Are you ready for a super easy and oh-so-good slow cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork Recipe? You can’t beat this one! It’s made in the crockpot and could not be any easier. Toss 3 ingredients into the crockpot, walk away for 8 to 10 hours and the results are an amazingly delicious BBQ Pulled Pork!
3 Ingredient Barbecue Pulled Pork Recipe {In the Slow Cooker}
When it comes to pulled pork, low and slow is the way you want to cook your pork. And that’s why a slow cooker is the perfect kitchen appliance for making pulled pork.
The good news is, this recipe is almost impossible to mess up!
This BBQ Pulled Pork is made with only 3 ingredients and doesn’t require pre-searing. Eight or so hours on low and your friends and family will be happy little campers, I promise!
What is the Best Cut of Meat for Pulled Pork?
For the best pulled pork, you want to start with the right cut of meat.
Look for a pork shoulder first, or then a large pork sirloin or loin (not tenderloin) if you don’t see either of these, then a “Boston Butt” will work as well.
I do prefer the shoulder or loin for when I am doing a BBQ Pulled Pork as it has a bit less fat.
I like the Boston Butt for recipes without barbeque sauce. (The Boston Butt cut comes from above the shoulder and has lots of good fat for when you are using less liquid (like this Beer Marinated Pulled Pork.)
If you use a Boston Butt, you might want to spoon off some of the extra fat from the cooking liquid before shredding.
Can You Overcook Pulled Pork?
It’s pretty hard to overcook a pork shoulder or Boston Butt when using a crockpot. As long as there’s moisture in the slow cooker, it should be fine. (Just one of the reasons I love my new hamilton beach slow cooker with a clear lid. I can always see what’s going on)
Ingredients in this BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
The 3 super secret ingredients you use in this Crock-Pot Barbecue Pulled Pork recipe?
That’s right!
- A can of Dr. Pepper
- Barbeque sauce (Head Country is my new favorite BBQ Sauce)
- Pork
Yep, just those three little ingredients.
And before you ask…
Yes, you can use Root Beer or other dark soda.
And yes, diet soda will work too.
It’s the sweet flavor of the soda that cooks down and complements the pork and barbeque sauce that makes this recipe so great.
Slow Cooker Tip:
Have you tried these slow cooker liners yet? They are so awesome- makes for a 5 second clean up, I promise. Add them to your next Amazon order here or look for them in the plastic wrap/sandwich bag section of your local grocery store.
How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
You will love how easy this recipe is to make. No sauteing, no searing, just place your pork in the slow cooker and “dump” in the soda and BBQ sauce. Set your slow cooker for 8 to 10 hours and go on about your day.
When the pork is finished cooking, you will remove the pork from the slow cooker and place into a large bowl. Let the pork rest about 10 minutes and then shred away.
After shredding, add in about a cup of the bbq sauce and several spoonfuls of the cooking liquid, Just use your judgment on how much juice to add back in.
You want the pulled pork to be juicy, but not dripping and the amount of cooking liquid needed will depend on the amount of fat in the pork and the size of the cut. (You can always put aside some of the cooking juice <in the fridge> for later if needed.)
When I make this BBQ Pulled Pork recipe for the family, they are So happy, and even picky eater will ask for seconds.
It’s also a crowd-pleaser, so it’s a great recipe for potlucks and game day spreads.
Can I Make this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Ahead of Time?
Pulled pork is definitely a recipe that can be made ahead of time. (Perfect if you are trying to get a head start on the week or prepping for a party.)
Leftover pork will be good in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, but for best results, I would just make the pulled pork the day before for a party. (And also keep an extra half cup or so of the cooking liquid in case you think the pulled pork is looking a bit drier than you would like.)
I recommend reheating the pork in the microwave on 50% power and then you can put it back into the crockpot to keep warm while serving.
What to Serve with Pulled Pork
- Southern-Style Potato Salad
- Classic Creamy Coleslaw
- Corn Pudding
- Grilled Corn
- Baked Potatoes
- Macaroni Salads
What To Do with Leftover Pulled Pork
- Well, sandwiches of course! Try baking them as I did with these Baked BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Or BBQ Pulled Pork Stuffed Potatoes
- Potato Nachos
- Tacos
- Pulled pork is even great mixed into Mac and Cheese!
More Pork Recipes you might like:
3 Ingredient Barbecue Pulled Pork Recipe {In the Slow Cooker}
If you make this recipe, be sure to come back and let us know what you think.
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Slow Cooker 3 Ingredient BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours
- Total Time: 10 hours
- Yield: depends on the size of your pork shoulder
- Category: main dish
- Method: slow cooker
Description
Are you ready for a super easy and so good slow cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork Recipe? You can’t beat this one, it’s made in the crockpot and could not be any easier…
Ingredients
- 1 Pork shoulder roast
- 1 can of Dr. Pepper or Root Beer
- 2 cups of barbecue sauce, one for now and one for later (I have tried several barbecue sauces and this one is my favorite. I stumbled across it as a free item at my grocery store.)
Instructions
- Place the pork roast in your Crock Pot. Pour Dr. Pepper on top, followed by 1 cup of barbecue sauce.
- Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
- When the roast is done, remove from the Crock-Pot, let rest for about 10 minutes and shred with 2 forks.
- Mix 3 or 4 tablespoons (or more if you think it needs it) of the juice from the crock pot back in the meat in along with another cup of the barbecue sauce.
Serve on rolls or bread with pickles and onions.
Keywords: slow cooker, pork
Katie says
This looks easy and delicious! Thank you for linking up to Sew Woodsy today. Unfortunately, I had to remove this link because we are a craft only link party! 🙂
Angie says
I just pinned this recipe, since it looks so good 🙂 Can't wait to try it!
Not Your Ordinary Agent says
I'm pinning it too! So easy! I've never used the crockpot liners, but you've convinced me to!. Nice. Would you please link this great recipe to Foodie Friday?
Miz Helen says
Hi Jamie,
Yum indeed! This is an awesome recipe that we would really enjoy. Hope you are going to have a wonderful week end and thanks for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Kadie says
You had me at Dr. Pepper! Can't go wrong with that as an ingredient!! Thanks for sharing. I will be trying this soon.
Emily says
hi! This looks amazing! I would love for you to come over and link up to my Tasty Tuesday Party…
Not Your Ordinary Agent says
yay! Thank you for linking this to Foodie Friday! I cannot wait to try it. 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your weekend and stop by next week or sooner.
Kim Bee says
New subscriber hopping from VB. Day late to the party. Crazy weekend. This is a great recipe. I want to try those liners. My sis swears by them.
Anita Stephen says
Hi Jamie
Love your blog. I live in South Africa, your recipe looks great, just not sure what Dr Pepper? Is it ginger based? Ginger beer?
Jamie says
Dr pepper is a sweet soft drink. Root beer works well too.
Kacie says
This meal was the easiest thing I’ve ever made. Honestly it kinda sounded gross but I thought I would give it a shot. While I was at work my fiancé texted me “Omg that pork is amazing! I’m eating it without bbq sauce” (he never eats anything without it lol) thank you!
Jamie says
lol, glad you liked it! It’s all that sugar in the dr pepper that makes it so good.
Samantha Perkins says
I made this tonight but totally forgot about step 4. Family enjoyed it so hopefully next time I will do all the steps
★★★★★
Jamie says
Adding a bit of the cooking liquid back in helps keep the pulled pork from being too dry. It really depends on how much fat was in your cut of pork on whether it needs it or not, but I definitely recommend adding more bbq sauce after shredding!
Deborah Chapman says
Could you cook this on high,
jen p says
This recipe was so easy and we all enjoyed it, thanks!
★★★★★
Jeweline says
Could you use Diet Dr. Pepper?
Jamie Sanders says
You can (and I have) 🙂
Tina Thompson says
Hello, this was a great way to make pulled pork out of a can? I made Brown rice and strained the pork into a saucepan after cooking in the slow cooker, using the juices to make an amazing gravy ?
Alisa says
Made this today!! My whole house smells amazing! So easy and it’s super delicious! Thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Amy says
Can I do this in my instant pot? Do you know how long if so? So excited to try this.
Jamie Sanders says
Of course, Just give it an hour, it will be great.
Jackie says
I did this for our church get together yesterday and it was the first empty (and scrapped clean!) crockpot ! I used Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce, Barq’s rootbeer and added two sliced, purple onions. I turned it on low at 10pm Saturday night and it was ready to take to church with us at 8am Sunday morning! Left it on warm until lunch time and it came out perfect!
Anne Hunt says
Please can I ask- what weight is your pork shoulder joint on average that you use for this? I live in the UK so our joints range in size from 500g ( approximately1.1 lb )upwards. I would love to make this for a upcoming party. Thank you.
Jamie Sanders says
Anywhere from 3 to 5 lbs. Anything larger, you might consider cutting into a couple of pieces and increasing the liquids by a bit.
Nancy says
If you have a smaller pork loin, about 1-1.5 lbs… how much should I decrease the time by?
Jamie Sanders says
Maybe an hour?
Joe R says
Cooking on high? 5 hrs?
Jamie Sanders says
you could try it, but I recommend slow for 8 to 10 hours
Darlene says
Do you trim the fat off the roast first?
Jamie Sanders says
No, but if there is an excessive amount, you might consider trimming it. Fat is part of why it tastes so good, and you are only using a few tablespoons of te cooking liquid.
Grandma Debbie says
Made this today and there won’t be any leftovers!!!
DELICIOUS!! And easy! What a combination!
★★★★★
Barbie says
I make this all the time. Also I always use the crock pot bags when cooking in the crock pot. Makes it so easy to clean. Thanks for sharing with others who have never made this.
★★★★★
Stacy says
I’m curious, any chance you have ever tried cooking with Coke or Pepsi instead of Root Beer or Dr. Pepper? Just wondering if that would work just the same. I read where you said that any dark cola would work but I want to make sure mine turns out delicious like yours (and using something we already keep at home to drink vs. going out and buying something we don’t). 🙂
Jamie Sanders says
I haven’t but I think you will be fine, its just the sugar that makes it so good.