This slow cooker pork shoulder is my absolute favorite way to make pulled pork without bbq sauce. A super easy combination of seasonings mixed with garlic and shallots provides a ton of flavor, while cooking low and slow makes the meat super tender and juicy.
It's hard to resist a good slow cooked pork shoulder, especially when served in a bun for a summer sandwich. It is a great recipe for meal prepping and is super freezer-friendly.
This crock pot pork shoulder is one of my favorite recipes for warmer months. It keeps the kitchen cool without the need to turn on the oven, but pairs so well with summer salads and creamy coleslaw.
The secret to an ultra tender pork shoulder is to cook it on low and use the perfect spice blend. No BBQ sauce is needed!
You'll love this slow cooker pulled pork recipe because:
- Super easy - just throw everything into the crock pot and forget about it for 8 hours.
- Lower sugar - This recipe does not require BBQ sauce, which can add a lot of extra sugar (almost half a cup versus 1 tablespoon).
- It's so tender - Thanks to cooking low and slow!
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Pork Shoulder Roast in the Crock Pot
There are two types of cuts of pork that work best with pulled pork - pork shoulder and pork butt. Both come from the shoulder area of the pig. Pork butt is also known as "Boston butt" and is generally more fatty. In this recipe, I use boneless pork shoulder roast because that always seems to be easiest for me to find. It generally comes wrapped with twine to keep it together.
Both pork shoulder and pork butt are pretty tough and fatty cuts of meat, which requires slow cooking. This allows the meat to fall apart, becoming tender and flavorful as it cooks.
Ingredients
Not much is needed for this slow cooked pork shoulder, but here are some highlights of the necessary ingredients.
- Pork Shoulder - This can also be substituted with pork butt, as discussed above. You can use boneless or bone in. For bone in, I recommend anticipating a longer cooking time of 1-2 hours. You'll know it's ready when it falls off the bone easily. A 3-4 pound pork shoulder will serve about 6-8 people depending on if you're making sandwiches or using for other recipes. Keep in mind that while it seems like a lot of meat, it does shrink up as it cooks.
- Spices - I like to use a chili powder without cocoa or onion powder included, like Frontier or Morton & Bassett. You already have plenty of onion flavor with the shallot. Just a touch of brown sugar is needed to cut the natural saltiness of the pork.
- Broth - I recommend using a vegetable broth for this recipe rather than a beef or chicken broth. It adds just enough flavor!
Step by Step Process
Step 1: Add garlic and shallots. Place them in a single level at the bottom of the slow cooker. Set to "Low" heat.
Step 2: Add pork shoulder. Pat it dry with paper towels and add the pork shoulder roast to the crock pot on top of the garlic and shallots. If your pork shoulder is wrapped in netting, feel free to remove it. Sometimes lying flat can help everything cook more quickly. (Picture 1)
Step 3: Mix the seasoning. Mix together the seasonings and pat on top of the pork shoulder, making sure it's evenly coated.
Step 4: Add broth. Add a cup of broth to the slow cooker, pouring all along the edges and not over the top, so the seasoning stays on the pork shoulder. (Picture 2)
Cook on low for 8-10 hours. I recommend avoiding cooking on high if you can, you'll get best flavor and texture on low. However, if you must, I recommend cooking on high 6-8 hours. (Picture 3)
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Step 5: Shred the meat. When it's done, the pork shoulder will shred easily with two forks. Remove the meat from the liquid in the slow cooker if you don't intend to serve immediately. (Picture 4)
Storage and Freezing
This pulled pork shoulder will keep up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
For the refrigerator - Separate the pork from the liquid in the crock pot. The liquid will collect a lot of fat which will harden when cooled. To separate it, pour the liquid into a glass container and place in the fridge. Once it has cooled, a thick cream-colored layer will form on top of the liquid. This is the fat. Simple use a spoon to remove it, and pour the rest of the liquid over the pork before eating.
For the freezer - Place the pork into a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze flat for up to 4 months. To defrost, place in the fridge overnight. To quickly defrost, place the bag (make sure it is fully sealed) in warm water for 30 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe works great with so many different meals. Here are a few different ways you can transform this crock pot pork shoulder, along with some side dish ideas.
- Pulled Pork Tacos - serve with tortillas, lettuce, fresh cheese, and sliced radish.
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches - serve on Martin's potato bread, or your favorite burger buns with a homemade BBQ sauce. I have a recipe in my cookbook and a North Carolina vinegar-based BBQ sauce below.
- Pork Quesadillas - serve this in between two tortillas with white American cheese. Pan fry till cheese has melted and outside becomes brown and crispy.
Side Dishes
- Healthy Coleslaw (this actually goes great on top of a pulled pork sandwich.)
- Easy Potato Salad
- Salad with Ranch Dressing
Vinegar Sauce for Pulled Pork
I highly recommend pairing this slow cooked pork shoulder with this vinegar-based sauce! It's delicious! This vinegar sauce recipe is inspired by North Carolina BBQ sauce. The tanginess compliments the rich pork very well and it is also low in sugar compared to other BBQ sauce recipes.
- ¾ cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼-1/3 cup organic apple juice (no additives)
- 1-½ teaspoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Place all ingredients in a small pot and bring to a simmer until the salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature or place in the fridge until ready to serve. It is best if you can let sit at least an hour.
This makes around 1 cup of sauce. Adjust as needed! The sauce is meant to be used sparingly so try a teaspoon or two on your serving before you go all in.
Frequently Asked Questions
No! You need a traditional crock pot (also known as a slow cooker) for this pulled pork recipe. Instant pot's slow cooker function heats differently than a traditional slow cooker and therefore does not cook evenly.
While you can make this recipe on high heat, I recommend low for the best flavor and texture. With tough cuts of meat, low and slow is always the way to go. It will give you meat that is very tender and not dry!
Having the liquid only come up about ¼ of the way up the pork shoulder is totally normal. This does not mean the pork will be dry - that has more to do with the cut and cooking times. It does not need to be completely submerged, however you do want to make sure you cover the spices all around so the entire pork gets covered in flavor.
Pork loin and pork shoulder are NOT the same thing and cannot be used interchangeably. So double check what you're buying. Make sure you're clear with your butcher. If you buy pork loin instead or pork shoulder or pork butt, this recipe will turn out incredibly dry as it does not contain the fat content needed to make this tender.
Pork Recipes
For more pork recipes that I love like this easy slow cooker pork shoulder, check out these recipes.
If you make this, tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram. And if you love the recipe, please leave a review below! Follow along on my Pinterest for more great recipes.
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder
Ingredients
- 1 3-4lb boneless pork shoulder aka "pork butt"*
- 3 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
Instructions
- Place shallots and garlic at the bottom of your slow cooker. If your pork is wrapped in twine, remove the twine/netting. Place pork on top of shallots and garlic in the slow cooker and add the broth.
- Combine spices in a small bowl and rub onto pork. Cover and cook 7-10 hours on low. My 4lb pork shoulder took about 8 hours on low. Remove any fat that's accumulated on the top and pulled apart pork with two forks until shredded. It should shred very easily if done.
- If you want to remove the pork and then reduce the sauce in a separate pan you can. I usually just shred mine in the accumulated juices and serve.
Notes
- Make sure you are buying pork shoulder or pork butt, NOT pork loin.
- Temperatures vary greatly on slow cookers, so judge the cooking time based on that. If yours normally runs hot, go with a lower cooking time.
- If the pulled pork doesn't shred easily you either got the wrong cut of meat, or it is not done cooking.
- For best results, cook on low heat. If you must, this can be cooked on high for about 6 hours.
- Do not use an instant pot slow cooker for this recipe. It is not the same thing as a real slow cooker or crock pot.
Nutrition
This post was originally published as "Pulled Pork with North Carolina BBQ Sauce" January 29, 2018 and was updated April 2022 with new photos, step by step process, side dish ideas, and cooking tips.
Can I make this without the crock pot? I don’t have one 😅
Hey Maria, I'm sorry, but I'd really recommend a crock pot. I've made it before in the oven and it didn't turn out quite as well so I'd have to test more before I could give a recommendation.
Do you have a recipe for a sweet bbq sauce? Kansas City style?
Yes, but its in my cookbook!
The recipe calls for 1 cup of safe stock. But for the crockpot instructions, I don't see this being used? Do I use the stock in the crockpot?
I updated the recipe. You just add it to the crockpot.
Do you buy organic pork at the grocery store for this recipe?
It doesn't need to be organic unless that is your preference. I get it from my grocery store butcher.
I made this in my crock pot. It only took me about 15 mins to prep and was sooo succulent and delicious. I had it in a wrap with spring onion and diced pepper. I have also frozen portions and it reheats well. Great for meal prepping.
This was great! Thanks for sharing. The Pulled Pork I made before this diet required 3 onions to make, lol. Thankfully this tasted great and my husband liked it too! I put his portion in a different crock with the sauce he is used to. I liked my pork plain in its own juices. The cumin was a different twist and such a nice variation. I didn’t even need to use that southern sauce, but I’ve been using it on other things, like potato chips. Nums.
I want to cook this for dinner tonight. How long would you cook this in an Instapot? I also doubled the recipe. Thank you!
You can use this recipe as instructions. You may want to increase the time on it a bit to accommodate the extra meat. Just be aware I think cooking this recipe in an instant pot takes away some of the flavor. It's still good, just not as great as the slow cooker method!
Hi all,
I have not yet tried this recipe but I was wondering if anyone knew of a safe hamburger bun? I know Alicia mentioned it in this article, but I was hoping somebody may have found something that you can quickly grab in times of need.
Hey Caitlyn, You might have better luck with a response in the dizzy cook recipe chat group on facebook. 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/groups/dizzycookrecipechat/
Thank you! I’ve made the sauce before and love the vinegar. It should be amazing with the pork.
I am making this today! Probably I will freeze about half of the pulled pork, since it's just me eating. I will make the sauce later today. Should I freeze the sauce with it, separately, or make a new batch when I thaw out the meat? Any tips for freezing this appreciated!
I would just cut the sauce recipe in half or quarters and make it again. I'm not sure it would be great in the freezer, but it will keep for a while in the fridge as well since it's vinegar based.
This was one of the first recipes I tried after my diagnosis. It made me so happy, because I realized I could still have food that tasted good! It is so easy to make, and everyone loves it! Thanks, Alicia!
I love this BBQ sauce recipe. I’ve used it many times for other things and it’s so good!!
I made this pulled pork this weekend for my family and it was amazing and so easy!!! Flavor was awesome. I did use half of the recommended garlic as others felt four was strong. Next time I may try three cloves of garlic.
The slaw was pretty good. Just a different taste with the Whole30 mayo.
The Carolina sauce had a more vinegar taste then expected. I may try it again and reduce the distilled vinegar and increase the the apple juice and try adding a touch more tomato paste.
Make this pulled pork though, it’s so good and easy.
Haha I try to warn people about the vinegar flavor so they use it sparingly. It's definitely not for everyone, but I love it in this recipe! Let me know how it goes with the changes - I think more apple juice would be great. I do have a more traditional BBQ sauce that I'm really excited about, but I've been working on that one for the book. 🙂 Thanks for all your helpful reviews!
Can’t wait for your book!
Haha, seems so 🙂
I had a question, how long do you think the Carolina BBQ sauce is good for in the fridge?
It should be good up to 2 weeks, but I usually just make half and it doesn't last that long. If you're super sensitive to tyramine, I'd probably only keep it for 3 days.
I've made the pulled pork twice now (with ((super strong garlic flavor)) and without garlic) and the 2nd time I made the bbq sauce finally and did it with a homemade tomato paste... It's very very good! I use it as a dressing for other food too. My taste buds are very happy!
Thanks again for this recipe!
I never thought to use it for a dressing before, but that is a wonderful idea! Kind of like a bbq dressing. Thanks so much for all your wonderful feedback. 🙂 Which do you prefer - a lot of garlic or no garlic? I think I'm usually team garlic!
Haha. Yeah, I used the sauce as a side for when the beef falls out of the enchiladas when you cut them. (your enchilada recipe! So good!). I may try 1 garlic clove next time. It's so much of a garlic bomb with the 4 cloves that it comes out of your pores for awhile haha.
Oh jeez! haha I'm such a garlic lover. Maybe I should edit that down a bit. 🙂