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Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork

Main Course Slow Cooker Recipes

This Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork is made with just a few ingredients, almost no prep work, and makes the most delicious meal!

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork garnished with fresh parsley in white bowl

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork

Summer is in full swing, barbeque season is here, and the days feel like they’ll never end. I love this time of year, don’t you? I am especially excited for the 4th of July! Not only does it fall on a Friday (which means a shortened work week for me), but it’s also a great way to start the weekend!

I’m also looking forward to enjoying some delicious food over the weekend. Burgers and hot dogs will always be classic summer staples to me, but one other dish that I always associate with the season is barbecue pulled pork. Though it’s not something that you just throw onto the grill like a burger, it sure does taste delicious on those hot summer days.

And because I plan on eating some tasty BBQ food over the holiday weekend, I wanted to share my Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork recipe with you. I make it in the slow cooker so that it doesn’t heat up the house, and because it’s just so delicious that way! And guess what? It’s just five simple ingredients. That’s it!

Hardly any prep time, either. So you can throw this pork in the slow cooker, enjoy the summer weather, and pop back into the house when it’s almost finished.

overhead view of bowl of Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork

This is one of my favorite recipes that I make, and the hubster whole-heartedly agrees. In fact, he often requests that I make this slow cooker barbecue pork, which means it’s definitely a winner! BBQ + pork = summer amazingness!

My secret ingredient (or probably not-so secret since I’m sure you’ve heard of this before) is root beer.

Yes, you read that right. Root beer marinates the pork for most of the duration of the cooking process, making the pork incredibly moist, tender, and all-around delicious. The root beer brand isn’t as important as the barbecue sauce, though. I usually just use a store brand bottle of root beer, because you will end up draining the liquid towards the end.

And don’t worry about ending up with pork tasting like root beer. Although it adds a slight tang, it doesn’t take like the soda. Now you’re intrigued, right? I told you this pork is good!

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork in white bowl

Barbecue Pulled Pork Ingredients 

Here’s all you’ll need to make this bbq pulled pork recipe in the slow cooker: 

  • Pork roast
  • Garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Root beer
  • Barbecue sauce

How to Make Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork

Did I mention how incredibly easy this barbecue pulled pork recipe is to prepare? So easy, guys!

  1. Season your pork with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. After the pork is seasoned, place it in the slow cooker. Add enough root beer to cover the pork about ¾ up the sides.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 5 ½ hours, or on high for 3 ½ hours.
  4. When the timer rings, drain the root beer from the slow cooker and place the pork on a cutting board.
  5. Now it’s time to shred! I use two forks to shred the pork, but use whatever you think would be easiest.
  6. After the pork is shredded, return to the slow cooker.
  7. Add in the barbecue sauce, mix well, cover, and then cook for another half hour. And that’s it!

Have some toasty buns ready to go and you’ve got yourself a delicious pulled pork sandwich waiting for you. This tastes delicious for leftovers, too. Definitely a perfect summer (or anytime) meal in our house!

Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork in white bowl

What’s the Best Pork for Pulled Pork? 

I have made this slow cooker barbecue pulled pork with several different cuts of meat, but I find that the boston butt works the best. It’s less fatty, meatier, and tastier that other cuts. But if you have pork shoulder or spare ribs, those work just as well. 

I usually buy a 2.5 pound cut, which feeds the hubster and I for dinner, plus another two servings for leftovers later in the week.

Can I Freeze Barbecue Pulled Pork? 

Very easily! Be sure to seal it tightly in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. To thaw, place in your fridge overnight. 

subscribe to my youtube channel to see how easy this recipe is to make!

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

It’s important that you use a good barbecue sauce to make this slow cooker pulled pork with root beer , because you want it smothered in the tastiest stuff you can find! My go-to sauce is (and will always be) Sweet Baby Ray’s. Man, I love that sauce! So delicious! But use whatever sauce is your favorite kind.

Skip the garlic powder if you don’t like it, but if you’ve been hanging around here long enough, you know that I absolutely love garlic! So for me, it’s a necessary seasoning!

Lastly, don’t bother trimming the fat from the pork. I made the mistake when I first made this barbecue pork (years ago) and it took me forever to trim! Little did I know that because the pork will become tender, the fat will just tear away when it’s time to shred. So learn from my mistake and don’t trim the fat before it’s cooked! Trust me!

Looking for more slow cooker recipes? I’ve got you covered!

Moist, tender, and full of flavor, this Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork makes a tasty sandwich or delicious entree when made in the slow cooker!
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Slow Cooker Barbeque Pulled Pork

This Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork is made with just a few ingredients, almost no prep work, and makes the most delicious meal!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword barbecue pork recipe, pulled pork recipe, slow cooker recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 447kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2½ pounds Boston butt pork roast (pork shoulder or spare ribs works well, too)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups root beer soda
  • 4-5 cups barbecue sauce (any kind)

Instructions

  • Line slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or lightly grease with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Season pork on both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place pork into slow cooker. Pour root beer over pork, ensuring that it covers pork ¾ of the way up sides.
  • Cover and cook on low for 5 ½ hours or on high for 3 ½ hours.
  • After pork is cooked, remove from slow cooker and place onto cutting board. Shred pork using two forks. Discard any fat.
  • Drain root beer from slow cooker and place shredded pork back into it. Pour barbecue sauce over pork and mix well. Cover and cook on low for another half hour. Serve on toasty buns, if desired.

Notes

  • I found that the boston butt cut of pork works best for this recipe, but pork shoulder or spare ribs will work just as well.
  • I used Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, but any kind will do. Just be sure to pick a kind that you like, as this will make or break the taste of your pork!
  • The brand of root beer doesn't matter, as you will end up draining all of the liquid from the pork when it’s finished cooking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 447kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 1734mg | Potassium: 762mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @pumpkin_n_spice or tag #pumpkin_n_spice!

By Gayle |

Comments

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Jessica! Sounds like your husband would love this! I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July, too!

      Reply

  4. Isadora @ She Likes Food says

    This looks amazing! I have eaten a ton of pulled pork, I went to school in North Carolina and they have some of the best, but I have only made my own once before. It was so good and I love having tons of leftovers, you are reminding me that I really should make it more often! I would love to have one of these sandwiches on the 4th 🙂

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Isn’t pulled pork the best? This is a quick, easy, and tasty way to make pulled pork…it’s definitely my favorite!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      The root beer may sound a bit odd, but it really does work! And the slow cooker makes it so tender and delicious!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      That’s a great idea to try this with chicken, Samina! It would have the same effect, and make it extra delicious!

      Reply

  7. Annie @Maebells says

    Don’t you love your slow cooker?! I actually think I use it more in the summer than in the winter just so I don’t have to heat up the house! This looks soooo good! We love BBQ!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      I adore my slow cooker…it’s probably my favorite appliance I own! I think you would love this pork if you tried it, Annie! So quick, easy, and delicious!

      Reply

    • Gayle says

      Thanks, Tom! The root beer definitely makes the pork extra tender and gives it a nice added touch, without tasting like root beer!

      Reply

  12. Ashley says

    Oh gosh I so agree – BBQ pulled pork (or even chicken) is such a summer food in my mind (even though I definitely eat it all year round! haha!). This looks awesome!

    Reply

  14. marcie says

    Oh, wow, root beer? This sounds so good! I love pulled pork, and this sounds like a great way to change it up. My oldest son would especially be in heaven!

    Reply

    • Gayle says

      Sounds like this would be a perfect meal for your son! The root beer doesn’t add much flavor, but does make the pork tender and delicious!

      Reply

  15. Blair says

    Oh, yum! Root beer barbecue! Pork bbq is one of the best meals to come out of a Crock Pot, and your version sounds delicious. Perfect for a busy weeknight!

    Reply

  17. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    Pulled pork is a favourite around here, especially this time of year! Never had with root beer before. Bet it adds a lovely sweetness. This looks amazing and awesome video! Pinned! Hope you have a fantastic week, my friend 🙂

    Reply

  24. Brian Hebert says

    5 stars
    I have a 9 lb. pork shoulder butt which has the bone in. . I used your seasoning and it is smelling good. My question is : Is it okay to cook it in the crockpot with the bone in and doesit alter the cooking time!?

    Reply

  26. Elliott says

    5 stars
    Great! I just finished it last night and the result was unexpected, My wife loves it. She got surprised. Yeah. I am going to try this for my friends too. Nice. Thanks for your guide.

    Reply

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