Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe is perfect for a delicious meal without the fuss. With a pork loin and some pantry staples like beer, brown sugar, and soy sauce, you’re set to make something that’s not just yummy but also super simple to pull off. Perfect for any day of the week!
Why You Will Love Making Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Let’s get into why this slow cooker pulled pork will be a new fav in your kitchen:
- No Fuss, No Rush: Toss it in the slow cooker and let time do its thing. No need to babysit this dish.
- Flavorful: The combo of beer, brown sugar, and spices turns the pork into a flavor bomb.
- Versatile: Serve it on buns, tacos, or nachos. It’s a crowd-pleaser, however you dish it out.
- Leftovers are Great: It’s even better the next day, making your meal prep a breeze.
- Everyone Can Help: It’s so easy, you can get the kids involved in the prep or shredding. Make it a family cooking affair!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Getting this slow cooker pulled pork ready is a walk in the park. Here’s how to do it:
Prep the Pork
Pop your pork loin roast into the slow cooker, and then drizzle olive oil over it. Sprinkle brown sugar, add mustard, and pour in soy sauce. Toss in bay leaves, pour in the black beer, and then season with salt and pepper.
Cook, Shred and Reduce
Lid on, set to low, and give it 6 hours. After it’s finished cooking, you’ll find the pork shreds really easily. Shred the pork right in the pot with two forks. It’ll be tender and ready to fall apart. Leave it uncovered and cook a bit more to thicken the liquid and juices.
Serve & Enjoy
Grab some buns or rolls and pile them high with pulled pork. You can also get creative with pork tacos, nachos, or whatever floats your boat.
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
Here’s a few tips to make your pulled pork the talk of the table:
- Pork Cut: While we love pork loin for being leaner, a pork shoulder or pork butt (Boston butt) can be juicier and even more flavorful due to its fat content. Pick your cut based on your preference!
- Beer Choice: Dark beer adds a unique depth, but feel free to experiment with different types. A good ale or even root beer can be sweet and delicious.
- How do I know when the pork is ready to shred? It should be very tender to the touch and easily pull apart with forks. If it’s resisting, give it a bit more time.
- Shredding Hack: Two forks do the job, but if you’re in a rush, electric hand mixers can shred meat in seconds. Just be careful not to overdo it!
- Season to Taste: After shredding, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sometimes a little extra salt, pepper, or brown sugar can really make the flavors pop. You can also add a little barbecue sauce for a flavor boost.
- Make It Your Own: Feel free to add other spices or ingredients according to your taste. Garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, chili powder for heat, or a splash of apple cider vinegar can add more layers of flavor.
How to Store Leftover Pulled Pork
Pulled pork makes great leftovers! Here’s how to store them:
- Cool & Airtight: Let your pulled pork cool to room temperature, and then pop the pork in an airtight container.
- Fridge: It’ll stay good in the fridge for up to three days.
- Freeze: Frozen pulled pork can last up to three months. Just make sure it’s in a freezer-safe container.
- Reheat: When you’re ready for round two, you can warm it up in the microwave, stovetop, or oven. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it from drying out.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Making delicious slow cooker pulled pork doesn’t have to be expensive. Here’s how to save some green while cooking up this hearty dish:
- Generic is A-Okay: Brand names? Forget ’em for most ingredients. Store brands of soy sauce, mustard, and spices work just as well.
- Beer Alternatives: If you don’t have dark beer on hand, use what you’ve got. Even non-alcoholic options or chicken broth can work wonders.
- Cook in Bulk: Making a big batch doesn’t cost much more and means you’ve got meals for days.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Wondering what to pair with your pulled pork? Here are some top picks that complement its rich flavors perfectly:
Classic Sides
Nothing beats the classic combo of pulled pork and some comforting sides. Whip up a batch of creamy potato salad, crunchy coleslaw, mac and cheese, tangy baked beans, or sweet corn on the cob. These simple sides are perfect for any crowd!
Buns, Tortillas or Chips
Stuff that saucy pork into a soft bun for the best pulled pork sandwich ever, or wrap it up in a tortilla for a cool taco night. And if you’re all about the crunch, chips are your go-to for epic pork nachos, piled high with meat, bbq sauce, and melty cheese. Each one brings its own fun texture, making your pulled pork meal super versatile and downright delicious.
More Comforting Dinner Recipes You Will Love
- Oven Baked Ribs Recipe
- Tuna Casserole Recipe
- Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara Recipe
- Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
- Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta Recipe
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork loin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup mustard
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 can black beer such as Porter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, place the pork loin. Add olive oil, brown sugar, mustard, soy sauce, bay leaves, black beer, salt, and pepper.2 pounds pork loin, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup mustard, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 bay leaves, 1 can black beer, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Cover with a lid and cook on the low setting for 6 hours.
- After 6 hours, remove the lid. Using two forks, shred the pork directly in the slow cooker. Leave the shredded pork uncovered and continue cooking for 30-45 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Once ready, serve the shredded pork on buns or rolls.
Notes
- Pork Cut: While we love pork loin for being leaner, a pork shoulder or pork butt (Boston butt) can be juicier and even more flavorful due to its fat content. Pick your cut based on your preference!
- Beer Choice: Dark beer adds a unique depth, but feel free to experiment with different types. A good ale or even root beer can be sweet and delicious.
- How do I know when the pork is ready to shred? It should be very tender to the touch and easily pull apart with forks. If it’s resisting, give it a bit more time.
- Shredding Hack: Two forks do the job, but if you’re in a rush, electric hand mixers can shred meat in seconds. Just be careful not to overdo it!
- Season to Taste: After shredding, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sometimes a little extra salt, pepper, or brown sugar can really make the flavors pop. You can also add a little barbecue sauce for a flavor boost.
- Make It Your Own: Feel free to add other spices or ingredients according to your taste. Garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, chili powder for heat, or a splash of apple cider vinegar can add more layers of flavor.
Storage & Reheating
- Cool & Airtight: Let your pulled pork cool to room temperature, and then pop the pork in an airtight container.
- Fridge: It’ll stay good in the fridge for up to three days.
- Freeze: Frozen pulled pork can last up to three months. Just make sure it’s in a freezer-safe container.
- Reheat: When you’re ready for round two, you can warm it up in the microwave, stovetop, or oven. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it from drying out.
