BBQ Pulled Pork
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BBQ pulled pork is a classic American dish for good reason: rich and smoky BBQ flavors meld into the fall-apart tender strands of slow cooked pulled pork. The result is succulent, saucy pork that you can use in countless recipes! It's super quick and simple to do: make an easy spice rub, put your pork in the slow cooker with BBQ sauce, and come back when your kitchen smells like a bustling smokehouse!
If you love comfort food that's this easy to make, then add a fiery twist to your pulled pork with this Korean pulled pork recipe!
This foolproof BBQ pulled pork recipe makes the most delicious, savory, succulent, and tender pulled pork, every time! With just a handful of ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can whip up a feast of rich, smoky meat for dinner that's sure to be a family favorite.
It's the perfect solution to bring ease when you're entertaining, and it tastes great in a variety of recipes. Make a big batch and enjoy your BBQ pulled pork in different recipes all week long.
Ingredients notes
You only need a handful of ingredients for this slow cooker BBQ pulled pork. Get some pork, broth, BBQ sauce, and a few staple spices ā that's it! Gather these items:
- Pork: Get a hunk of boneless pork butt, also called pork shoulder or boston butt.
- Other ingredients: BBQ sauce, stock, brown sugar (can use coconut sugar), smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt.
How to make BBQ pulled pork
Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting for you ā this recipe takes just 10 minutes of hands-on time, then walk away and come back when the house starts smelling amazing! This is how it's done:
- Spice rub: Mix all the spices in a small bowl to make a flavorful rub!
- Slow cooker pork: Remove the butcher twine and generously coat the pork with the spice rub. Put it in the slow cooker, pour the BBQ sauce and broth over the top, and set the slow cooker.
- Finish: Return after several hours! Transfer your pork to a large bowl, pouring all the juices into a pot. Set the pot to boil and shred your pork with two forks while you wait for the juices to reduce. Once done, pour the sauce over the shredded pork and enjoy!
What cut of pork to use for pulled pork
There are lots of cuts of pork out there, but for pulled pork, you want a piece of meat that will slowly break down to become tender and succulent after being slow-cooked. Pork shoulder is the cut to go for! It's also referred to as pork butt or boston butt, but despite the references to the rear, it's actually from the upper part of the pig's front shoulder.
This cut of pork is ideal because it's beautifully marbled with fat, making it juicy and flavorful when slow-cooked. While some prefer the bone-in variety for added flavor, boneless pork is more convenient for shredding after cooking and fits better in a slow cooker. If you've opted for bone-in pork, be careful to remove all bone pieces before shredding with your forks.
While some may consider using pork loin due to its leanness, it's not ideal for this recipe. Its lower fat content can result in less juiciness and a tendency to dry out easily.
If you've got pork chops in the freezer, take them out to make our baked pork chops recipe. It's the most popular recipe on our site!
How to shred a pork shoulder
The first thing to check is that your pork shoulder is ready to be shredded. You'll know by simply using some tongs: the meat will be so tender that if you try to pick it up with the tongs, the fibers will start caving in under gentle pressure. If it seems like it's not tender enough, you can check with an instant-read meat thermometer. It should reach an internal temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit when it's ready to be shredded.
If it's ready, use the tongs to remove it to a bowl and let it rest for 15 minutes or so. This will allow the juices to redistribute, making the meat even more tender. You can cover the bowl with foil to retain the heat while it rests, but don't worry about it getting coldāyou don't want to eat pork that's 205 degrees Fahrenheit!
If you used bone-in pork, you'll want to remove the bone before you start shredding. Take two forks and begin shredding, holding the pork with one fork and pulling the meat in the opposite direction with the other. It should shred easily! You can also get meat claws, but forks work just as well.
Make your own BBQ sauce
Storebought BBQ sauce will work just fine, but the flavor of this homemade BBQ sauce for pulled pork will take this dish to the next level. It's a BBQ sauce recipe specially made with pulled pork in mind! Simply place ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, molasses, worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, dijon mustard, garlic powder, chili powder, and onion powder in a pot, stir everything together, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat so it gently bubbles away and cook until it reduces down.
We also have a homemade bourbon BBQ sauce recipe! It's similar to the above, but with a little hit of bourbon!
What to serve with bbq pulled pork
Wondering how to serve your BBQ pulled pork or what to do with leftover BBQ pulled pork? This delicious, savory dish is super versatile, so you can use it in a variety of recipes. Here are some of our top picks:
- Pulled Pork Tacos: Warm up some tortillas and spoon on some BBQ pulled pork, guacamole, pico de gallo, and fresh cilantro.
- Burritos: Wrap BBQ pulled pork up with some rice, beans, cheese, salsa, and chopped tomato for a satisfying BBQ pork burrito!
- Southern plate: Enjoy a southern style feast by serving your BBQ pulled pork on a plate alongside mac and cheese, broccoli coleslaw, sauteed green beans, corn on the cob, and cornbread muffins.
- Breakfast time: Make a BBQ pulled pork hash to go next to your scrambled eggs, or better yet, a BBQ pulled pork eggs benedict! Warm your english muffin, spread some pulled pork, top it off with the poached egg and hollandaise and you'll be smiling all day.
- Mac and cheese: Speaking of mac and cheese, stir the BBQ pulled pork through a bowl for cheesy pasta for a savory twist.
- Nachos: Create BBQ pulled pork nachos by layering corn chips with pork, diced tomatoes, grated cheddar, then broil until bubbly. Serve with salsa and sour cream.
- Jacket potatoes: Top baked potatoes off with BBQ pulled pork, sour cream, grated cheddar, and sliced onions.
- Pizza: Lay out a pizza dough, slather it with pizza sauce, and add pulled pork, sliced onion and peppers, and cheese!
- Lettuce wraps: Enjoy a light and crunchy bite by spooning BBQ pulled pork onto lettuce leaves, adding toppings like avocado slices and diced tomatoes, then wrapping it up.
- Pulled Pork Chili:Ā Make a warming chili with your BBQ pulled pork, using it in place of the ground meat.
- Burgers: For the easiest way to feed everyone at a large gathering, throw some buns and slaw next to a big bowl of BBQ pulled pork and let everyone help themselves to pulled pork sandwiches for a fuss free dinner! It'll become your go-to for entertaining.
- Pulled pork shepherd's pie: Fill a baking dish with pulled pork, adding some diced carrots, peas, and corn in there. Pile some mashed potato on top, and bake it to perfection!
- Pulled Pork Enchiladas: Mix your leftovers with some select veggies and cheese, wrap it up in a tortilla, and slather it with BBQ enchilada sauce and cheese for some hickory-good enchiladas!
Recipe FAQs
How do I store leftover pulled pork?
This stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Leftovers freeze and reheat really well ā thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Which stock should I use for slow cooker pork?
You can use chicken broth, beef, or vegetable stock for this recipe. You can either make your own homemade chicken stock or use a store-bought one.
Can I make BBQ pulled pork in the oven?
You can! Low and slow is the best method for cooking pulled pork. Put the pork and liquids in a pot, cover it with a lid or foil, and keep your oven at around 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 6 hours, depending on the size of your pork. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much pulled pork per person when entertaining?
When gauging how much pulled pork to make per person at your gathering, you'll want to consider how you're serving it, as the appropriate amount per person will depend on what else is on offer. Generally, aim for around ā to Ā½ lb per person ā if you're serving your pulled pork in hearty and filling dishes, like a burrito or pizza, sticking closer to ā lb per person works well. However, if your pulled pork is the star of the show, on top of some mash and next to a light salad, you'll want closer to Ā½ lb per person.
More pulled pork recipes
BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 3-4 lb boneless pork butt (or 4-5 lb bone-in)
- 1 Ā½ cups bbq sauce
- 1 cup broth
Spice Rub
- Ā¼ cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt
Instructions
- Start by mixing the spice rub ingredients together in a small bowl.2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt, Ā¼ cup brown sugar
- Remove the butcher twine from the pork and then cover it with the spices, working it into all the nooks and crannies.1 3-4 lb boneless pork butt
- Place the pork in a slow cooker and add any remaining spices. Pour the BBQ sauce and broth into the slow cooker, cover with the lid, and turn the slow cooker on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.1 Ā½ cups bbq sauce, 1 cup broth
- Remove the pork from the pot and put it into a large bowl. Pour the juices into a medium-sized pot. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat and continue to boil until the juices reduce to the thickness of BBQ sauce. Spoon the fat out and discard it.
- Shred the pork using two forks and then pour the reduced sauce over the pork and mix well.
- Serve the BBQ pulled pork in a sandwich, taco, burrito, or with mashed potatoes, or any other way you'd like!
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our dinner ideas!
What type of broth did you use? Vegetable, chicken or beef?
We’ve made this with both chicken and beef broth and it turns out great with either.
Can you do this in the oven? What would be the temp and time?
You can definitely braise in the oven instead. 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 hours. Note: I haven’t tested this pulled pork recipe in the oven, but that temp/time is what I would usually aim for with oven braised meats. Please check it after 2 hours and add more stock if the pot looks dry.
I made this yesterday- then made your sandwich with it. It is so incredible. Love that you reduced the cooking sauce. That really made it!