Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

It doesn’t get much simpler than this 4-ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe. Ideal for busy weeknights and party menus, my best pulled pork recipe also happens to be one of my easiest dinner ideas ever.

Meggan’s notes

I’ve always loved the classic flavor combination of pork and apples. As a classically-trained chef, I know apples add both tenderness and flavor to pork while it cooks, whether that means pinning apples to a pork shoulder while it smokes, or topping a pork roast with applesauce in a slow cooker.

Believe it or not, the secret to the best pulled pork is the doneness temperature. While pork is “done” at 145 degrees, it doesn’t become fall-apart, fork-tender until its 180 degrees. At that temperature, the meat shreds easily and all the fat is melted, infusing every bite with juicy, pork flavor. It’s magical.

My other suggestion is to brown the pork in a skillet first. That extra step adds a rich brown crust which leads to extra taste and texture all over the pork. You’ll never get a brown crust in a slow cooker alone, so start it on the stove-top and you’ll be all set.

Recipe ingredients

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

• Pork: Look for a boneless or bone-in pork shoulder roast or pork butt. These heavy-duty cuts of pork have a high fat content which translates to more flavor. 
• Applesauce: A half cup of store-bought or homemade applesauce lends moisture and just a hint of sweet flavor to the shredded pork.
• Barbecue sauce: Saucing your pork isn’t required, and if you want to eat it in tacos, serve salsa on the side instead. To go the BBQ route, stir in your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or try my Sweet Baby Ray’s copycat Barbecue Sauce.

Step by step instructions

1. In a Dutch oven or large stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sprinkle pork generously with salt on all sides. Add to pot and sear without moving until a dark brown crust forms on one side, about 5 to 6 minutes.

2. Flip pork over and continue browning on the second side until a dark crust forms, about 4 to 5 minutes longer. Remove from pot and transfer to slow cooker. Pour applesauce over the top.

3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours or LOW for 8 to 10 hours. Using two forks, shred the pork.

4. Serve with barbecue sauce and in buns if desired.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: This easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe makes 12 1/2-cup servings, enough for a dozen entree portions (or eight 3/4-cup servings if you’re only serving this with something light, such as coleslaw).
• Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is a great freezer-friendly entrée! Make a batch and stow it away in freezer-safe containers (dated and labeled) for yourself, a neighbor, a new mom, or anyone else who might need a meal. For meal trains, I offer a bottle of barbecue sauce on the side, a bag of soft rolls for sandwiches, and a simple side (maybe grab a bag of frozen corn, steam it in the microwave, and stir in some butter and salt).
• Pulled Pork Pancakes: Pulled pork on flapjacks? Definitely! Pulled Pork Pancakes earn rave reviews at every party or family brunch where I serve them.
• Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict: Substitute leftover pulled pork for the Canadian bacon and thank me later.
• Enchiladas: Roll up a batch of your favorite enchiladas or burritos with pulled pork as the protein.
• Quesadillas or tostadas: Leftover pulled pork sandwiched between tortillas with a splash of hot sauce and some avocado? Yes, please.
• Chili: Your favorite chili will love you for it; simply swap for ground beef.
• Pizza: Atop a base of purchased, par-baked pizza crust and barbecue sauce, sprinkle an even layer of pulled pork. Finish with sliced red onion and shredded cheddar cheese and bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
• Paleo and Whole30 Compatible: Choose unsweetened applesauce and a Whole30-compatible barbecue sauce such as Primal Kitchen Classic BBQ Sauce.

More pork favorites

Main Dishes

Pork Roast

Main Dishes

Pork Cutlets with Apples

Chipotle Copycat Recipes

Chipotle Carnitas Copycat

30 Minute Meals

Grilled Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

By Meggan Hill

It doesn't get much simpler than this 4-ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe. Ideal for busy weeknights and party menus, my best pulled pork recipe also happens to be one of my easiest dinner ideas ever.

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Total Time 4 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Servings 12 servings (½ cup each)

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Calories 220

5 from 13 votes

ReviewPrint

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 3 pounds pork shoulder roast or pork butt roast (see note 1)
• ▢ 1/2 cup applesauce (see note 2)
• ▢ 2 cups barbecue sauce optional (see note 3)
• ▢ Buns for serving, optional

Instructions 

• In a Dutch oven or large stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sprinkle pork generously with salt on all sides. Add to pot and sear without moving until a dark brown crust forms on one side, about 5 to 6 minutes.
• Flip pork over and continue browning on the second side until a dark crust forms, about 4 to 5 minutes longer. Remove from pot and transfer to slow cooker. Pour applesauce over the top.
• Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours or LOW 8 to 10 hours. Using two forks, shred the pork. Serve with barbecue sauce and in buns if desired.

Recipe Video

Notes

1. Pork: Look for a boneless or bone-in pork shoulder roast or pork butt. These heavy-duty cuts of pork have a high fat content which translates to more flavor. 
2. Applesauce: A half cup of store-bought or homemade applesauce lends moisture and just a hint of sweet flavor to the shredded pork.
3. Barbecue sauce: Saucing your pork isn’t required, and if you want to eat it in tacos, serve salsa on the side instead. To go the BBQ route, stir in your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or try my Sweet Baby Ray’s copycat Barbecue Sauce.
4. Yield: This easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe makes 12 1/2-cup servings, enough for a dozen entree portions (or eight 3/4-cup servings if you’re only serving this with something light, such as coleslaw).
5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5 cupCalories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 14gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 542mgPotassium: 354mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 107IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg

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