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!
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.
Video
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.