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Tender Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe Easy Perfect Pulled Pork for Beginners

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A simple and satisfying slow cooker pulled pork recipe that yields tender, juicy, and flavorful pork with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–5 pounds (1.8–2.3 kg) pork shoulder (also called pork butt), bone-in or boneless
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup (120 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water or chicken broth
  • Optional: ½ cup (120 ml) barbecue sauce

Instructions

  1. Trim the pork shoulder: Remove any thick layers of fat, but leave some marbling for flavor. Pat the meat dry with paper towels (about 5 minutes).
  2. Make the dry rub: In a bowl, mix together 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper until well combined (3 minutes).
  3. Coat the pork: Rub the dry mixture all over the pork shoulder, massaging it in so every inch is covered (5 minutes).
  4. Place pork in slow cooker: Lay the seasoned pork shoulder in the slow cooker insert, fat side up. Pour ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup water or chicken broth around the meat, avoiding washing off the rub (2 minutes).
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or HIGH for 5 to 6 hours. The pork is done when it’s fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
  6. Check for doneness: Using tongs or a fork, test the tenderness by pulling gently on the pork. If it resists, cook for another 30 minutes and check again (1 minute).
  7. Shred the pork: Carefully remove the pork from the slow cooker and transfer it to a large cutting board or bowl. Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces (5-7 minutes). Discard any large chunks of fat.
  8. Mix with cooking juices: Pour some of the flavorful liquid from the slow cooker back over the shredded pork and stir to moisten. Add barbecue sauce if desired for a saucier finish (2 minutes).
  9. Serve: Spoon the pulled pork onto buns, over rice, or however you like to enjoy it.

Notes

For a crust, place cooked pork under broiler for 5 minutes after slow cooking. Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat. Use two forks to shred pork along the grain for best texture. Cooking on HIGH is faster but may reduce tenderness. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pulled pork, pulled pork recipe, easy pulled pork, slow cooker recipes, pork shoulder, barbecue pork, comfort food

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/tender-slow-cooker-pulled-pork-recipe-easy-perfect-pulled-pork-for-beginners/