Four Ingredient Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe
Tender, saucy crockpot pulled pork slow-cooked to juicy perfection — pile it high on soft buns with crunchy coleslaw for the easiest, most crowd-pleasing dinner ever.
This crockpot pulled pork recipe is so delicious and easy to make that it is sure to become a family favorite! We love recipes that you can throw into the crockpot and forget for the rest of the day.
Some days you just need a meal that basically cooks itself, and this crockpot gem is exactly that kind of recipe. I can put it together before the day gets really busy, and by dinner, the whole house smells like a BBQ joint — minus the lineups and sticky tables.
This meal was so simple and absolutely loaded with flavor. Build it into sandwiches, keep it warm for family gatherings, or stash a big portion in the fridge for easy meals all week long.
We loaded tender pork shreds onto bakery fresh cheese buns and topped it all off with locally grown, homemade coleslaw for a complete meal in minutes.
Be sure to check out these Crockpot Freezer Meals and Meal Planning Recipes for more tips and ideas.
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This slow cooker meal gives you tender, flavorful meat with almost no effort, thanks to the magic combo of a long cooking time and rich BBQ sauce that soaks into every bite.
The ingredients are simple, the instructions are foolproof, and the juicy protein stretches into multiple meals — whatever creative “leftovers management plan” your week requires. Plus, you can dial up the smoky flavor, sweetness, or heat depending on what your people like.
If you want to add a side dish or two to this easy crockpot pulled pork, baked beans are a classic. I think this grilled corn salad, mac and cheese, or potato salad would be delicious choices too.
Use leftovers to make these delicious pulled pork sliders, pork tacos, burrito bowls, pulled pork nachos, or easy pulled pork pizza!
Crockpot Pulled Pork
I won bonus points with the in-laws during their last visit when I made them these pulled pork sandwiches. In fact, all of us voted this simple meal a keeper.
Ingredients
For the Pork
- Pork shoulder – A juicy, forgiving cut and the best for effortless shredding and maximum flavor. I get mine from Costco.
- Your favorite pork rub – A bold flavor mix that clings to the meat and gives it that golden brown color as it cooks. We like this homemade rub or the pork rub from Traeger.
- Can of beer – Adds steam and liquid to help the pork braise low and slow, though broth or water works too.
- Homemade BBQ Sauce – This rich, tangy sauce soaks into every shred of meat for a smoky, sweet kick. Sweet Baby Ray’s is also a favorite.
For the Coleslaw
- Green cabbage, cut into thin strips – Crunchy and fresh, this is the classic coleslaw base.
- Red cabbage, cut into thin strips – Adds color, bite, and a slightly peppery flavor.
- Carrots, cut into thin strips – Sweet and crunchy, carrots brighten up the slaw both in taste and look.
- Miracle Whip salad dressing – The creamy, tangy binder that brings the dressing together.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Adds a silky finish to bind the dressing.
- White sugar – Just a touch of sweetness to balance the flavors.
- White vinegar – Brings the zippy tang every slaw needs.
- Salt and black pepper – The simple seasoning duo that ties everything together.
- Bakery fresh buns – To hold that pile of pulled pork.
This great recipe serves 6-8 with lots for leftovers the next day.
Instructions
1. Cover the pork shoulder with your dry rub. Be sure to coat all sides.
2. Place the meat in the slow cooker and pour the entire beer around it.
3. Set on low heat and cook for 10 hours.
4. Drain the excess liquid from the slow cooker, then use two forks to shred the pork roast into pieces.
5. Add BBQ sauce and stir to combine, coating all of the pulled pork.
I like to put the lid back on and leave the crockpot on warm until we are ready to build our sandwiches.
6. Mix the dressing ingredients for the coleslaw and toss with the thinly sliced cabbage and carrots. Allow the coleslaw to rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Toss before serving.
7. Layer the pulled pork and coleslaw on your buns and serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Make your own smoked pulled pork with a pork butt roast, apple cider vinegar, BBQ sauce, and dry rub.
- Always check the internal temperature of your meat using an instant read thermometer to make sure it is safe to eat.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings in your pulled pork according to your tastes. Try including garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, or cumin.
- Instead of beer, try using root beer, Coca-Cola, or apple juice.
- For extra smoky flavor, stir in a drop of liquid smoke or use a smoked dry rub.
- Sear the pork in a large skillet before slow cooking for deeper flavor and a smoky edge.
- Toast buns in the oven for a sturdier sandwich that holds up to the juicy meat.
- Store your leftover meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze leftover pork flat in bags for easy reheating and future busy-day meals.
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Tips for Making Crockpot Freezer Meals
- Use 1-gallon, large freezer bags. Label bags with the date, recipe, and cooking instructions.
- Lay ingredients flat in the bag for easier storage in the freezer.
- This 7-quart oval crockpot is the only one that I use and it has lasted for over ten years!
- Defrost meals in the refrigerator or place frozen into the crockpot. If the meal is defrosted, reduce the cooking time accordingly (subtract two hours for most crockpot meals).
- Crockpot meals can easily be converted to Instant Pot recipes using this handy guide from Taste of Home – How to Convert Slow Cooker Recipes for the Instant Pot.
- Store meals for up to three months in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut of pork is best for pulled pork?
The top choice is a pork butt, Boston butt, or boneless pork shoulder roast, because these cuts have enough fat and connective tissue to turn meltingly tender.
How do I keep pulled pork moist in the slow cooker?
Keeping plenty of liquid in the pot — like broth, beer, apple juice, cola, Dr Pepper, or root beer — helps the pork braise gently and stay juicy.
Can I make pulled pork in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Use the manual setting for about 60–70 minutes with a cup of cooking liquid, and let the pressure release naturally for the best texture.
How do I store leftovers?
Store the meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I customize the seasoning?
Absolutely — try garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, pepper, or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy twist.
If you love this easy crockpot pulled pork recipe, please give it a five-star review and help me share it on Facebook and Pinterest!
Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 pound Pork shoulder
- ¼ cup of your favorite pork rub
- 350 ml can beer
- 2 cups
homemade BBQ sauce - ½ green cabbage
- ½ red cabbage
- 3 peeled carrots
- ⅔ cup Miracle Whip salad dressing
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Cover the pork shoulder in rub. Be sure to coat all sides.
- Add the pork to the slow cooker and pour the entire beer in the crockpot as well.
- Set on low and cook for 10 hours.
- Drain the excess liquid from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the pork into pieces.
- Add BBQ sauce and stir to combine, coating all of the pulled pork.
- I like to put the lid back on and leave the crockpot on warm until we are ready to build our sandwiches.
- Mix the dressing ingredients for the coleslaw and toss with the thinly sliced vegetables. Allow the coleslaw to rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Toss before serving.
- Layer the pulled pork and coleslaw on a bakery fresh bun and watch as your family devours every single bite.
Notes
- Make your own smoked pulled pork with a pork butt roast, apple cider vinegar, BBQ sauce, and dry rub.
- Always check the internal temperature of your meat using an instant read thermometer to make sure it is safe to eat.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings in your pulled pork according to your tastes. Try including garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, or cumin.
- Instead of beer, try using root beer, Coca-Cola, or apple juice.
- For extra smoky flavor, stir in a drop of liquid smoke or use a smoked dry rub.
- Sear the pork in a large skillet before slow cooking for deeper flavor and a smoky edge.
- Toast buns in the oven for a sturdier sandwich that holds up to the juicy meat.
- Store your leftover meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze leftover pork flat in bags for easy reheating and future busy-day meals.
Nutrition
oh man! That looks so great! Can i have dinner at your house! LOL
what do u think if I use this pork recipe to fill in flour burritos?
Yum!
I have bought this Costco pulled pork for years but have never cooked in crock pot. Do you follow the directions on the package of the pulled pork and heat pork in microwave for 7 minutes before you add to crockpot?
Nope, I just put it straight into the crockpot.
Can I cook this in the instant pot? If so how many minutes?
Im sure that you could but I dont know for how long, sorry!