The secret to ridiculously tender pulled pork isn’t a smoker and you definitely don’t need to wake up at 2 a.m. to make it.
Making slow cooker pulled pork should be easy, but knowing which cut to buy, how long to cook it, and how to keep it tender and flavorful can leave you with more questions than answers. This crockpot pulled pork recipe walks you through exactly how to get juicy, fall-apart pork—and what to do if things go wrong!
Our daughter is always asking for pulled pork tacos for dinner, but man, getting up at 2 a.m. to start the smoker or oven and then having it going for 13 hours was starting to kill me. There had to be an easier way!
So I found a way to get that tender, smoky-sweet pork we love while leaving the oven and smoker free and letting the slow cooker do all the work. Now I’ve got pork for Sunday tacos and extra in the freezer for next time!
Why You’ll Love This Pulled Pork Recipe
- Incredibly tender and juicy: Cooking the pork butt low and slow gives all that connective tissue time to break down until the meat practically falls apart.
- Big flavor: An optional apple cider brine and our smoky homemade dry rub pack flavor into every bite.
- Set it and forget it: Let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you get on with your day.
- Leftovers are gold: Make a big batch and use it for tacos, sandwiches, nachos, baked potatoes, rice bowls and more. It also freezes beautifully.
What is the Best Cut of Pork for Pulled Pork?
Pork butt (also called pork shoulder), also called Boston butt, makes the best pulled pork. It’s a well-marbled cut from the upper portion of the pork shoulder, and all that fat and connective tissue breaks down during the long cooking time, giving you incredibly juicy, tender pork that’s easy to shred.
Some readers have asked, “Can I use pork loin?” but the truth is, a pork loin has a low fat content and its muscle will not break down the same as the shoulder or butt. It literally will not turn out.
If you have pork loin in your freezer, try orange glazed pork loin recipe instead.
Never use these cuts of pork for pulled pork:
- Boston butt
- Picnic shoulder
- Pork loin
- Pork tenderloin
Here’s what you need to know to buy the right pork shoulder/butt
- Always buy your pork shoulder bone in