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Cooking this pork slowly combined with strong seasonings results in a tender and juicy, fall-apart pulled pork recipe. This Easy Slow Cooker Pulled pork is simple to prepare and makes delicious sandwiches.
If you love easy pork recipes then be sure to try these oven-baked ribs.
Best Ever Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
No southern church picnic, company party, or backyard barbecue was complete without several aluminum pans filled with different versions of pulled pork. Some came with a tangy vinegar sauce others were more a fatty version, all of which were delicious. Some of my best memories are surrounded by meals including pulled pork as the essential main ingredient.
There are many ways, some claiming to be better than others, to prepare but the best pulled pork recipe is always, in my opinion, the one that’s easiest. This easy slow cooker pulled pork is juicy and flavorful with a fall-apart tenderness to the meat. There are just as many ways to serve this southern staple as there is to make it, but again, I think the best and most simple is to make barbecue pulled pork sandwiches.
Easy Pulled Pork Rub
Making a dry rub for pulled pork and letting it marinate overnight, if you have the time, infuses the pork with a strong flavor. Mix the ingredients below and rub them complete over the pork shoulder, cover in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.
- 2 tablespoons Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Pepper
If you’re short on time try and rub the pulled pork with the rub below and chill it for 1 hour, covered, in the refrigerator. No time? No, problem! Simply cover the pork with the rub before placing it into the slow cooker and dump the remaining mix on top.
After cooking and shredding the meat toss it with a delicious barbecue sauce such as this Maple Bourbon BBQ Sauce.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Preparing this pork recipe is simple and requires just a few steps from start to completion.
A little bit of time for marinating the meat will allow for a bolder flavor, however, if you’re short on time this recipe will still be delicious with a few changes.
- TRIM
Prepare the meat by trimming the excess fat from the pork shoulder and discard it.
- MARINATE
In a small bowl whisk the dry rub ingredients together and cover all sides of the pork shoulder, cover in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour or up to 8 in the refrigerator. If short on time add directly to the slow cooker and pour the remaining rub on top.
- COOK
Place the diced onion, minced garlic, and orange juice in the slow cooker. Layer the prepped pork shoulder on top. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours.
- SHRED
Remove the meat from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Using two forks shred the pork. For juicier meat toss the leftover liquid from the slow cooker in with the shredded meat.
What to Make with Pulled Pork
The most common use for pulled pork is to make barbecue sandwiches, however, there are many other options. Make a large batch of this easy slow cooker pulled pork and eat it in different ways for days to come.
- Pulled Pork Nachos
- Southern Black-Eyed Pea Chili
- Pulled Pork Enchiladas
- Mac and Cheese with Pulled Pork
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 4½ lb Pork Shoulder
- 1 Yellow Onion diced
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 Orange juiced
DRY RUB
- 2 tablespoons Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the meat by trimming the excess fat from the pork shoulder and discard it.
- In a small bowl whisk the dry rub ingredients together and cover all sides of the pork shoulder, cover in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour or up to 8 in the refrigerator. If short on time add directly to the slow cooker and pour the remaining rub on top.
- Place the diced onion, minced garlic, and orange juice in the slow cooker. Layer the prepped pork shoulder on top. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours.
- Remove the meat from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Using two forks shred the pork. For juicier meat toss the leftover liquid from the slow cooker in with the shredded meat.
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