This BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe makes tender, flavorful pork that is slow-cooked until it easily falls apart, then coated in a rich and smoky barbecue sauce. Serve it on toasted buns with coleslaw for an easy family dinner, cookout, or game-day meal.
Why This Recipe Works
- Tender pork: Slow cooking makes the pork incredibly soft and easy to shred.
- Rich BBQ flavor: A flavorful spice rub and barbecue sauce create a delicious smoky-sweet taste.
- Easy preparation: Most of the cooking is hands-off.
- Versatile: Serve it in sandwiches, tacos, wraps, or over baked potatoes.
Ingredients
For the Pork
- 3–4 lb boneless or bone-in pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the BBQ Sauce
- 1½ cups barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
How to Make BBQ Pulled Pork
1. Prepare the Pork
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture generously over all sides of the pork.
2. Prepare the Slow Cooker
Place the sliced onion and minced garlic in the bottom of a slow cooker. Add the seasoned pork shoulder on top.
3. Add the Cooking Liquid
Pour the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar around the pork. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 5–6 hours, until the pork is very tender.
4. Make the BBQ Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika.
5. Shred the Pork
Transfer the cooked pork to a large bowl and let it rest for a few minutes. Remove any large pieces of fat, then shred the pork using two forks.
6. Add the BBQ Sauce
Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker. Pour in the BBQ sauce mixture and stir well. Cover and cook for another 20–30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
7. Serve
Serve the BBQ pulled pork hot on toasted buns with coleslaw, pickles, or your favorite barbecue sides.
Tips for the Best BBQ Pulled Pork
- Pork shoulder or pork butt works best because it has enough fat to stay juicy during slow cooking.
- Don’t rush the cooking process; the pork should be tender enough to pull apart easily.
- Let the pork rest briefly before shredding.
- Add extra BBQ sauce if you prefer a saucier sandwich.
- For crispy edges, spread some shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes before serving.
Final Thoughts
This BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe is an easy way to make tender, juicy, barbecue-style pork at home. The combination of flavorful spices, slow-cooked pork, and tangy BBQ sauce makes it perfect for sandwiches, family dinners, cookouts, and casual gatherings.
