Ever noticed some pulled pork recipes taste better than others? The key is slow cooking in a from-scratch BBQ sauce. This easy slow cooker BBQ pulled pork recipe is great for busy families. It gives you delicious, tender pork without questionable ingredients like Coke or root beer.
Why I Love This Recipe
During the busy days of summer, I often choose one-skillet meals like garden stir fry, ground beef curry, Michele’s skillet supper, or egg roll in a bowl. These make a hearty supper without a lot of fuss.
In addition to skillet meals, I love giving my slow-cooker a good workout, making Fajitas de Lengua and, of course, this slow-cooker BBQ pulled pork recipe.
Preparing dinner hours in advance allows me to focus on my many tasks for the day without worrying about how to feed everyone in the evening. Plus, the slow cooker doesn’t heat up my kitchen, which is a huge benefit on those hot summer days!
The Best Cut of Meat for Pulled Pork
The right cut of meat can really make your slow cooker BBQ pulled pork shine. Pork shoulder, also called pork butt or Boston butt, is a great option. It has just the right amount of marbling which makes for juicy, tender pork when you cook it low and slow.
Pork shoulder can come with the bone or not, and both kinds are great for this dish. Once the connective tissue and fat in the pork shoulder soften, the meat is easy to pull apart with a fork, and the bone will fall right out.
Pork shoulder outperforms other cuts for pulled pork. Cuts like pork tenderloin and pork loin don’t have enough fat. They can end up dry after long cooking times. It’s all about choosing a well-marbled piece and cutting away any extra fat. This way, you’re guaranteed the tastiest pulled pork every single time.
Ways to Serve Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
BBQ pulled pork is commonly served on a soft bun topped with coleslaw, but this tasty, tender meat works wonders in many dishes. However you dish it up, it’s a winner. Here are some other ways to get creative with this dish:
- Tacos & Quesadillas – For something different, make Tex-Mex-style tacos or quesadillas. Just add your toppings, maybe some onions, cheese, and cilantro.
- Nachos – Pulled pork can also bring nachos to the next level. Layer your chips with pork, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream. Top with some pickled jalapenos and fresh salsa for a little heat, and it’s a dish that’s sure to please a crowd.
- Pizza – Feeling like pizza? Use pulled pork as a tasty topping. It blends well with pizza staples like onions, peppers, and BBQ sauce. Or, swap it out as the Canadian bacon for a spin on a Hawaiian pizza.
- Baked Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes – Get creative with your baked potato or sweet potato toppings by layering on a generous helping of pulled pork. It’s both tasty and nutritious!
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Supplies Needed
- Broiler Pan – Broiling the peaches brings out their sweetness, and is the secret ingredient to the delicious homemade BBQ sauce.
- Food Processor – I love my Breville Food Processor, but any food processor or high-powered blender will work.
- Slow Cooker – A traditional slow cooker or multi-cooker with a slow cooker setting works great.
Ingredients Needed
For the Sauce:
- Peaches – We prefer fresh peaches, but you can use canned if that’s what you have on hand (be sure to strain the excess liquid before using them).
- Balsamic Vinegar – You can also use apple cider vinegar, apple scrap vinegar, or 1⁄3 cup of tomato paste.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Though many people say you can substitute soy sauce or fish sauce for Worcestershire, that is not recommended for this recipe.
- Lemon Juice – Fresh or bottled lemon juice works great.
- Molasses – You can use any type of molasses, including light, dark, or blackstrap.
- Garlic – Fresh, if you have it, but freeze-dried garlic also works great.
- Paprika – Use smoked or regular paprika, according to your preference.
- Dried Mustard – If you don’t have dried mustard on hand, you can substitute 1 tbsp Dijon mustard.
- Ground Ginger – If you don’t have ground ginger on hand, you can substitute 2 tbsp of fresh ginger.
- Salt and Pepper – To taste.
For the Roast:
- Pork Roast – Use a pork shoulder, which is also called a pork butt or a Boston butt.
- White Onion – White onion is preferred, but yellow or red onion can be substituted.
- Chicken Broth – Learn how to make homemade bone broth here.
- Salt and Pepper – I use Redmond Real Salt. (Using that link for Redmond Salt will automatically give you 15% off your order!)
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
- Place peaches cut side up on a baking sheet and put under the oven broiler.
- Broil until the peaches begin to brown. (Watch the fruit carefully so it doesn’t burn.)
- Remove broiled peaches from the oven and allow to cool for 3 minutes.
- Place BBQ sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor: vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, molasses, garlic, paprika, mustard, and ginger.
- Blend BBQ sauce until smooth, scraping down as necessary to ensure no lumps.
- Line the bottom of your slow cooker with onion slices, then pour in chicken broth. Rub all sides of the pork roast with salt and pepper, then place on top of the onion slices.
- Pour peach BBQ sauce over the roast, aiming to cover as much of the exposed meat as
possible. Reserve some BBQ sauce for serving if desired. - Slow cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.
- Using two forks, shred the roast in the slow cooker and mix it with additional BBQ sauce (if needed) before serving.
Freezing Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
This Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe is perfect for freezing. After cooking, follow these steps:
- Let the pork cool completely.
- Cut or shred the pork into small pieces for easy reheating.
- Use a little cooking liquid or BBQ sauce to keep it juicy.
- Store the pork in a flat layer in a freezer bag for easy defrosting.
- Don’t forget to label it with the date and contents.
To Reheat: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or run it under cool water until defrosted. Heat it on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. Add additional sauce (or a splash of bone broth) if it’s a little dry.
Pulled pork will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. This is a great way to have tasty pulled pork ready for quick meals.
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below. Then snap a photo of your slow cooker BBQ pulled pork and tag us on social media @homesteadingfamily so we can see!
In the Homestead Kitchen
This recipe was featured in issue no. 23 Peaches of In the Homestead Kitchen Magazine. If you’re interested in gaining the skills, knowledge, confidence, and inspiration you’ve been missing as a homesteader, this magazine has been designed just for you.
Let us help you transform your home from a consumer-based home into a productive and healthy home through thoughtful instruction and well-designed content.
This subscription is currently available digitally, but in January 2025, it will be going to print! If you subscribe now, you will lock in your low digital price!
FAQ
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a recipe that makes the meat very tender and juicy. You cook pork shoulder (or pork butt) low and slow for 8-10 hours. This makes the meat so soft that it easily falls apart when you shred it.
The best meat for pulled pork is pork shoulder, also called pork butt. It’s not expensive and should have some fat marbling. This cut becomes very tender and juicy when you cook it slowly.
To get the best BBQ Pulled Pork in a slow cooker, keep it simple. Season the pork with salt and pepper and cook it in homemade barbecue sauce and onions. The flavors blend well during the long cooking time. This makes the pork incredibly tender and tasty.
You can enjoy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork in many ways. A popular choice is to make “slaw burgers,” which are BBQ pulled pork sandwiches served on a soft hamburger bun topped with coleslaw. But you can also use the meat in tacos, quesadillas, nachos, or as a pizza topping. It even goes well with stuffed sweet potatoes, chili, and macaroni and cheese.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is delicious with many sides. Try it with a simple green salad, coleslaw, roasted vegetables, potato salad, baked beans, mac and cheese, or cornbread.
Yes, you can freeze this pork recipe. After it’s cooked and shredded, mix it with some cooking liquid. Then, let it cool before putting it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze it flat for up to 6 months.
Other Posts You May Enjoy
- Savory Beef Tongue Recipe (Fajitas de Lengua)
- Best Way to Use Up Garden Produce – Garden Stir Fry
- Michele’s Skillet Supper
- Egg Roll in a Bowl Recipe
- Hearty Ground Beef Curry with Peas and Potatoes
- Lemon Reduction Sauce With Roasted Chicken
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
Equipment
- Broiler Pan
- Blender
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
For the BBQ Sauce
- 4 peaches pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 4 cloves garlic diced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard or 1 Tablespoon prepared Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger or 2 Tablespoons fresh grated ginger
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Roast
- 3-4 pound pork shoulder or pork butt
- 1 whole onion sliced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 Tablespoon salt enough to season the roast well
- 1 Tablespoon pepper enough to season the roast well
Instructions
For the Sauce
- Place peaches cut side up on a baking sheet and put under the oven broiler.
- Broil until the peaches begin to brown. (Watch the fruit carefully so it doesn’t burn.)
- Remove broiled peaches from the oven and allow to cool for 3 minutes.
- Place BBQ sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor: vinegar, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, molasses, garlic, paprika, mustard, and ginger.
- Blend BBQ sauce until smooth, scraping down as necessary to ensure no lumps.
For the Roast
- Line the bottom of your slow cooker with onion slices, then pour in chicken broth. Rub all sides of the pork roast with salt and pepper, then place on top of the onion slices.
- Pour peach BBQ sauce over the roast, aiming to cover as much of the exposed meat as possible. Reserve some BBQ sauce for serving if desired.
- Slow cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.
- Using two forks, shred the roast in the slow cooker and mix it with additional BBQ sauce (if needed) before serving.
Notes
Ways to Serve Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
BBQ pulled pork is commonly served on a soft bun topped with coleslaw, but this tasty, tender meat works wonders in many dishes. However you dish it up, it’s a winner. Here are some other ways to get creative with this dish:- Tacos & Quesadillas – For something different, make Tex-Mex-style tacos or quesadillas. Just add your toppings, maybe some onions, cheese, and cilantro.
- Nachos – Pulled pork can also bring nachos to the next level. Layer your chips with pork, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream. Top with some pickled jalapenos and fresh salsa for a little heat, and it’s a dish that’s sure to please a crowd.
- Pizza – Feeling like pizza? Use pulled pork as a tasty topping. It blends well with pizza staples like onions, peppers, and BBQ sauce. Or, swap it out as the Canadian bacon for a spin on a Hawaiian pizza.
- Baked Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes – Get creative with your baked potato or sweet potato toppings by layering on a generous helping of pulled pork. It’s both tasty and nutritious!
