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)

Salsa Macha
Bowl of thin red salsa shown drizzled over chicken and vegetables.

Salsa Macha

You will love this pepper-infused oil made with hot peppers, garlic and peanuts. It is delicious drizzled on just about anything and stores well in your refrigerator or freezer.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ cups
Apple Sandwiches
Crispy apple slices with peanut butter and raisin filling are shown on a plate.

Apple Sandwiches

Easy and tasty snack that’s fun and creative for kids to make.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 Servings
Zucchini Stir-Fry
Small bowl with a tender zucchini and vegetable mix.

Zucchini Stir-Fry

Fast veggie stir fry flavored with lots of umami flavor.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Tuna Quesadillas
Plate of tortillas folded over a tuna, vegetable and cheese mix.

Tuna Quesadillas

10-minute lunch idea with sweet peppers and melted cheese.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 Quesadillas
Stovetop Kamut
Cooked kamut in bowls.

Stovetop Kamut

This nutrient-rich grain has a buttery, rich, nutty flavor with a chewy, firm texture.
Prepare:
8 hours
Cook:
60 minutes
Makes:
2 ½ to 3 cups
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Small bowl of spice mix.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Make your own pumpkin pie spice at home that is perfect for flavoring all your favorite fall baked goods.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 Tablespoons
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.