5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork will have everyone convinced you’ve been tending a smoker all day. Instead, your slow cooker does the work, transforming the pork into a tender, juicy dream as it soaks up smoky and savory flavors. All the while, you carry on with your day.

I love how it fills the house with that irresistible, slow-cooked porky aroma that makes your mouth water. It’s AMAZING for sandwiches, tacos, or just piling onto a plate with your favorite sides.

It is my go-to recipe any time of year, but especially for busy weeks or laid-back get-togethers. It’s a a crowd-pleaser for game days, potlucks, or summer barbecues. And it’s still reliable when it gets cold outside. Just pile it on a plate and serve with warm sides. Mmmm!!!

I know you’re excited to make this recipe, but while I have your attention, you might also love our game day pulled pork nachos or our crowd pleasing cilantro lime chicken bowls.

Pin it to your favorite dinner board! ⤵️

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe…
• Ingredients
• How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Equipment
• Storage
• FAQ
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe…

• Let’s face it, we all love recipes that practically cook themselves. It’s CRAZY how this one is! It is as simple as seasoning the pork, tossing it in the slow cooker, and letting it do all the work. I love how I can go about my day while it cooks, and by dinnertime, it’s tender and ready to serve.
• It is soooo versatile! You can pile it onto buns for sandwiches, stuff it into tacos, or serve it over rice or mashed potatoes. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of meals. It works with whatever you’re in the mood for.
• Every time you serve this at a gathering, it will be the first dish to disappear. That’s a guarantee! Whether it’s a family dinner, a casual get-together, or a summer BBQ, people go crazy for it. Talk about a crowd-pleaser.
• It’s easy on your wallet. Pork shoulder is one of the most affordable cuts of meat, but when slow-cooked, it tastes like you splurged on a fancy cut. Plus, you can stretch it into multiple meals, making it even more cost-effective.

Ingredients

Let’s look at the ingredients! I’ll explain if there’s anything important to note. Nothing fancy, just simple ingredients you likely already have.

• Pork shoulder – We recommend catching them on sale and freezing them.
• Liquid smoke – People will think it came off of your smoker
• Onion
• Garlic
• Salt – We almost always use kosher salt.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Season the roast all over with the kosher salt.

Place the roast fat side up in the slow cooker insert, cutting it up as needed to fit.

Pour liquid smoke over the pork and top with the diced onion and minced garlic.

Cover, and cook on Low for 8-10 hours. Shred pork with two forks and enjoy!

Equipment

We made this recipe using the slow cooker function on our Instant Pot multi-cooker.

Storage

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day.

Freezing

If you want to freeze it, portion the pork into freezer bags with a little cooking liquid to keep it moist, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

From the refrigerator, reheat the pulled pork in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of liquid, stirring until warmed through. From the freezer, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm it in a skillet or in the oven at 350°F with a little cooking liquid to keep it moist.

FAQ