If you’re looking for comfort food that’s effortless, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd, you can’t go wrong with 16 easy slow cooker BBQ pulled pork recipes. Slow cooker pulled pork is one of those magical dishes where simple ingredients transform into something deeply rich and satisfying—all while you go about your day.
Why Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Is a Must-Try
Slow cooker BBQ pulled pork is popular for good reason. It’s affordable, incredibly versatile, and nearly impossible to mess up. Pork shoulder (also called pork butt) becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after hours of low, slow cooking.
Benefits of Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Minimal prep and hands-off cooking
- Budget-friendly meat cut
- Perfect for meal prep or parties
- Freezer-friendly leftovers
- Customizable flavors
If you’re searching online for 16 easy slow cooker BBQ pulled pork, you’re likely looking for variety—and that’s exactly what this article delivers.
Best Cut of Pork for Pulled Pork
Before jumping into the recipes, let’s talk meat.
- Pork shoulder (pork butt) – Best choice, juicy and flavorful
- Boneless or bone-in – Both work well
- Avoid pork loin – Too lean, dries out easily
Most recipes below use pork shoulder for best results.
Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
- Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours for the best texture
- Shred pork while hot using two forks
- Add BBQ sauce after shredding for better flavor control
- Let pork rest 10–15 minutes before shredding
Now let’s dive into the main event.
16 Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipes
1. Classic Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, salt, pepper, onion, garlic, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Season pork generously. Place onion and garlic in the slow cooker, add pork, and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Shred and mix with BBQ sauce. Serve on buns.
2. Sweet Honey BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Cook pork with vinegar on LOW for 8 hours. Shred and stir in honey and BBQ sauce for a sweet finish.
3. Smoky Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, chipotle peppers in adobo, BBQ sauce, paprika
Instructions:
Blend chipotle peppers with BBQ sauce. Cook pork until tender, shred, and coat with smoky sauce.
4. Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, chili flakes
Instructions:
Cook pork with vinegar and spices. Shred and toss with tangy vinegar sauce—perfect for slaw-topped sandwiches.
5. Coca-Cola BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, Coca-Cola, BBQ sauce, garlic
Instructions:
Pour Coke over pork and cook on LOW. Shred, drain excess liquid, then mix with BBQ sauce.
6. Root Beer BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, root beer, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Slow cook pork in root beer for 8 hours. Shred and stir in BBQ sauce for a rich, sweet flavor.
7. Spicy Jalapeño BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, jalapeños, BBQ sauce, cayenne
Instructions:
Cook pork with sliced jalapeños. Shred and add BBQ sauce with cayenne for heat lovers.
8. Maple BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, pure maple syrup, BBQ sauce, mustard
Instructions:
Slow cook pork until tender. Shred and mix with maple syrup, mustard, and BBQ sauce.
9. Garlic Lovers BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, whole garlic cloves, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Cook pork with plenty of garlic. Shred and mix with BBQ sauce infused with garlic flavor.
10. Bourbon BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, bourbon, brown sugar, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Add bourbon and sugar to the pork. Cook low and slow, shred, and stir in BBQ sauce.
11. Pineapple BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, pineapple juice, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Cook pork in pineapple juice. Shred and mix with BBQ sauce for sweet tropical notes.
12. Mustard BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, yellow mustard, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Rub pork with mustard. Cook until tender, shred, and mix with mustard-based BBQ sauce.
13. Brown Sugar BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, brown sugar, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Slow cook pork with brown sugar. Shred and combine with BBQ sauce for deep sweetness.
14. Apple Cider BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, apple cider, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Cook pork in apple cider. Shred and add BBQ sauce for a fruity tang.
15. Dry Rub BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, BBQ sauce
Instructions:
Rub pork with spices. Cook until tender, shred, and lightly coat with BBQ sauce.
16. No-Sauce Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (Sauce Optional)
Ingredients:
Pork shoulder, onion, garlic, spices
Instructions:
Cook pork with spices only. Shred and let guests add their favorite BBQ sauce.
How to Serve BBQ Pulled Pork
- On toasted brioche buns
- Over-baked potatoes
- In tacos or wraps
- With coleslaw and cornbread
- As a pizza or nacho topping
Storing and Reheating Pulled Pork
- Refrigerator: Up to 4 days
- Freezer: Up to 3 months
- Reheat: Low heat with a splash of broth or BBQ sauce
Final Thoughts
These 16 easy slow cooker BBQ pulled pork recipes prove that delicious, tender pulled pork doesn’t require fancy techniques or expensive ingredients. With a slow cooker and a little patience, you can create endless variations that suit every taste—from sweet and smoky to bold and spicy.
