Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is the kind of recipe that makes you look like a hero without breaking a sweat. With just a handful of pantry staples and a slow cooker, you can create a meal that tastes like you’ve been tending to it all day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (or pork butt)
- 1 (12-ounce) can root beer (not diet)
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste (about 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper)
Instructions
- Prep the pork: Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season generously on all sides with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Add to slow cooker: Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker, fat side up if it has a fat cap. Pour the entire can of root beer around the pork (not directly on top).
- Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. The pork is done when it shreds easily with a fork and internal temperature reaches 195-205°F.
- Shred the pork: Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker to a cutting board. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. Discard any large chunks of fat.
- Mix with BBQ sauce: Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Discard most of the cooking liquid (leave about ½ cup for moisture), then pour in 1 cup of BBQ sauce. Stir to coat evenly. Taste and add more sauce if desired.
- Warm through: Cover and cook on LOW for another 15-20 minutes, or until the pork is heated through and the flavors meld.
- Serve: Pile the pulled pork onto hamburger buns, over rice, or on a salad. Top with coleslaw or pickles for crunch.
Notes
For extra flavor, sear the pork shoulder in a hot skillet with a little oil for 2-3 minutes per side before adding to the slow cooker. Don’t skip the low and slow cooking for best tenderness. The pulled pork tastes even better on day two.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
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