This easy and delicious slow cooker pulled pork, can also be cooked on the stove-top or in the oven!
My favourite pulled pork recipe is both easy and delicious. I feel like it splits the middle of the pulled pork recipes I see around. It doesn’t feature any fancy rubs or require hours in a smoker. On the other hand, it doesn’t just rely on a “bottle of bbq sauce” either.
Despite the fact that I have called this “Slow Cooker Pulled Pork”, this dish can also be made on the stove-top or by popping into the oven to cook.
The slow cooker version is the absolute easiest, of course. Simply add all the ingredients and let it cook away. The stove-top and oven versions don’t require much more attention, but they do require the occasional peek. As a reward for your extra effort, the stove-top and oven versions will give a bit of extra flavour from the browning in the pan. Pick whichever method suits you at the time.
What is the best cut of pork to use for pulled pork?
The best pulled pork starts with a pork shoulder (also sometimes called pork butt or Boston butt). They are easily recognizable for the fat marbling between the meat. You can go with a bone-in pork shoulder or one that is wrapped in netting. (Be sure to remove the netting before you start cooking, though).
A boneless pork loin roast will technically work for pulled pork, though the pork will not shred as nicely, will not be as quite moist and you will miss the extra flavour of the fat of the pork shoulder.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Pork: As noted above, a pork shoulder roast (bone-in or boneless) is your best choice for the best pulled pork. If the pork roast is netted, remove the netting before cooking. I also like to cut off and discard any large pieces of fat or the skin, if present, from the roast, before cooking.
Tomato Paste: This is just the standard sized small can of tomato paste.
White Vinegar: If you don’t have white vinegar, cider vinegar is a good substitute here.
Chili Powder: This is just the common chili powder that you would use to make a pot of chili. If you’d like to add a bit of smokiness to your pulled pork, add a bit of chipotle chili powder.
Dry Mustard: This is the powdered mustard, usually sold in a small yellow can. If you don’t have dried mustard, you can use prepared yellow mustard. You’ll need to use 2 Tbsp of prepared mustard to substitute for the much stronger powdered mustard.
Worcestershire Sauce: A nice addition to this dish, though not a deal-breaker if you don’t have any on hand. You can substitute about 1 1/2 tsp of soy sauce and a pinch of garlic powder.
Recipe Tips for Making Pulled Pork
For the slow cooker: I usually cook on High in the slow cooking, allowing it to cook, covered, for 4-5 hours. Check at 4 hours and test the meat. If it doesn’t shred easily, cook some more. If you need it to cook longer, simply reduce the heat to start and cook longer.
For the stove-top: Simply add all the ingredients to a large, heavy-bottomed pot, such as a Dutch oven. Cook covered over medium-low heat for 3-4 hours, or until the pork shreds easily. *I like to stir and flip the meat over every 30 minutes or so at first, to avoid any scorching on the bottom of the pan.
For the oven: Simply combine all ingredients in an oven-proof pot with a lid and cook in a preheated 325F oven for about 3 hours. *I like to stir and flip the meat over every 30 minutes for the first hour, to avoid any scorching on the bottom of the pan.
For all methods, once the pork is cooked to shreddable form, remove the large chunks of meat to a cutting board and shred with two forks, discarding any large chunks of fat and the bone, if you started with a bone-in roast. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker or pot and cook, UNCOVERED, for a further 40-45 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and thickened.
You Might Also Like! For a Fall twist to your pulled pork, try my Apple Pulled Pork.
Making Ahead Notes, Storing and Freezing
For making ahead, allow pulled pork to cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate up to 4 days.
Pulled pork also freezes well in a freezer bag or container.
Step-by-Step Photos
1. Simply add all the ingredients to your slow cooker. No need to brown the meat. If your piece of pork is too large to fit, cut into large chunks. Cover and cook on High for about 3-4 hours or on Low for 6-8 hours.
2. After cooking, remove the chunks of meat and shred them with two forks. This is how it will look when you return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Continue cooking with the lid off, until the sauce cooks down and thickens, about 45 minutes more.
3. And this is how your luscious pulled pork will look after it cooks uncovered and thickens up. Then simply pile it in between a bun (coleslaw optional, but always a good idea :)
What to do with your pulled pork beyond sandwiches
- Pulled pork is lovely on a bun, with coleslaw or enjoy it open-faced on toasted bread.
- Try pulled pork on any of the following Mexican-style dishes: tacos, quesadillas, taquitos or tostadas.
- Pulled pork makes an interesting baked pasta, mixed with roasted red pepper and baked topped with cheese.
- And finally, Canadians have been known to top poutine with pulled pork now and then :)
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Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder, or Boston Buttt, bone-in or boneless, cut into large chunks if necessary to fit into your pot
- 2 cups onion, diced
- 2 red peppers, seeded and diced
- 6 oz tomato paste, canned
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 3 - 4 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir to combine a bit (not easy, since it’s very dry at this point but just move things around a bit, to coat).
- Cook covered for 4-5 hours on High or if you want it to cook longer, you can reduce the heat a bit. (If the roast is exposed on the top, I like to open the lid every hour or so and flip it over but it isn’t really necessary if it’s not convenient.)
- To test, take a piece of pork and try shredding it with two forks. If it shreds easily, go ahead and remove/shred all the chunks of meat, discarding any large chunks of fat or the bone, if you started with a bone-in roast. (If not, cook a little longer). Return the shredded meat to the sauce.
- Stir the meat into the sauce, and let simmer about another 1/2 hour, UNCOVERED, to thicken up the sauce.
- Serve on crusty rolls with bbq sauce, coleslaw on the sandwich or on the side, if desired.
Notes
More Pork Recipes to Love!
Hi! I’m Jennifer, a home cook schooled by trial and error and almost 40 years of getting dinner on the table! I love to share my favourite recipes, both old and new, together with lots of tips and tricks to hopefully help make your home cooking enjoyable, stress free, rewarding and of course, delicious!
Would you please share a simple Coleslaw recipe someday? I love learning from you! I haven’t made anything of yours that wasn’t downright delicious!
Hi Katie and yes, I can! Do you like a mayo coleslaw or oil/vinegar type? (Or both :)
Like you were reading my mind. I just happened to have bought a piece on Saturday. I had everything else I needed in the pantry and fridge. We made this Wednesday in the crock pot . I admit I did not make the slaw I went to buy my favourite brand. All gone by Thursday lunch 4 people here with nothing to do except eat,sleep, drink…re-wind..
Stay safe Jennifer and keep them coming
So glad to hear, Pat! Thanks so much :)
I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, Jennifer!!!! I’m a huge fan of pulled pork and making it in the slow cooker is one of my favs – so easy!! This looks absolutely delicious! It’s the perfect comforting meal!! Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Cheyanne and yes, it was a wonderful Fall weekend here :) Glad to have it behind me though and eating something other than turkey :)
It’s definitely ‘waiting for snow’ season here, so bring on all the comfort food! My favourite way to prepare pulled pork is in the slow cooker. And I love that your recipe strikes a nice balance between, as you said, fancy rubs and a bottle of BBQ sauce!!
Thanks Leanne and yes, at least we are still waiting for it, unlike Alberta and Manitoba :)
We love pulled pork Jennifer. And nothing better than making it in the crock pot. Just set it and forget it is my kinda meal. Need to get this pulled pork on our game day menu!
Thanks Mary Ann and yes, great football food :)
I have company coming, for an extended stay, and need this recipe! I’ve never thought to remove the lid and cook it down – this is brilliant. Who could say no to this juicy, flavorful sandwich? Yes, cole slaw please – and thank you!
Thanks Tricia and yes, this is a perfect dish for company!
Made this the other night and it was terrific Jennifer. I used a 4 pound pork shoulder because I needed more meat. It was terrific with a vinegar slaw on toasted rolls. I love the unique flavors and all those peppers and onions. We’re still enjoying leftovers. Thanks so much!
So glad to hear, Tricia :) And yes, the leftovers are great to have around (and it does freeze well, too!)
Nothing like pork in the slow cooker! This looks amazing, Jennifer! Piled high with coleslaw…there’s no going wrong there :)
Thanks so much, Dawn :)