Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
You owe it to yourself to try this slow cooker pulled pork recipe. It's so easy and healthy--just rub on the homemade seasoning, add some aromatics, and pour on some liquids. The perfect dinner idea for a crowd at your next summer BBQ. Pile it on tacos, sandwiches, sliders, or serve it with coleslaw. It's a classic!
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 202kcal
Ingredients
For the Rub
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 heaping tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the Meat
- 7 pound pork shoulder roast Boston butt, boneless
For the Aromatics
- 1 large yellow onion sliced
- 5 garlic cloves peeled
- 2 bay leaves
For the Liquids
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
- Stir together the rub mixture spices in a medium bowl.
- Rinse and pat dry the roast with paper towels, then rub the spice mixture all over the roast.
- Slice the onion into rings and peel the garlic, then place them at the bottom of the crock pot. Add two bay leaves and dump any remaining spices from the rub mixture into the crock pot. Pour in the liquids and place the roast fat side up.
- Cover and cook on high for 8 hours or on low for 12. The roast is done when it is very tender.
- Once the roast is done, place it on a large cutting board. Let the meat rest for 30 minutes. For pulled pork use two forks to shred the meat and discard any extra fat, then place the pulled pork in a very large bowl. This should take 15 minutes.
- Take the cooked onions and garlic out of the crock pot and place in a small bowl. Mush up the garlic with the tongs of a fork, then add the garlic and onions to the meat.
- This step is optional: add the extra cooking liquid to the pulled pork, one tablespoon at a time, until the meat is as moist and flavorful as you desire.
- Serve on hamburger buns with BBQ sauce, coleslaw and pickled red onions, on soft tacos, or as is with some BBQ sauce.
Notes
- To improve the flavor of pulled pork, make this one day ahead.
- A homemade rub with spices you love is the best way to go.
- Save time: don't sear the meat before putting it in the slow cooker.
- Skim off the fat before reserving the juice.
- As a short cut to guests, stir in your favorite BBQ sauce to the pulled pork before serving on buns.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1026mg | Potassium: 509mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 2mg
