chicken broth instead if you have no beef broth on hand.
  • BBQ sauce: Make sure to use a BBQ sauce you really enjoy the flavor of, because it’s a significant part of the dish. Can also use ketchup for a very mild version if your kids are averse to any kind of strong seasoning.
  • Onion: Can leave out the onion if you don’t like it/don’t have it on hand, but I strongly recommend it for flavor.

Recipe tips

  • The exact cooking time depends on the size and thickness of your pork, so if it still feels a little tough once the cooking time is up, feel free to cook it for another hour
  • If you want to double the recipe, you need to use a bigger slow cooker! I recommend a 6-8 quart cooker for 3-4 pounds of pork shoulder. Make sure to also use enough beef broth to just about cover the pork.
  • I always pull apart the pork right in the crockpot, because that way any remaining juices don’t splatter around too much. Make sure you take care and don’t scratch the bottom of the crock with the forks.

Freezer tips

This pulled pork easily freezes for up to 3 months.
Let the pork cool for 30 minutes, then pack it into freezer-friendly containers. Label with the name and date and refrigerate until cold. Then place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost in the fridge overnight. Remove the pork to a pot and gently reheat on the stove until steaming hot all the way through. You may need to add some extra BBQ sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 11gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 580mgPotassium: 319mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Gail Drummond says

    February 15, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    The pulled pork was a hit. It was easy to make and tasted wonderful.

    Reply
  2. eddie says

    October 06, 2021 at 3:24 pm

    Do you have a home made BBQ rub recipe for this recipe . Thank You

    Reply
  3. Sharon Cummings says

    May 29, 2021 at 1:41 am

    Hi,
    Could you recommend a good barbecue sauce, please?
    Thank you,
    Sharon

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2021 at 9:22 am

      Sharon, my favorite is Stubb’s Hickory Bourbon. My husband loves Sweet Baby Ray’s original. Hope this helps!

      Reply

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Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings

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Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

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