Tender Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Pulled Pork for Perfect BBQ
A simple and forgiving slow cooker pulled pork recipe using just five ingredients, delivering tender, juicy, and flavorful BBQ pork with minimal prep and fuss.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours (low) or 4-6 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes to 10 hours 10 minutes (low) or 4 hours 10 minutes to 6 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 cup (240 ml) barbecue sauce (tangy and not too sweet)
- Salt and pepper to taste (about 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper, optional)
Instructions
- Trim the pork shoulder by removing any large excess fat, leaving some fat for moisture and flavor. Pat dry with paper towels. (5 minutes)
- Sprinkle garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper evenly over the pork. Rub the spices in with your hands for full coverage. (5 minutes)
- Spread the sliced onions evenly at the bottom of the slow cooker. (2 minutes)
- Place the seasoned pork shoulder on top of the onions, fat side up. (1 minute)
- Pour the barbecue sauce all over the pork, covering the sides. Do not stir. (2 minutes)
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–6 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
- Carefully remove the pork and shred it using two forks or fingers into bite-sized pieces. Mix shredded pork with cooking juices and onions. (5–10 minutes)
- Taste and adjust seasoning with extra BBQ sauce, salt, or pepper if needed. Add a splash of cooking juices if dry.
- Optional: For a crispy finish, spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully.
Notes
Do not rush the cooking process; low and slow yields the best tender pork. Optional broiling adds crispiness. Use a low-sugar or gluten-free BBQ sauce for dietary needs. Pork loin is not recommended due to leanness. Searing before slow cooking is optional but adds flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 oz (113 g) o
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, pulled pork recipe, BBQ pulled pork, easy pulled pork, 5-ingredient pulled pork, crockpot pork, tender pork shoulder