This Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe is so easy and so flavorful! It starts with a garlic herb rub and hangs out in the slow cooker until it’s fall apart tender.
Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is one of my all time favorite dinner recipes.
I mean, easy crockpot meals of any kind are usually a win, but this one is definitely a crowd pleaser.
Here, we’re all about flavor, and this crock pot pulled pork gets a ton of it from a savory rub, a cup of apple juice that hangs out with the pork loin in the slow cooker (you can take this a variety of different ways for different flavors!), and whatever sweet and smoky delicious BBQ sauce you smother it in afterwards (totally optional! It’s got great flavor as is).
This is one recipe we make over and over again, and it was time to share.
It’s an easy crockpot meal that the whole family adores!
Looking for more crockpot recipes? Try my Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin!
If you’re looking for a crock pot pulled pork recipe that’s got a little more tang, try this Slow Cooker Honey Balsamic Pulled Pork — another one of our favorites!
Reasons to love this Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe:
- dump and go — no babysitting or adding things half way through! Perfect for long work days.
- 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.
- It makes a ton, so you can include it in your weekend meal prep and use it in different ways all week long, or save some in the freezer.
- It’s just as good for a summer barbecue as it is for a cozy winter meal
What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?
I always, always use a boneless pork loin for pulled pork, and there are a few different reasons.
It’s an easy-to-cook, fairly lean cut of meat so I 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.
I know that many prefer to use pork shoulder. The pork shoulder is high in fat which will make a very juicy pulled pork and it is another great option.
The best meat for pulled pork really depends on your preferences: I tend to prefer leaner, boneless cuts of meat (I don’t want my pulled pork too fatty), and some others prefer more fat for more juiciness.
Either way this pulled pork recipe is going to be tender, juicy and delicious after a long, slow cooker!
Variations on this Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe:
- Mix up the liquid and 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!
- Once it’s shredded, mix it up with your favorite barbecue sauce and serve it on sandwich buns.
- Try tossing it in buffalo sauce for a pork-y twist on buffalo chicken — great for game day sandwiches!
- Stir in some honey garlic sauce and serve with rice or noodles.
What to do with leftover pulled pork:
- Freeze it! It freezer perfectly for up to 3-4 months in a heavy duty freezer bag or freezer container.
- Make pizza
- Make tacos
- Serve it up in a grilled cheese sandwich
- Stir it into pasta or soup
- The options are endless!
What to serve with slow cooker pulled pork:
Honestly, we usually eat this alone with some buns and maybe some pickles and chips, but here are a few great side options that go well with pulled pork:
Crock Pot Pulled Pork
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 4 lb boneless pork loin 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
- 1/2 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.
Nutrition Information
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Michelle says
This has become my favorite pulled pork recipe. It’s easy to throw together and just falls apart. The pork and great flavor and is very versatile! Thanks for posting!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Michelle! I’m so happy to hear that!
Aimee May says
I have a 2 lb pork loin – should I adjust the time?
Ashley Fehr says
You likely won’t need quite as long! I would do maybe 6 hours-8 hours, depending how thick it is
Abigail says
What kind of barbecue sauce do you recommend?
Ashley Fehr says
Sweet Baby Ray’s is our family favorite!
Anne says
Just made this for Independence Day celebration (July 4, 2019) Everyone loved it! Definitely a keeper!
Amy A says
Pork loin isn’t a great choice for pulled pork. You need something with a lot of fat and collagen. It all breaks down over the several hours of cooking to make the pork really tender and juicy. Using a lean piece of meat (or trimming a fatty one) will most often leave you with rubber that doesn’t shred like a fatty piece would.
Ashley Fehr says
Lots of people use pork shoulder, but I prefer pork loin. I’ve never had a problem with it not being tender and juicy, especially when we’re using the slow cooker. And I have had some pork loins with a significant fat cap.
Anne says
I also used a pork loin when I made it today. It was so good. (I used a crock pot)
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Anne! I’m so glad to hear that!
BLACKJACK13@hotmail.com says
I used a pork loin roast as suggested. It worked out very well. A room full of hungry 25 year olds who came back for seconds and were effusive in their praise. Choose your BBQ sauce wisely for the finish and you can’t miss
Ashley Fehr says
I’m happy to hear that!
Olga says
Can I use sugar free soda ?
Ashley Fehr says
Definitely!
Max says
There is a lot of juice leftover in my crockpot. Is this normal? After shredding the meat, do I return it back to the juices then add the bbq sauce?
Ashley Fehr says
I usually add some of the juices back in, just as much as the meat will soak up, and then drain the rest and add barbecue sauce. It’s normal to have quite a bit of liquid!
Allie says
I was wondering if you could cook this recipe on high instead of low?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! I usually figure about half as much time on high. Low is my preferred way, but high will work fine
Mandy Hebert says
Call I cook this on high for just a little bit to speed up the process?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! I generally figure about half of the cook time on high
Mary Zimmerman says
What would you cook this on if you wanted to cook it on high?
Ashley Fehr says
On high I usually halve the cook time
Rachel says
Don’t have apple juice what kind of soda can I use
Coke or club soda or ginger ale? Thank you
Ashley Fehr says
You can definitely use either of those and it will work just fine!
Laurie J Davis says
I want to try this recipe…But I bought the boneless Boston Butts before I found it. Any tweaks I need to know about? I plan to trim it anyway.
Becky Hardin says
Pulled pork is the best!!!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes! Thanks Becky!
Cyd says
I just love a good crock pot recipe! My kids love this pulled pork!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Cyd! Us too!
Melissa says
So delicious and so tender! Thank you!
Ashley Fehr says
THanks Melissa!
Beth Pierce says
Made this for dinner last night and everyone loved all the flavor! We made sandwiches and had smiling faces all around the dinner table!
Ashley Fehr says
THanks Beth! It’s one of our favorites too!
Chelsea says
This pulled pork is seriously amazing!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Ashley Fehr says
THanks Chelsea! I’m so happy to hear that!
Julie says
It says “toss in remaining juices” Which juices? More of the apple juice? Am I missing something?
Ashley Fehr says
Just the juices that are left in the crockpot — there will be quite a bit of liquid remaining. This keeps it juicy!
Lindsey says
When you say seasoning salt do you mean a seasoned salt like Lawry’s? Or big granular salt like Kosher Salt. Looking forward to trying this!
Ashley Fehr says
I use Lawry’s!
Jocelyn says
This is so good that we never have leftovers!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad to hear that!
Natasha says
Oh boy do I love a good pulled pork sandwich! The crock pot looks like it would make this so easy!!
Ashley Fehr says
It definitely does!
Anna says
I love how easy this pulled pork is to make! Everyone loved it and I can’t wait to make it again.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Anna!
Jamie says
This is our go-to recipe! It’s so easy and delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jamie!
Stephanie says
This pulled pork recipe is the best! Can’t wait to make it again!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Stephanie!
Emily says
Have you tried this in instant pot? Any thoughts on how long to cook it?
Ashley Fehr says
For a pork roast or loin in the Instant Pot I usually cut into 1 lb chunks and cook for 45-70 minutes.