A Spicy Perspective

Slow Cooker Smoked Pulled Pork

Southern Slow Cooker Smoked Pulled Pork – An easy crock pot pulled pork recipe that tastes like smoky southern pit barbecue! Plus, it only takes 5 ingredients to make this barbecue recipe. 

shredded pork in the crockpot

Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe (Slow Cooker Method)

You know, it’s a crying shame we don’t all have giant smoke pits in our backyards. Due to lack of space, money, or desire, smoke pits just aren’t practical for everyone.

Yet who doesn’t love rich succulent southern pit-style pulled pork, with its smoky essence and savory-sweet bite?

Well, believe it or not, you can make some pretty amazing pulled pork in your crockpot.

Our 5-Ingredient Southern Slow Cooker Pulled Pork takes less than 5 minutes to prep and tastes very similar to southern barbecue-joint pork.

southern bbq sandwich served on a bun

What Ingredients You Will Need

Five thoughtfully selected ingredients give this pulled pork recipe its southern appeal. All you need is:

  • A Large Pork Butt Roast this is the best cut that you can use, but not the only cut of meat you can use
  • Apple Cider Vinegar helps to break down the meat making it more tender and it also giving it tangy flavor
  • Liquid Smokebrings the smoker flavor right into your slow cooker! 
  • Brown Sugarmakes a great base for a dry rub as well as bringing in some added sweetness
  • Cajun Seasoninggreat for adding spicy flavoring that balances the sweet brown sugar

Behind the Ingredients 

The apple cider vinegar and brown sugar provide the pork roast with that distinct Carolina barbecue flavor. The liquid smoke emulates the flavor of classic pit-barbecue, so you don’t need a backyard pit barbecue.

And the cajun seasoning bumps up the overall appeal, bringing all the other flavors together.

After a day of slow cooking in your crockpot, mingling with the tangy-salty-sweet ingredients, the pork roast breaks down into shreds of porky ecstasy.

How to Make This Slow Cooked Pulled Pork

  1. Pull out your crock pot and gather the necessary ingredients.
  2. Place the pork butt roast in the pot and pour the liquid smoke and apple cider vinegar all over the meat. 
  3. Mix the brown sugar and seasoning together in a small bowl to create the dry rub.
  4. Rub the homemade dry rub on the pork and put any leftover seasoning in the liquid at the bottom of the crock pot.
  5. Cover and let it cook on high for 7 to 8 hours, or on low for 12+ hours. 
  6. Take two forks to shred the meat in the crockpot. 
  7. Serve on a buns to make pulled pork sandwiches or serve next to coleslaw, collard greens, and homemade cornbread. 

 Get The Full (Printable) Recipe Below For The Southern Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe. Enjoy! 

5-Ingredient Southern Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is so soft and mouthwatering, you won’t believe it came out of your crockpot!

Enjoy it as a main course with southern sides, or pile in on rolls for sandwiches. I even like to use this easy pulled pork recipe on nachos, in tacos, and in soups!

Plus, 5-Ingredient Southern Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is a great make-ahead dish.

It’s fabulous for parties and for planning freezer meals as well!

shredded meat in a crockpot ready to serve

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Cut Of Pork For This Recipe? 

In this recipe, I like to use pork butt roast, but you could also use shoulder roast or boston butt. I would look for a cut of pork that has a little bit of fat in it, but not an overabundant amount. The fat will create great flavor, but you also don’t want to be eating large chunks of fat, or have to pick them out after cooking.

Why Is My Crock Pot Meat So Tough? 

If your pork is still tough, that means that it has not cooked long enough. There are connective tissues inside the meat that need to break down completely and melt into the meat, which then makes the pork so tender it falls apart with a touch by a fork. 

How Long Does This Recipe Last? 

Keep it in an airtight container, in the fridge, for three to five days. After that, it’s best to freeze the pork. If well wrapped, you can freeze it for up to six months.

shredded meat on a bun with pickles

Other Great Dinner Recipes

5-Ingredient Southern Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
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5 from 16 votes
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Slow Cooker Smoked Pulled Pork

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
5-Ingredient Southern Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe – An easy crock pot pulled pork recipe that tastes like smoky southern pit barbecue!
Servings: 20

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the pork roast in a large oval 8 quart slow cooker. Pour the vinegar, liquid smoke, and 1/4 cup water in the bottom of the crock.
  • Mix the brown sugar and Cajun seasoning together. Rub it all over the pork roast, then pour the leftovers in the bottom of the crock.
  • Cover the slow cooker. Cook on high for 7-8 hours, or on low for 12+ hours. Once the meat is fork-tender and falling apart, use two forks to shred the pork roast right in the juices. Mix well to coat.

Video

Notes

Serve with southern sides, or on sandwiches, nachos, and tacos!

Nutrition

Serving: 8ounces, Calories: 162kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 71mg, Sodium: 58mg, Potassium: 445mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 345IU, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 0.8mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier

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22 comments on “Slow Cooker Smoked Pulled Pork”

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  3. I am obsessed with slow cooker recipes and this was amazing! We made tacos with it, YUM!

  4. I love a good smoky pulled pork that this recipe makes it so easy to make it at home with minimal effort! Thank you! 

  5. Sommer great recipe for pulled pork sandwiches thanks . What does LT. Dan beverage match up with pork sandwiches ? 🥳😷😇

  6. Easy dinner thanks to the crock pot! The leftovers are even better too!

  7. Super easy and amazing flavor! you can even use this to create so many other recipes! 

  8. I made this, and I’m making it again! Love the liquid smoke flavor, who would have thunk it?! You did and thank you.

  9. Love this recipe!! i’m about to make it again and carry for Christmas dinner for my family :) also have about a lb saved in freezer for making Brunswick stew for a side dish! very easy and tasty!

  10. My family loved this!! It was sooo easy. I used a 5 lb bone in butt roast. Added a little extra garlic powder and black pepper. Roasted fat side up in high for 7 hours. It was super tender and delicious! I served on garlic butter toasted slider buns with home made Cole slaw. Yum!!

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  16. Made this today and it was fabulous! Full of flavor but not overpowering. Really good on a bun with a pile of cole slaw on top!

  17. Hi Sommer, I’ve never made pulled pork before this recipe. You excellent instructions and simple recipe made this so easy– and best of all my husband loved it (me, too)! Thanks so much!

  18. I love when the crockpot can do all the work for me!

  19. Such simple and tasty sandwiches!

  20. This looks so insanely good and would seriously be the best base for a ton of different dishes!

  21. Pulled pork perfection!!

  22. Such a great dinner idea!!