Introduction
Making delicious barbecue pork in a crock pot is an easy, mess-free way to feed a crowd. By using a few simple ingredients and letting the slow cooker do the work, you can have flavorful pulled pork ready with barely any hands-on effort. Follow these steps to make falling-apart tender bbq pork in the convenience of a crock pot.
Ingredients
- 3-5 lbs pork shoulder roast or pork butt
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon each salt, garlic powder, onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Steps
Prepare the Pork
- Pat the pork dry with paper towels and trim off any excess fat. Season all over with the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Place the pork in the slow cooker. Pour the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika over top.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours, until very tender.
Shred and Serve
- Carefully remove the pork from the crock pot and place on a cutting board or platter.
- Using two forks, shred the pork by pulling it apart into strands.
- Return the shredded pork to the crock pot and toss to coat in the cooking juices.
- Serve warm on buns with extra barbecue sauce on the side. Enjoy!
Tips
- Choose a fattier cut of pork for more moist and tender meat. Look for a pork shoulder roast or pork butt.
- Let the pork cook undisturbed to prevent it from drying out. Don’t take the lid off unnecessarily.
- Make sure the pork is very well shredded before serving. This allows it to soak up all the delicious flavors.
- Add extra spices to the sauce if desired. Chili powder, cumin, mustard powder all pair well.
- Serve bbq pork sandwiches with classic sides like coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of barbecue sauce works best?
Any store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce will work well. For homemade, combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire, spices.
Can I cook it on high instead of low?
It’s best to cook low and slow. Cooking on high may cause the pork to dry out. Stick to the 8-10 hour cook time.
Do I need to sear the pork first?
No searing required! The long cooking time gives great flavor without that extra step.
What if my pork isn’t shredding easily?
If after 8-10 hours the pork seems tough, cover and cook for another 1-2 hours until fall-apart tender.
Can I prep this the night before?
Absolutely! Assemble everything in the crock pot then refrigerate overnight. In the morning, cook on low 8-10 hours.
Conclusion
BBQ pork made in the crockpot results in incredibly moist, flavorful and tender meat with barely any work involved. The secret is low and slow cooking to break down the pork over time. Follow the simple steps above for finger-licking pulled pork sandwiches everyone will love. Adjust spices to your taste and add your favorite bbq sauce. Happy crockpot cooking!