Crockpot Pulled Pork is tender, flavorful as can be, and SO easy to make! This is a true set it and forget it recipe that always hits the spot. Apple juice, a mixture of bold seasonings and barbecue sauce make this fall-apart pulled pork irresistible.
Enjoy more easy slow cooker recipes like Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup, Crockpot Meatloaf and Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Glaze.
Table of Contents
- Reader Rating
- Why we love it:
- Crockpot Pulled Pork Ingredients:
- How to make Crockpot Pulled Pork
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to store Crock Pot Pulled Pork
- Can I freeze Crockpot pulled pork?
- What is the best cut of meat for crock pot pulled pork?
- Serving suggestions:
- The BEST Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
Crockpot pulled pork is about as easy as it gets! Simple ingredients, hassle-free steps, and amazing results every single time. This is the definition of foolproof!
I love tossing a serving of this slow cooker pulled pork on top of a homemade hamburger bun with coleslaw and some Homemade BBQ Sauce for a seriously good sandwich. However, it’s great a number of different ways – scroll down to the serving suggestions for more ideas.
No matter how you choose to enjoy this bbq pulled pork recipe, you’re going to be obsessed!
Reader Rating
“Oh my gosh, this is delicious!! We used sweet baby ray’s honey bbq sauce and SO FREAKING GOOD! 🤤” — Sarah
Why we love it:
- Family friendly – Everyone from great grandparents to little picky eaters loves this classic pulled pork recipe! It’s a great way to make sure everyone gets their fill of protein.
- Low stress – Dinner doesn’t need to stress you out, especially when you can just plug in the Crockpot and let it do all the work for you.
- Inexpensive – Yes! We love a good budget friendly recipe, especially when it’s as filling as this one. Spend a little and serve a lot – the best of both worlds.
- So tender and flavorful – It’s melt-in-your-mouth tender and shreds so easily! It’s got great flavor, thanks to a garlic herb rub that I use on my slow cooker pork loin recipe as well.
Crockpot Pulled Pork Ingredients:
- Pork loin: I always use a boneless pork loin or pork shoulder for pulled pork. A shoulder will have more fat, but I find that the leaner pork loin stays nice and juicy with this slow cooker preparation!
- Apple juice: Soda (like Dr. Pepper) also works if preferred.
- Bbq sauce: Feel free to go the extra mile with Homemade Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce!
- Seasonings: A medley of Italian seasoning, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder and black pepper is all you need to make this pulled pork recipe incredibly flavorful.
How to make Crockpot Pulled Pork
Ready, set it, forget it! This easy Crock pot pulled pork recipe is great for those busy days when you just don’t have time to fuss over dinner. Scroll to the bottom of this page for more detailed instructions.
- Place the pork loin in the Crockpot and cover with apple juice and seasonings.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Shred with two forks.
- Toss the bbq sauce and pork together.
- Keep the pulled pork warm in the Crockpot.
Variations and Substitutions
- Mix up the liquid: Try a can of soda — try Cranberry Ginger Ale, Sprite, Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper or go totally in your own direction and try something new!
- Add buffalo: Try tossing it in buffalo sauce for a pork-y twist on buffalo chicken — great for game day sandwiches!
- Add honey garlic: Stir in some honey garlic sauce and serve with rice or noodles.
How to store Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Once it cools to room temperature, you can store leftover bbq pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Add a splash of moisture (water, broth, juice, or sauce) and reheat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave, stirring each time it stops, until warmed all the way through.
Can I freeze Crockpot pulled pork?
Yes! It freezes perfectly for up to 3-4 months in a heavy duty freezer bag or freezer container. Don’t forget to date and label! It’s one of our favorite freezer meals!
What is the best cut of meat for crock pot pulled pork?
I always recommend using either boneless pork loin or pork shoulder for pulled pork! See my reasons for each down below.
The best meat for pulled pork really depends on your preferences: sometimes I prefer leaner, boneless cuts of meat (if I don’t want my pulled pork too fatty), and other times I reach for higher fat cuts for more juiciness.
Either way this slow cooker pulled pork recipe is going to be tender, juicy and delicious after a long, slow cooker!
Using Pork Loin for pulled pork:
It’s an easy-to-cook, fairly lean cut of meat so you don’t have to deal with any bones. This way, I get the most bang for my buck, I don’t have to do a lot of trimming, and it’s just plain delicious.
Pork loin also tends to go on sale often for a great price, and I will pick up a few to store in the freezer until a craving for this slow cooker pulled pork hits.
Since we are slow cooking our shredded pork, the loin stays moist during the long cook time.
Using Pork Shoulder for Crockpot Pulled Pork:
Pork shoulder also gives great results! The pork shoulder is high in fat which will make a very juicy pulled pork and it is another great option.
Pork shoulder is a great option for the slow cooker as well as oven and smoked preparations as the fat ensures it doesn’t dry out.
Serving suggestions:
Honestly, we usually eat this alone with some Brioche Buns and maybe some pickles and chips, but here are a few great side options that go well with pulled pork:
- Easy Potato Salad Recipe — a summer must have!
- Creamy Ranch Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe — easy to prep ahead!
- No Mayo Garlic Herb Potato Salad — simple and delicious.
Don’t forget to serve with a tall glass of Easy Homemade Pink Lemonade or Strawberry Lemonade!
The BEST Crock Pot Pulled Pork
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 4 lb boneless pork loin or pork shoulder (trimmed if desired)
- 1 cup apple juice (or soda)
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups barbecue sauce as desired
Instructions
- Place pork loin in a 4-6 quart crock pot and pour in apple juice.
- Combine seasoning salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, mustard, onion powder and black pepper and sprinkle half over pork loin. Turn and sprinkle on the remaining half.
- Cover and cook on low until fall apart tender — 8 to 10 hours.
- Shred with two forks, discarding excess fat. Toss in remaining juices and coat with barbecue sauce as desired. Serve on hamburger buns.
Notes
Ingredients and Substitutions:
Pork: I often use pork loin but it is leaner and will result in a leaner pulled pork. I don’t find that this is a problem because the slow cooker and juices keep the pork so moist that we don’t miss the extra fat. Pork shoulder is typically the best cut of meat for pulled pork because it is fatty, which makes it very tender when cooked. You choose which you prefer! Apple juice: I love apples and pork, so this is my favorite liquid, but you can use broth, water or soda (Dr. Pepper or Root Beer are both delicious!). Barbecue sauce: Choose your favorite barbecue sauce, or try my Homemade BBQ Sauce, this Easy Homemade Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce or this Homemade Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce.Nutrition Information
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Emma says
Used pork shoulder and made a triple batch for the family and some friends, everyone loved it and we all have plenty of leftovers. Best recipe out there will definitely use again!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Emma!
KatSD says
NO! Don’t even attempt this recipe with a pork loin. You will get hot cardboard that you then have to drench in pork fat or BBQ sauce to make barely edible. I’ve been cooking for 40 years, I should have known better. Use a shoulder or other fatty cut.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Kat! I’m not sure where you get your pork, but I’ve never had a problem cooking a leaner pork loin in the crockpot and having great results. It sounds like it could be a meat quality issue.
Terri says
Absolutely the best pulled pork I have ever made! I followed the recipe exactly but used Coke instead of the apple juice – (Coke is what I had). It was so good that BBQ sauce was really not necessary…it was that good. With the leftovers, we added Mojo sauce and had with black beans, rice and plantains. It was incredible. This is a keeper for sure!!!
Ashley Fehr says
I love that idea!
Emily Jones says
Wondering if you started with a thawed pork loin and how long should it cook if it is frozen?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Emily! I don’t typically recommend this so I’m not sure I can give an accurate cook time.
Abby says
If I double this do I need to plan for 20 hrs of cooking?
Ashley Fehr says
No, you’ll just need to use two slow cookers.
Nancy says
Can you make this a day ahead? If so, do you add the bbq sauce before refrigerating the pulled pork, or add sauce the next day before reheating the meat?
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely! You can do either, or a little of both 🙂
Jami says
If we don’t have 8 hours can you do 4 hours pause and refrigerate over night and then do 4 hours the next day?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Jami! I don’t recommend it. I would simply cook overnight or throughout the day, then reheat later as needed.
LinG says
Can I cook this on high? I don’t have the 8-10 hours… 🙁
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi LinG. I’ve only tested it on low. Pulled pork does best at a lower temperature. If you decide to try it on high, let me know how it goes!
Linda says
I cooked it on high and it was amazing. I brought it to a birthday party and everyone raved about it.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m glad you liked it!
Joyce Brook says
This looks delicious however, one tablespoon of seasoned salt sounds like a lot as we watch our sodium intake. Can this be cut down at all? Also, what kind of seasoned salt do you use? How many people does the recipe serve? Thank you!
Susanne says
I made this today! It’s absolutely delicious 😋 thank you for sharing this recipe ❤️
Casey says
Made this today for my mom for Mother’s Day. It was very very good! Thanks for the recipe.
Marcy says
Can you substitute apple cider vinegar in place of apple juice? TIA, MJ
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Marcy, the vinegar would give it a different flavor than the juice. I would use either broth, water or soda (Dr. Pepper or Root Beer are both delicious!).
Maey says
I am making this tomorrow but not clear re BBQ sauce, is it stirred / mixed into the shredded pork or warmed and served separately to put on top?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Maey, it’s in Step 4. You’ll “Toss in remaining juices and coat with barbecue sauce as desired.” Also if you take a look at the video at the 28 second mark you’ll see how the bbq sauce is added. Hope this helps!
Courtney says
What seasoning salt should I use I have Lawrys seasoning salt.
The Recipe Rebel says
That should work!
Alyce Gustafson says
My family LOVES this recipe. I made a bigger batch to freeze for a quick dinner night and it freezes very well too! Tasted just as good when it’s fresh. Definitely keeping this recipe!
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear, Alyce!