Skip to main content

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This easy Pulled Pork recipe is made with pork shoulder and spices from your pantry. Slow cooking is a simple way to create tender and juicy pork for many different meals.
Plate of tender shredded pork.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 7 to 9 hours
Makes: 5 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

2 teaspoons paprika (smoked or regular) 
2 teaspoons garlic powder 
2 teaspoons dry mustard 
1 teaspoon salt 
¼ cup water  
3-pound boneless pork shoulder roast (see Notes)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. In a small bowl, mix dry spices together.
  3. Rub the spices all over the surface of the roast. If possible, put in a covered container and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
  4. When ready to cook, lightly grease the inside of the slow cooker.
  5. Place the water and roast in the cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours or until the pork shreds easily when pulled with a fork.
  6. Move the pork to a large dish and shred the pork with 2 forks. Remove extra fat.
  7. Pour liquid from the slow cooker into a bowl and cool. Skim the hardened fat from the top. Add remaining juices to the pork.
  8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Pork shoulder roast is also known as pork butt roast.
  • Serve in sandwiches, tacos, quesadillas, on a salad or in a grain bowl. Add your favorite barbeque sauce if desired.
  • Try adding other flavors to the spice mix such as black pepper, chili powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano or cayenne pepper.
  • The pork roast is best cooked slowly on LOW. You can reduce the cooking time by about an hour by cutting the roast in 4 pieces and cooking on HIGH for the first hour, then turn to LOW for the remaining time.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Skillet Corn Chowder
Bowls of creamy corn soup garnished with microgreens.

Skillet Corn Chowder

Only 5 ingredients to make this creamy and comforting chowder.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Mexican Adobo Sauce
Medium bowl of thick, red adobo sauce served with tacos.

Mexican Adobo Sauce

Mexican adobo sauce is an all-purpose marinade made of dried hot peppers, spices and vinegar. This sauce gives big flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Thanks to the OSU Latin Heritage Work Group for this tasty recipe.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Plate of pasta shells filled with pumpkin and cheese filling over red pasta sauce.

Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells

A rich, creamy recipe that combines fall flavors with satisfying pasta.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
12 Filled Shells
Pinto Bean Dip
Bean dip topped with jalapeno peppers served with baby carrots.

Pinto Bean Dip

A quick and easy bean dip that comes together in 5 minutes.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
3 ¼ cups
Whole-Wheat Bread in a Bag
Slices of whole-wheat and oat bread.

Whole-Wheat Bread in a Bag

Enjoy this fun and unique way to make warm whole-wheat yeast bread. Kids will love mixing and kneading the dough in a bag.
Prepare:
2 ½ to 3 hours
Cook:
30 to 40 minutes
Makes:
16 slices
Roasted Parsnips and Carrots
Bowl of golden, tender carrot and parsnip sticks.

Roasted Parsnips and Carrots

Roasted parsnips and carrots are a tasty way to enjoy root vegetables.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups