slow-cooker pulled pork with barbecue sauce

Here’s a tender, no-fuss slow-cooker pulled pork with barbecue sauce—perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or meal prep. It’s flavorful without being spicy, and it works well with store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork with Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients

• 1.8–2.2 kg (4–5 lb) pork shoulder / pork butt

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp ground cumin (optional)

• 1 cup barbecue sauce (plus extra to serve)

• ½ cup chicken stock or apple juice

• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Season the pork
   Pat the pork dry. Rub all over with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin.

2. Load the slow cooker
   Place pork in the slow cooker.
   Pour in stock (or apple juice) and vinegar.
   Spoon barbecue sauce over the top and sprinkle with brown sugar if using.

3. Cook low and slow

   • LOW: 8–10 hours

   • HIGH: 4–5 hours
     Cook until the pork is very tender and pulls apart easily.

4. Shred the pork
   Remove pork to a board and shred with two forks, discarding excess fat.

5. Sauce it up
   Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid if needed.
   Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir into the sauce.
   Cook 15–30 minutes more on LOW to soak up flavor.

6. Serve
   Taste and adjust with more BBQ sauce, salt, or vinegar if needed.

Serving Ideas

• Pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw

• Tacos or burritos

• Loaded baked potatoes

• Over rice or mac and cheese

Tips for Best Results

• Pork shoulder is ideal—don’t substitute lean cuts

• Keep the lid closed during cooking

• For caramelized edges, spread pork on a tray and grill/broil 5–10 minutes after shredding

Variations

• Sweet & smoky: Add 1–2 tbsp maple syrup

• Spicy: Add chili powder or hot sauce

• No-sugar: Use a sugar-free BBQ sauce

• Freezer-friendly: Freeze cooked pulled pork in portions for up to 3 months