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This is some of the best pulled pork I've had in a long time (I've been working on perfecting this recipe for months!), and it also doesn't include any highly processed ingredients such as refined brown sugar, corn syrup, or ketchup.
My husband says it is so good that no BBQ sauce is necessary. Now, you know it’s good pulled pork when you don't reach for your favorite BBQ sauce. He would like me to pass on that he does like to dip it into a little hot sauce, although I for sure prefer mine with nothing added.
Try it both ways and decide for yourself. Either way, this is a great dish for serving (and pleasing!) a crowd. Try this Dutch Oven Pulled Pork or this Instant Pot Pork Roast too!
What type of meat is best for slow cooked pulled pork?
Pork shoulder is the most common cut used when making pulled pork. The shoulder includes the front leg and shoulder, and will likely come with a bone and plenty of marbling. The marbling is key because the fat is what will prevent the meat from drying out during the cooking process.
A full pork shoulder is a large cut of meat, so I recommend asking your grocery store's butcher to cut the shoulder down into two portions (3-5 lbs each). There are different names for the various parts of the pork shoulder that may be used—whether you use a pork butt, pork shoulder, Boston butt or picnic roast, they will all work just fine.
How long should you cook pulled pork in a Crock Pot?
The Crock Pot is great for pulled pork because you need to cook it low and slow for several hours. I usually cook 4 lbs of pork shoulder for 7 hours on low. Be aware though, pulled pork will dry out if overcooked.
Can you slow cook pulled pork on high?
I don’t recommend it. Pork is the most tender when cooked on low. Trust me, it’s worth the wait! For a quicker option, try this Instant Pot Pulled Pork.
What to put on a pulled pork sandwich
Pulled pork sandwiches are a super easy dinner idea or way to serve a crowd. If you use real food ingredients for your rolls and toppings, it’s also a healthier alternative to all that junk food you get at Superbowl parties or BBQ gatherings.
Whole wheat bread or bun
Start with any whole wheat slider bun, either homemade or store bought. Whole grain brioche is another delicious option or serve pulled pork sandwich style with homemade sandwich bread.
Vegetable toppings
Traditionally, pulled pork is served with coleslaw. You can also top your pulled pork sandwiches with lettuce, julienned carrots, onions, or arugula—almost any sandwich or burger fixings taste great on pulled pork!
Personally, I like to add veggies that give the sandwiches a bit of crunch. If you’re entertaining, offer toppings buffet style so people can pick their own.
Sauce
My husband says this recipe is great without BBQ sauce, and we avoid it because it’s usually full of sugar. An easy alternative is to drizzle a bit of the leftover juices onto your sandwich. Just don’t go overboard or your bun will get soggy!
Some other great sauce ideas are: hot sauce, tzatziki, and salsa.
Cheese
Not everyone agrees when it comes to cheese on pulled pork, but some popular choices are cheddar, mozzarella, and Havarti. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try Gruyère, Cotija cheese, or pepper jack. Try these pulled pork nachos too!
How to make this pulled pork recipe in an Instant Pot
Crockpots and Instant Pots cook things differently, but this is one recipe that does adapt well to pressure cooking. Here’s how to make this pulled pork recipe in an Instant Pot:
- Note: You’ll need an additional 1 cup of liquid for this recipe. Water will work, but chicken stock will be more flavorful.
- Prep the seasoning mixture.
- Heat a small amount of olive oil in the Instant Pot on the sauté setting.
- Meanwhile, cut your pork shoulder into quarters.
- Cover each pork piece with the seasoning mixture, then drop into the Instant Pot. Don’t overcrowd; you may have to work in batches.
- Brown the pork on all sides and remove.
- Turn off the Instant Pot, then toss in half a cup of water or stock and use wooden spoon to deglaze the pan.
- Place the pork back into the Instant Pot and add the remaining ingredients including the other ½ cup of water or stock. Note: Instant Pots heat from the bottom. Add the onion last and keep it mostly on top of the pork.
- Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Once it’s done, natural release for at least 15 minutes.
What to serve with pulled pork
I have some great side choice options here on the blog that perfectly accompany this slow cooker pulled pork.
- Collard Greens
- Simple Corn Salad
- Kale and Bacon Stuffed Potatoes
- Southern Potato Salad (without mayo!)
- Whole Grain Cornbread
- Charred Corn Salad with Tomatoes and Avocados
Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon thyme (dried)
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion (peeled and cut in half)
- 3-5 pounds pork shoulder (cut in half)
Instructions
- In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together the first six ingredients (all of the spices) with a fork.
- Pour in the honey, vinegar, and olive oil and stir to form a paste.
- Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top it with the 2 pieces of pork and then pour the honey paste over all sides of the pork pieces. It’s okay if some of it (or a lot of it) just drips down to the bottom.
- Turn the slow cooker on to low and cook for 7 to 8 hours or until the meat is tender enough to be easily shredded with a fork.
- Serve the shredded pork warm with fixings like homemade coleslaw and cornbread. My husband also likes his dipped in a little hot sauce. Refrigerate or freeze the leftovers.
Jena says
Hi, I made this today and it was fantastic! My first time making pulled pork. I surfed the web looking for an easy and tasty recipe and this was just right. Thanks!
niki says
my mom made me make it... it was good either way
Cheri says
Thank you so much for this recipe! It is wonderful. My husband said I'm a genius. Thanks to you....
I will definitely be putting this recipe in my favorites file. I look forward to checking out your other recipes. This on is a huge hit in my family.
Holly says
I tried this recipe today. I left out the thyme because I don't care for it, but used the rest ingredients as called for. It is fantastic!! Some of the best pulled pork I have ever put in my mouth!
Muvva says
Yummmmmmmm! Have just made this; it's keeping warm in the slow cooker and I'm going to serve it with sweet potato mash. Thanks for the recipe. So easy to make. Look forward to checking out the rest of your blog.
Miss KitchenMason says
Hi! I've been looking for a new (and obviously awesome!) pulled pork recipe to try. I'm trying this one today - one question though. Do you trim the fat off the meat before cooking? Thanks x
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Nope. :)
Mike Lacey says
Just cooked it. Smells wonderful. But I have a large amount of liquid left at the end. What to do with it?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Mike. Freeze it and use it to flavor another dish at another time. ~Amy
Tim says
I grow my own spices. How much fresh thyme would you recommend?
I'm excited about making this on the weekend. Love your natural food ingredients ......and I am not a fan of tomato based pulled pork recipes.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Tim. A good rule of thumb for dried vs fresh herbs is use 1/3 the amount of dried herbs to the amount of fresh herbs. ~Amy
Rachel says
I have a question... I am cooking this right now but have doubled the recipe. How long will it take to cook? Sounds awesome and can't wait to try it!!! Thank you!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Rachel. We are rarely able to answer recipe questions on real time. How did it turn out? ~Amy
diane says
WOW, this was superb!! My guest and hubby wouldn't stop raving about it. I am looking forward to looking at your website.
L Fisher says
I made cooked this recipe today exactly as the recipe says, except I doubled it. No leftovers. It way great. I will be serving it again soon to my family. They loved it.
Yvette Strom says
http://vimeo.com/channels/animalequality/35703417
Perhaps the pork does not want to be pulled!
ET says
Seriously? On a cooking website? Go away.
Yvette Strom says
It's not a cooking website. It's a real food website. Real food does not mean killing innocent animals. There are tons of delicious, organic and healthy "real food" alternatives to the wholesale torture of animals.
C Tremblay says
I just made it, it is good but I am not sure about the thyme. I wonder which spice I can use instead? Thyme is too powerful.
SpaghEddie says
C. Tremblay I was about to make this and was questioning the thyme, I'm glad I saw your post. I am going to replace it with oregano, I think that would be more mild and yummy
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Yep, I'd say oregano, basil, or marjoram would work. ~Amy
Geraldine says
Came across this recipe and decided to try it as it was nice and simple and seemed a bit healthier that the brown sugar/tomato sauce recipes I'd seen elsewhere. This recipe is really easy to follow and the end result was absolutely delicious. I have HEAPS of leftovers which I cannot wait to use on Pizzas, Quesadillas etc.
Jo says
I have this in the crock as I type...question. I assume the onion is keeping the meat from sitting in the fat drippings. When you remove the hunk of meat and shread, do you use the liquid in the bottom of the crock or dispose?
Elina says
Very good recipe. My hubby can't stop eating it. Thank you!!!!
Lester's Flat says
I am giving this a 5-star rating even though I am just making it now, for the first time. Sounds like a perfect combination to me! I will follow-up with a review afterward, but I had to cheat on some of the ingredients I was missing: used fresh garlic instead of powder, fresh thyme instead of dry, half honey/half agave nectar, and half smoked paprika/half sweet. Oh yeah, and I used fresh pork butt from our own pigs! I don't think this will alter your recipe too much, but I'll let you know. Thanks for posting this!
Tara says
This pulled pork recipe is delicious! The finished product is not heavy or saucy, allowing people to add sauce if they'd like. That being said, it has such a nice flavor that it doesn't need any added sauce. I added half a can of chipotles in adobo (diced)to the paste, but followed the recipe otherwise. I think I've found my new go-to pulled pork recipe!
Tami says
I really wanted to like this but it was too hot and sour and that's with me cutting back on the pepper and cayenne.
Philippa says
Brilliant recipe. Doing this for the 2nd time today. Thanks so much.
Sharon says
This is, by far, the BEST pulled pork recipe I've ever had. No BBQ sauce needed.
Adrijana says
What a fantastic recipe!! Thank you so much for sharing it.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. This might help: http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/tools-and-techniques/how-to-scale-a-recipe.htm. ~Amy
Kim says
Can any other type of meat be used? We don't have grass fed pork around here only beef.
Jackie says
trying this recipe tomorrow. Looks so good. I will be using a 6 lb pork shoulder, so I wasn't sure if I should double all or any of the ingredients?
Donna says
any input on the amount of salt? 1T or 2T? Thx!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Donna. Lisa used two but you can cut back if you'd like. Some readers felt it was too salty but most others did not.
Beth says
Love this, but I really love barbeque sauce on it. Any suggestions for barbeque sauce that isn't full of high fructose corn syrup and other crazy things?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Beth. Here is a favorite recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/honey-barbecue-sauce. They do add brown sugar but you could just up the honey content. :) ~Amy
Tara says
BEST.PULLED.PORK.EVER
I made this for Easter this year and it was a huge hit! We had pulled pork with corn and potato salad for dinner. I refrigerated the liquid overnight separate from the leftover meat. Once hardened I skimmed all the fat off (and there was A LOT), heated the juice, put the pulled pork back into the juices to heat. Then we had pulled pork sandwiches. To die for!! I'll never make it any other way again. The only modification I made was I used about 1/4 tsp cayenne and 1/2 the salt.
Johnny says
Those are calles "Carnitas" looks really good
https://www.google.com.mx/search?q=carnitas&client=firefox-a&hs=ltE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Gg19U5HNBYejqAa8wYLAAg&ved=0CLMBEIke&biw=1052&bih=658
Deborah says
Try brown sugar..
Yulianna says
What could I sub for the honey? I get horrible headaches if i eat honey :-/
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Maple syrup is our sub for honey. ~Amy
Teresa says
its in the crock pot as we speak yum yum!!! I can't wait to try!
Caroline says
This recipe is fantastic. My whole family loved it and called out for more! Great to have another recipe everyone loves. Thank you x
Cbass says
Outstanding. Sneaky-spicy. You don't taste the bite and the flavor is amazing, but your mouth is in fire 5 minutes later. Meat is beyond tender, my family will kill this by tomorrow. Awesome recipe. Thanks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Dee. You could certainly give ribs a try with this recipe. Lisa has another crock pot rib recipe that you might reference as well: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/10/18/asian-short-ribs-recipe-slow-cooker/. ~Amy
Dee says
Hi! Would this work with boneless, country style ribs? Thanks!
Yaro says
No worries! It came out great! And it was even 3.9 lbs!
Yaro says
I just got the sauce ready and put everything in the crockpot so I can just turn it on tomorrow, but I forgot to cut the pork in half! Should I try to do it now?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Sorry. We are not able to answer recipes in real time. How did it turn out? ~Amy
Amy says
This was simply amazing. I took your advice and cut the salt and cayenne (since one eater is 2 years old) by half, and no one missed the BBQ sauce. Even my meat-averse toddler asked for more! This recipe brings the "dinners the entire family will eat" list up to 5 options, so it will be going into the rotation. Thanks so much for posting it.
Marie says
What to do with the leftovers? My family ate about half, but didn't love the spice mix. I think they'll eat the rest in another meal, just not on it's own. Does anyone have a good idea to repurpose the meat? A casserole, maybe?
Liz says
We always make BBQ pork sandwiches with the leftovers. Just add your own barbeque sauce.
Beth says
We do a salad with leaf lettuce, pulled pork, black beans, corn, cheese, tomatoes, and a spicy ranch dressing (can find recipes to make your own, or buy one). Loooove it :)
Jeanna says
Hey, is it measured in US cups? So 1 US cup is 2.3 deciliters? Cheers from Sweden lol
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi there. Yes, just a little more than 2.3 dl.