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
Want to save this recipe?
Create an account easily save your favorite content, so you never forget a recipe again.
Tried this recipe?
Tag @thereciperebel or hashtag #thereciperebel —
I love to see what you’re making!
Tag @thereciperebel
Cory says
Could so cook this on high for a shorter time? Or would it not be as good and tender?
Cory says
*Could YOU* I meant. Lol.
Julie says
I just cooked this for the first time yesterday on high to speed it along & it was delicious!
Patricia says
I love this recipe! I made it twice, first time with apple juice and second with Root Beer. I think it actually got better with the root beer. One thing I was wondering is if anyone has tried this recipe with chicken instead of beef? I might try it and cut down the cooking time.
Patricia says
And by beef I mean pork lol
emily b says
You can make shredded chicken super easy in the crockpot. Place 1 pkg chicken with chicken broth approx 32oz (enough to submerge), season as you like, cook on low for 6-8hrs or on high for 4, shred, serve on buns with mayo or bbq. You can reuse chicken for enchiladas, tacos, salads, buffalo chicken dips. So yummy!
Ashley Fehr says
I think chicken would be great! Yes, definitely a lower cook time. Let me know how it goes!
Brian Werness says
I have orange soda. How would that work?
Ashley Fehr says
I’m sure it will work but will definitely alter the flavor.
Arlene Northway says
This was absolutely delicious! So easy to prepare! I had a 7.5 pound pork butt and was afraid it might not cook all the way through. After 10 hours it was incredibly tender! What a relief!! I will definitely make this recipe my go-to for pork butt. I did double the apple juice and all the spices since the meat was almost double what was listed. Yum!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Arlene! And thank you for coming back to leave a comment!
Robin Dinsmore says
Question – Do I have ti put in the BBQ sauce to cook this dish? Is the Apple juice enough liquid to cook it?
Thank you.
Robin
Ashley Fehr says
The barbecue sauce is optional and would be added after cooking.
Margarita says
I have loved all the recipes from Ashley … and this one failed me. It’s obviously a user problem, I tried doing it in the instapot on the slow cooker option on low for 8 hrs. Turns out that doesn’t work … it was super hard I could hardly out the fork in. Well that was a wasted piece of meat 😔 will try the actual slow cooker next time. just a note for anyone that may want to try this …
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks for the tip! I have heard that the slow cooker setting on the Instant Pot is terrible, so I’ve actually never tried it!
Jen says
My new favorite pulled pork recipe! It is perfect to throw in the crock pot before work and I was worried about the tenderness and it was FABULOUS. I couldnt even take it out of the crock pot because it just fell apart.
Ashley Fehr says
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Eva says
I don’t have a crockpot, how can I cook this using a stockpot?
Eva says
I meant
How can I cook this on the stove? Or even oven?
Ashley Fehr says
I’ve never cooked this in the oven unfortunately — I would take a look at oven roasted pulled pork and see the time and temperature that most require, and this seasoning blend would be great on it.
Daniel says
I’m going to make this later and halve the time on high heat. Should i use no stick cooking spray before i put anything in?
Ashley Fehr says
You can, but I don’t find it necessary
Deena says
How about beer (pilsner) instead of apple juice?
Ashley Fehr says
You definitely can!
Casey says
What about apple cider…???
Ashley Fehr says
I think that would be delicious!
Shaileen says
I had all the ingredients except for apple juice or any soda, so I just used water, i guess I’ll find out if it tastes good or not ?
Ashley Fehr says
It should be fine! Even chicken broth or vegetable would be a great addition
LonnieAnn says
This sounds seriously delicious and so easy. Question….if I make this on Saturday, can I drain the juices, pour a little back in the crock put, refrigerate it and then take it to a party Sunday? I was thinking I could pour the BBQ sauce over the pork in the morning and take the crock pot with me to the party and plug it in long enough to heat through.
Thanks
Carly says
I wouldn’t drain the juices! That’s a big part of flavour.
With other pulled pork I have done, I’ve put it in the fridge over night And then back in the crockpot the next day on high just until it warmed up. Then I would add the bbq sauce!
Stephanie says
Do you take the meat out to shred it?
Ashley Fehr says
I do if I have a lot of fat I need to trim, but if it’s pretty lean you can shred it right in the juices
Karen Wilkes says
Made this yesterday. Used pineapple juice instead of apple juice. My husband said it was the best pulled pork sandwich he’d ever had. Delicious!
Ashley Fehr says
It makes me so happy to hear that Karen!
Kirsten says
In place of apple juice, has anyone used apple cider vinegar?
Ashley Fehr says
You will not want to replace the apple juice with cider vinegar, unless you really like the taste of vinegar. A little would be fine though
Nancy says
I only have a mountain dew or a a&wcan I use one of those
Ashley Fehr says
I think root beer would be great!
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!