Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is our favorite way to make shredded pork because the meat is so juicy and tender. The sweet and smoky barbecue flavor makes it perfect for pulled pork sandwiches.
This is an easy, crowd-pleasing crockpot recipe everyone will love. Watch the video tutorial and it will make your mouth water! P.S. You can even freeze leftover pork for another busy weeknight.
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe:
My sister Svetlana is a natural cook; someone who throws lots of ingredients together and it turns out amazing. This is her recipe and as the story goes, she had planned to make a pot roast and purchased the wrong kind of meat! This crockpot bbq pork turned out to be the best kind of mistake and is now a family and reader favorite.
This pork is easy to prepare; just toss everything into the slow cooker and it does all of the work. You can use all of that free time for making some delicious sides to go along with your meal. We love serving this with our favorite coleslaw (pictured above). This would also be delicious with a side of our smashed potatoes or crispy baked potato wedges.
Ingredients for Pulled Pork:
Here are the things you will need to make pulled pork in a slow cooker: a large onion, 6-7 lbs of boneless Pork Shoulder Chuck Roast, and a simple homemade pork rub with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
For the marinade, you’ll need chicken broth, BBQ Sauce (use homemade Barbecue Sauce or Stubb’s Sticky Sweet storebought), liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, fresh garlic, and brown sugar. The liquid smoke is optional but does add great smoked pulled pork flavor.
How to Make Pulled Pork:
Shredded Pork in the crockpot doesn’t get any easier. There is no pre-cooking or searing required. Watch the video tutorial below.
1. Add diced onion to the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. To make the Pulled Pork Rub, combine 1 Tbsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp paprika. Sprinkle seasonings over the meat and massage to rub the seasoning into the meat. Place meat in the slow cooker.
3. For the marinade, combine: 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup BBQ sauce, 1 Tbsp liquid smoke, 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tbsp brown sugar and 3 pressed garlic cloves then stir to combine. Pour the marinade over the pork.
4. Cover and set the crockpot on low for 8 hours if using 2 smaller roasts or 8-10 hours for 1 large roast. Remove the meat to a large bowl and remove any fat. Shred with two forks. Pour some of the remaining sauce in the slow cooker over the pork, adding it to taste. Brush the shredded pork with more BBQ Sauce.
How to Serve Pulled Pork:
The great thing about crockpot cooking is it’s easy to take along and serve other places outside your home while still keeping things hot and fresh. Here are a few ideas of other ways to use this great crockpot recipe. Pulled pork leftovers are the best kind of leftovers!
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches on a soft potato bun is our favorite way to serve shredded pork.
- Pulled Pork Tacos are a fun twist to Taco Tuesday!
- Shredded Pork Nachos served with tortilla chips, cheese, and all the fixings are great for parties.
- Pork Wraps are delicious with some corn and black beans.
- Pork Salad is a smart and lighter meal option, adding pork for protein.
- Pulled Pork Sliders are so good in homemade dinner rolls.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes:
For those busy days, try some of our other crock-pot meals:
- BBQ Chicken – Great with coconut coleslaw.
- Bolognese Sauce – Prepped in the morning, ready when you come home.
- Crockpot Lasagna – Just as good as the classic recipe, but easier.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Chili – A tasty twist on a traditional favorite.
- Shredded Chicken Tacos – A quick, fun dinner party idea.
- Shredded Beef Sandwiches – great for meal prep!
Watch How to Make Pulled Pork:
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Pulled Pork Recipe

Ingredients
- 1 large onion
- 6 lbs boneless Pork Shoulder Chuck Roast, (or 2 smaller roasts totalling 6-7 lbs)
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ Sauce
- 1 Tbsp liquid smoke, optional but nice
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 large garlic cloves, pressed
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- Chop 1 large onion and place it into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Combine 1 Tbsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp paprika and generously sprinkle the pork roast. Massage the roast to rub the seasoning into the meat. Place meat over the onions.
- For the marinade, combine: 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup BBQ sauce, 1 Tbsp liquid smoke, 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, and 3 pressed garlic cloves. Stir to combine. Pour the marinade over the pork.
- Cover and set on low for 8 hours for 2 smaller roasts or 8-10 hours for a single large roast. It's ready when easily pulled apart with forks. Remove the meat to a large bowl and remove any fat. Shred with forks. Pour any drippings from the crockpot over the meat to taste then brush meat with warm barbecue sauce to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This was seriously the BEST pulled pork recipe I have ever used/tasted! My hubby, the super picky eater really liked it. Thank you for an awesome recipe!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Trying your pulled pork today after eating Turkey left overs for 2days! What sides would you recommend ? Veggie?
We like it on a bun or with some coleslaw. Make yourself a pulled pork sandwich or pulled pork taco topped with extra BBQ sauce, or serve it as a savory side.
This is my go-to recipe for pulled pork. I’ve made it numerous times, with and without the liquid smoke. It’s always moist and flavourful. However, I do add an amazing Apple Coleslaw, which in my opinion takes it to the next level.
That sounds fancy!! Thank you for sharing that!
Delish!
Thank you Mel!
Is there a way to convert this recipe for an Instant Pot?
Hi Luba, I haven’t tried this one specifically in an Insta Pot. I think it is possible though. If you experiment please let me know how you like it!
Tried it and the pork turned out dry and stiff.. not sure if I over cooked it or what. I am new to the Instant pot so not sure what I did wrong on my end
Hi Luba, an instant pot or pressure cooker will cook foods much quicker than a slow cooker so you would want to cut the time down significantly. I haven’t tested this particular recipe in an instant pot but from what I’ve researched online, it looks like you would want to cook it on manual high pressure for 45 minutes then let it depressurize for 10 minutes naturally before releasing the remaining pressure via the valve at the top. I hope that helps!
Delicious!! Just made some today and planning to make it again in near future.
Awesome! I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for the great review!
Hi there
Really excited to try this! How do I know exactly when the pork is done. I’m using a 5lb boneless sholdour? I just don’t want to over cook. Any suggestions?
We recommend following the cooking instruction but since times vary so checking the internal temperature may help verify 🙂
Can I use Frozen tenderloin? And if so what changes should I make? Under a time crunch.
Hi Patricia! I have not tried using a frozen roast, so I can’t say for sure. You would definitely have to increase the cooking time. If you test it out, let me know how you like it!
Hi Natasha
I ended up make a run to the store to get a fresh one. Thank you for your response. Every one loved the recipie. I strained the juices and left the onion bits in a serving dish as a topping. Hubby loved the flavour.
Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Just finished making this with a pork loin. I was very nervous because of it being a loin AND I didn’t have any chicken broth, so replaced with just water.. it is absolutely DELICIOUS! This recipe will be added to my favorites. Thank you 😊
I’m so happy you were able to make that work! Thank you for sharing this with us, Danielle!
Followed the recipe to the letter (doubled it however). Added liquid smoke as suggested and used a loin that was 4.6 pounds. Other than increasing the cook time to 10 hours no other changes.
Turned out WONDERFUL. My first time making pulled pork in the crockpot. Will definately do it again!
I’m so happy to hear that, Ro! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Reading this is literally making my mouth water! I was wondering if Pork Butt could be substituted?
Hi Gale, yes that will work great! 🙂
My sister made this last night for a party and it was AMAZING! We all had to get the recipe. Thanks!
My pleasure Dyan! I’m glad to hear the recipe is an absolute hit. Thanks for sharing your awesome review!
Hi. I have a 10 lb bone-in pork shoulder. How long would you suggest to cook it for?
Hi Jessica, I haven’t tested this recipe with that cut but I would probably let it go 8-10 hours or until very tender.
Hi Natasha, I love this recipe! It was my first time using a slow cooker and makes for easy meal planning on my student budget because of all the leftovers! What bun would you recommend using? I used an olive oil ciabatta bun which was good, just wondering what you use.
Hi Ally, a variety of buns would work and I do think the ciabatta sounds really good! The one in the photo is a potato bun from Winco.
HI Natasha, Sounds great! Planning on making this for a party. Any thoughts on making this recipe a day ahead, so I could shred it earlier? How would you recommend reheating it? In the crockpot again on low? Do you think it would dry the meat out? Thanks!
Hi Jenny, this would work to make it a day ahead and then reheat the following day. If you need a quicker reheat, I would suggest a deep skillet to reheat it. You can also reheat in the crock pot – put it on low if you have some time to warm it up or set it to high and keep an eye on it and turn it down to warm once it’s well heated through.
Thank you so much! Everyone LOVED the meat and asked for the recipe. It worked out perfectly, cooking and shredding the meat the day before, then reheating on low the day of the party! thank you
Hi Natasha! Like Jenny, I’m looking to make for a party ahead of time. After shredding the meat, would I just put it back in crock pot with the juices and then just reheat that all the next day on low? Thanks!!
Hi Jennifer, yes that is how I would reheat it as well.
If time permits do you think it would be helpful to Season the pork and let set overnight in fridge or do you think this wouldn’t make much of a difference?
Thanks,
Travis
Hi Travis, with the slow cooking and then shredding, it isn’t necessary to marinate in advance.
Ok, thank you for getting back to me on this. My pork shoulder will be going into the crock pot in about an hour…wish me luck 🙂
You’re welcome Travis! Please let me know what you think!
It turned out great and my whole family loved it…very tender and flavorful! However, I will say, I also made your recipe for Smashed Pot’s to go along with it and they stole the show…OMG, I could’ve eaten the entire tray myself they were soooo good!
That’s great to hear! I’m glad to hear everyone enjoys the recipes. Thanks for sharing your wonderful review!
I just had this for a ladies club meeting at my house and it turned out wonderful! I will definitely keep this recipe on hand to make again. I used a 7 pound pork shoulder that I trimmed. One of the girls, that I go camping with, commented that we needed to add this to our repertoire of camping meals for times when her son doesn’t feel like smoking a pork butt. Thanks so much for the recipe!!
You’re welcome Jenny! I’m glad to hear the recipe is such a hit. Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
Hi Natasha! I’m a big fan 🙂 Your recipes are great! I don’t have a slow cooker pot. Can I prepare this recipe on a normal pan on gas stove top? If it is possible, can you give some advice? Thanks.
Hi Virginia, It would probably work well in a dutch oven, using a cooking method like this (Martha Stewart’s) . I would prepare everything the same as for the slow cooker except put it in the dutch oven at the end instead of the slow cooker.
I can’t find the link to the coleslaw. Can you share where to find the recipe?
Hi Kristina, we have 2 great coleslaws that we use: coconut coleslaw and apple coleslaw. If I were to choose a favorite, it would be coconut but both are very good.
This was the best pulled pork recipe I’ve ever used. I used a pork loin instead of the shoulder. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome Vickie! I’m happy to hear how much you enjoy the recipe. Thanks for sharing your great review!