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 five ingredients to make this barbecue recipe.
Why We Love This 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 what you’d enjoy at a southern barbecue-joint!
Ingredients You Need
Five thoughtfully selected ingredients give this pulled pork recipe its southern appeal. All you need is:
- 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 also giving it a tangy flavor
- Liquid smoke – brings the smoker flavor right into your slow cooker!
- Brown sugar – makes a great base for a dry rub, as well as bringing in some added sweetness
- Cajun seasoning – great for adding spicy flavoring that balances the sweet brown sugar
Notes about 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 Smoke Pulled Pork
- Pull out your crock pot and gather the necessary ingredients.
- Place the pork butt roast in the pot and pour the liquid smoke and apple cider vinegar all over the meat.
- Mix the brown sugar and seasoning together in a small bowl to create the dry rub.
- Rub the homemade dry rub on the pork and put any leftover seasoning in the liquid at the bottom of the crock pot.
- Cover and let it cook on high for 7 to 8 hours, or on low for 12+ hours.
- Take two forks to shred the meat in the crockpot.
- Serve on 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!
Serving Suggestions
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 a crowd-pleaser at parties, and it’s perfect for freezer meals!
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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.
Looking for More Pork Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- 5 Ingredient Pulled Pork Nacho Recipe
- Sweet Chili Pulled Pork Recipe
- Crock Pot Pork Loin with Vegetables Recipe
- Red Posole with Pork Recipe (Pozole Rojo)
- Magic 2 Ingredient Grilled Pork Tenderloin Recipe
- Grilled Pork Chops and Carolina BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Candied Pecan Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Baked Pears Recipe
- Grilled Pork Chop with Pineapple Salsa Recipe
- Best Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe
Get The Full (Printable) Recipe Below For The Southern Smoked Pulled Pork Recipe. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Smoked Pulled Pork
Video
Ingredients
- 5 pound pork butt roast
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
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.
I am obsessed with slow cooker recipes and this was amazing! We made tacos with it, YUM!
I love a good smoky pulled pork that this recipe makes it so easy to make it at home with minimal effort! Thank you!
Sommer great recipe for pulled pork sandwiches thanks . What does LT. Dan beverage match up with pork sandwiches ? 🥳😷😇