Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork
This Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork is made with just a few ingredients, almost no prep work, and makes the most delicious meal!
Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork
Summer is in full swing, barbeque season is here, and the days feel like they’ll never end. I love this time of year, don’t you? I am especially excited for the 4th of July! Not only does it fall on a Friday (which means a shortened work week for me), but it’s also a great way to start the weekend!
I’m also looking forward to enjoying some delicious food over the weekend. Burgers and hot dogs will always be classic summer staples to me, but one other dish that I always associate with the season is barbecue pulled pork. Though it’s not something that you just throw onto the grill like a burger, it sure does taste delicious on those hot summer days.
And because I plan on eating some tasty BBQ food over the holiday weekend, I wanted to share my Slow Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork recipe with you. I make it in the slow cooker so that it doesn’t heat up the house, and because it’s just so delicious that way! And guess what? It’s just five simple ingredients. That’s it!
Hardly any prep time, either. So you can throw this pork in the slow cooker, enjoy the summer weather, and pop back into the house when it’s almost finished.
This is one of my favorite recipes that I make, and the hubster whole-heartedly agrees. In fact, he often requests that I make this slow cooker barbecue pork, which means it’s definitely a winner! BBQ + pork = summer amazingness!
My secret ingredient (or probably not-so secret since I’m sure you’ve heard of this before) is root beer.
Yes, you read that right. Root beer marinates the pork for most of the duration of the cooking process, making the pork incredibly moist, tender, and all-around delicious. The root beer brand isn’t as important as the barbecue sauce, though. I usually just use a store brand bottle of root beer, because you will end up draining the liquid towards the end.
And don’t worry about ending up with pork tasting like root beer. Although it adds a slight tang, it doesn’t take like the soda. Now you’re intrigued, right? I told you this pork is good!
Barbecue Pulled Pork Ingredients
Here’s all you’ll need to make this bbq pulled pork recipe in the slow cooker:
- Pork roast
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Root beer
- Barbecue sauce
How to Make Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork
Did I mention how incredibly easy this barbecue pulled pork recipe is to prepare? So easy, guys!
- Season your pork with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- After the pork is seasoned, place it in the slow cooker. Add enough root beer to cover the pork about ¾ up the sides.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 ½ hours, or on high for 3 ½ hours.
- When the timer rings, drain the root beer from the slow cooker and place the pork on a cutting board.
- Now it’s time to shred! I use two forks to shred the pork, but use whatever you think would be easiest.
- After the pork is shredded, return to the slow cooker.
- Add in the barbecue sauce, mix well, cover, and then cook for another half hour. And that’s it!
Have some toasty buns ready to go and you’ve got yourself a delicious pulled pork sandwich waiting for you. This tastes delicious for leftovers, too. Definitely a perfect summer (or anytime) meal in our house!
What’s the Best Pork for Pulled Pork?
I have made this slow cooker barbecue pulled pork with several different cuts of meat, but I find that the boston butt works the best. It’s less fatty, meatier, and tastier that other cuts. But if you have pork shoulder or spare ribs, those work just as well.
I usually buy a 2.5 pound cut, which feeds the hubster and I for dinner, plus another two servings for leftovers later in the week.
Can I Freeze Barbecue Pulled Pork?
Very easily! Be sure to seal it tightly in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. To thaw, place in your fridge overnight.
subscribe to my youtube channel to see how easy this recipe is to make!
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
It’s important that you use a good barbecue sauce to make this slow cooker pulled pork with root beer , because you want it smothered in the tastiest stuff you can find! My go-to sauce is (and will always be) Sweet Baby Ray’s. Man, I love that sauce! So delicious! But use whatever sauce is your favorite kind.
Skip the garlic powder if you don’t like it, but if you’ve been hanging around here long enough, you know that I absolutely love garlic! So for me, it’s a necessary seasoning!
Lastly, don’t bother trimming the fat from the pork. I made the mistake when I first made this barbecue pork (years ago) and it took me forever to trim! Little did I know that because the pork will become tender, the fat will just tear away when it’s time to shred. So learn from my mistake and don’t trim the fat before it’s cooked! Trust me!
Looking for more slow cooker recipes? I’ve got you covered!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Slow Cooker Pizza Chili
- Slow Cooker Honey Balsamic Pork Loin
- Slow Cooker No Bean Chili
Slow Cooker Barbeque Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds Boston butt pork roast, (pork shoulder or spare ribs works well, too)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups root beer soda
- 4-5 cups barbecue sauce, (any kind)
Equipment
Instructions
- Line slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or lightly grease with non-stick cooking spray.
- Season pork on both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place pork into slow cooker. Pour root beer over pork, ensuring that it covers pork ¾ of the way up sides.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 ½ hours or on high for 3 ½ hours.
- After pork is cooked, remove from slow cooker and place onto cutting board. Shred pork using two forks. Discard any fat.
- Drain root beer from slow cooker and place shredded pork back into it. Pour barbecue sauce over pork and mix well. Cover and cook on low for another half hour. Serve on toasty buns, if desired.
Notes
- I found that the boston butt cut of pork works best for this recipe, but pork shoulder or spare ribs will work just as well.
- I used Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, but any kind will do. Just be sure to pick a kind that you like, as this will make or break the taste of your pork!
- The brand of root beer doesn't matter, as you will end up draining all of the liquid from the pork when it’s finished cooking.
I don’t even eat meat and this looks yum! The root beer is so smart and also I douse EVERYTHING in garlic powder haha 🙂
Glad you like garlic just as much as me, Medha! 🙂
Mr. Bakes would dive RIGHT into this!! I don’t eat meat but seriously, this is a gorgeous sandwich. I hope you enjoy 4th of July!!
Thanks, Jessica! Sounds like your husband would love this! I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July, too!
I love how you used root beer in this, I’ll have to give this a try! Hope you have a good weekend, Gayle!
The root beer sounds strange, but it really does work! 🙂
This looks amazing! I have eaten a ton of pulled pork, I went to school in North Carolina and they have some of the best, but I have only made my own once before. It was so good and I love having tons of leftovers, you are reminding me that I really should make it more often! I would love to have one of these sandwiches on the 4th 🙂
Isn’t pulled pork the best? This is a quick, easy, and tasty way to make pulled pork…it’s definitely my favorite!
Yum! Love pulled pork sandwiches. I can’t wait to try this to see how the root beer is in it. Such a plus it’s a slow cooker recipe. I love letting that machine do all the work!
The root beer may sound a bit odd, but it really does work! And the slow cooker makes it so tender and delicious!
I must try using root beer!!! I didn’t know about this! These look amazing! Although we don’t eat pork, I want to try this with chicken. These look AMAZING!!!!!
That’s a great idea to try this with chicken, Samina! It would have the same effect, and make it extra delicious!
Don’t you love your slow cooker?! I actually think I use it more in the summer than in the winter just so I don’t have to heat up the house! This looks soooo good! We love BBQ!
I adore my slow cooker…it’s probably my favorite appliance I own! I think you would love this pork if you tried it, Annie! So quick, easy, and delicious!
You’re absolutely correct, summer = barbecue beef! I have get my wife to get a slow cooker so she can follow your recipe to the tee! The added root beer was a nice touch.
Thanks, Tom! The root beer definitely makes the pork extra tender and gives it a nice added touch, without tasting like root beer!
I just got myself a new slow cooker today so I am going to be all over this recipe! I can’t wait!
I hope you love this pulled pork if you try it, Pamela!
This pulled pork looks amazing! I love slow cooker recipes and love to find new ones. Pinning!
Thanks for the pin, Cindy!
I love pulled pork, these look so moist and delicious Gayle. Yum
Thanks, Kathy!
Oh gosh I so agree – BBQ pulled pork (or even chicken) is such a summer food in my mind (even though I definitely eat it all year round! haha!). This looks awesome!
Thanks, Ashley! Pulled pork and chicken are definitely the way to go!
This looks amazing!! YUM! YUM! I love pulled pork! 🙂 What a great recipe!
Thanks, Cailee!
Oh, wow, root beer? This sounds so good! I love pulled pork, and this sounds like a great way to change it up. My oldest son would especially be in heaven!
Sounds like this would be a perfect meal for your son! The root beer doesn’t add much flavor, but does make the pork tender and delicious!
Oh, yum! Root beer barbecue! Pork bbq is one of the best meals to come out of a Crock Pot, and your version sounds delicious. Perfect for a busy weeknight!
Agreed! Thanks for the sweet comment, Blair!
LOVE the video, Gayle!! I absolutely love pulled pork, so i could (and will) eat this year ’round!! Pinned of course! Cheers!
Thank you, Cheyanne!
Pulled pork is a favourite around here, especially this time of year! Never had with root beer before. Bet it adds a lovely sweetness. This looks amazing and awesome video! Pinned! Hope you have a fantastic week, my friend 🙂
Thanks, Dawn! The root beer definitely adds a nice touch.
We are big fans of pulled pork and this sounds just perfect! As always…great video! I’m hungry!
Thanks, Annie!
Meat sweats already kicking in. Cannot get over how good this looks– NEED to try soon!!!
Thanks, Karly! It’s such an easy meal!
I love pulled pork. Can’t wait to try this version! Looks amazing! Love the video!
Thanks, Mira!
This seriously looks like the BEST pulled pork ever, Gayle!! I’m honestly drooling and wishing this was breakfast right now!
Thanks, Sarah! It’s my favorite kind!
Pulled pork is my FAV. Like, I could eat WAY too much of it. I’m so glad you decided to reshoot it, Gayle – it has my mouth watering!
Isn’t pulled pork the best?! Thanks, Keri!
sounds like an easy meal which is also so comforting and flavorful!
Definitely! Thanks, Manali.
I have a 9 lb. pork shoulder butt which has the bone in. . I used your seasoning and it is smelling good. My question is : Is it okay to cook it in the crockpot with the bone in and doesit alter the cooking time!?
Hi Brian! Yes, bone in is just fine. When it’s time to shred the meat, just discard the bone. Hope you enjoy!
It was really helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed!
Great! I just finished it last night and the result was unexpected, My wife loves it. She got surprised. Yeah. I am going to try this for my friends too. Nice. Thanks for your guide.
So happy you both enjoyed!