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A plated with pulled pork sandwiches and chips on it.
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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.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 45 minutes
Servings 12 servings (1/2 cup each)
Calories 220kcal
Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

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.

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 cup | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 542mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 107IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg