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Pulled pork sandwich topped with creamy coleslaw and barbecue sauce on a white plate
ThymeToSauté

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This slow cooker pork is seared first for extra flavor, then cooked low and slow until perfectly tender and easy to shred. Juicy, smoky, and incredibly versatile. Perfect for sandwiches, meal prep, or feeding a crowd with minimal effort.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 490

Ingredients
  

  • 3 –4 lb pork shoulder Boston butt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for searing
Dry Rub
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
Slow Cooker Liquid
  • 1 cup apple juice
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce plus more for serving

Method
 

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels to help it brown properly.
  2. Mix all dry rub ingredients together and coat the pork evenly, pressing the seasoning into the surface.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Sear the pork on all sides until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Dry rub can sear quickly, check it every 30 seconds to prevent burning. If your roast has heat-safe netting, you can leave it on during searing it helps maintain shape and makes transferring easier. Remove it later before shredding. Make sure it is heat safe, if you are unsure, it is better to remove before searing.
  5. Place the seared pork into the slow cooker.
  6. Pour the apple juice and apple cider vinegar around the sides of the pork rather than directly over the top to preserve the seasoning crust. Add ½ cup BBQ sauce.
  7. Cook: LOW: 8–10 hours HIGH: 5–6 hours
  8. The pork is done when it easily pulls apart with a fork.