This slow cooker pulled pork is the ultimate “set it and forget” dinner that turns out fall-apart tender meat that’s incredibly flavorful every time!
Why You’ll Love This Pulled Pork
When I’m not making carnitas for taco night, this all-American pulled pork recipe is what gets my friends and family excited to come over for summer BBQs. It’s one of those dishes that makes you feel like a backyard pitmaster, yet it couldn’t be any easier in your Crockpot or slow cooker. The meat is juicy and fall-apart tender, and the spice rub hits all the right notes. If you’re after those same rave reviews I get every time I serve it, here’s why you’ll love making it:
- Prep takes just 5 minutes. The slow cooker handles the rest!
- The rub is spot on. Savory, spiced, and packed with flavor, it’s everything you want in classic pulled pork.
- It’s perfect for a variety of meals. Think pulled pork tacos, sliders, bowls, and more. I’ll share a few ideas below!
Pulled Pork Ingredients
- Pork shoulder: Boneless pork shoulder is what you need (also called pork butt or Boston butt). Look for one that’s well-marbled but not too fatty on the outside. You can always trim any excess fat off as well. Bone-in pork shoulder works too, but I prefer a boneless one for more meat-to-bone ratio in the slow cooker.
- Spice rub: My go-to blend is paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. It’s flavorful-spicy (not heat-spicy) and totally addictive. If you’ve made my brisket rub before, this one’s similar, but a little bit more savory and less smoky-sweet.
- Aromatics: Diced yellow onion, fresh garlic, and a splash of orange juice to round everything out and add a subtle brightness to the final flavor.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Step 1: Mix the paprika, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper together, then generously rub the spice blend all over the pork shoulder. Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker, then add the diced onion, garlic, and orange juice on top.
Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. When it’s done, the pork should shred easily with two forks. Transfer it to a cutting board, shred, then return to the juices in the slow cooker to keep everything tender and flavorful.
What to Serve with Pulled Pork
- Go classic BBQ: Serve with sides like coleslaw, cucumber salad, potato salad, and baked beans for the ultimate summer cookout, especially as a 4th of July recipe, Memorial Day recipe, or Labor Day recipe.
- Add some sauce: Toss it with my homemade BBQ sauce for a saucier pulled pork that’s always a hit.
- Holiday centerpiece: Serve with mashed potatoes (or mashed sweet potatoes) and roasted veggies for a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal.
- Savory breakfast: Pair leftovers with a fried or poached egg for a protein-packed breakfast.
Storage Tips
If you don’t eat it all in one sitting (which is rare in my house), this pulled pork is a meal prep dream. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months. Perfect for future taco nights or quick lunches!
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Birria: The spices and flavor in this are so good.
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast: The best all-in-one meal for fall and winter.
- Barbacoa: The best shredded Mexican beef.
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken: A great way to cook a whole chicken with ease.
- Or give these other slow cooker recipes a try!
If you make this slow cooker pulled pork recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
Description
Video
Equipment
- Slow Cooker My favorite slow cooker!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make the spice rub. In a small bowl, mix the paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cumin together.
- Prep everything else. Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Add the diced onion, garlic, and orange juice on top.
- Slow cook. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. When it’s done, the pork should shred easily with two forks. Transfer it to a cutting board, shred, then return to the juices in the slow cooker to keep everything tender and flavorful.
Lisa’s Tips
- Storage tip: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months. Perfect for future taco nights or quick lunches!
- You can add some of the remaining liquid from the slow cooker to the pulled pork for extra moisture.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
This recipe was originally posted May 2015, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!
Who doesn’t love a pulled pork slider or sandwich?This is a go to for hosting baseball or football parties. Add a batch of baked beans,chips and slaw. Bingo! Always a big hit.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Elida!!
Flavorful, moist and amazing! ! My family loves when they smell this cooking
Happy to hear the whole family loves this pulled pork recipe, Sharon!
Made the pulled pork recipe and followed the directions to the “T” and it was delish.
We put them on buns with BBQ sauce and the family devoured them. Also made the baked beans recipe to go with it and it also was the perfect complement to the pulled pork.
Yay! Glad this pulled pork recipe was such a hit, Rita!
Every time I’ve made your pulled pork the guests always want the recipe. This is a big win for friends and family. It’s delicious!
Great to hear the whole family loves this pulled pork recipe, Debbie!
Oh my goodness Lisa!! Thank you for teaching us the BEST slow cooked pork EVER!! That’s saying a lot, because I’ve made slow cooked pork for decades. This is so delicious-but each simple ingredient has a crucial role & lends to the earthy smoky smell and taste. Buy the salt, it’s no joke! And of course the Liquid Smoke! It was so good for my daughter’s birthday, we made it again a few days later!! Should I feel shame? I don’t!!!
No shame at all if it’s that good! Glad this recipe has become such a hit, Ruth.
So tender and juicy. This is a staple meal prep item in our home.
Happy to hear this pulled pork has become a staple for your meal prep, Amy!
I made this with your coleslaw recipe. Both were delicious. The seasoned rub for the pork was perfect. Got a lot of compliments on how tasty it was. The coleslaw was creamy and not hard to make. I have printed these recipes to keep close at hand.
The perfect summer cookout dinner! Glad your pulled pork worked out perfectly, Lynea.
This is a favorite in our house! I make it once a month to eat one for at least a week. It’s so good with homemade gf tortilla and guacamole, but I also make grain bowls and salads with it.
Great to hear this has become a meal prep staple, Melissa!
This is the best pork recipe, it is very easy to make. This recipe will be one that you make regularly. Everyone in the family will enjoy this pork!
Thrilled you found a pulled pork recipe the whole family loves, Dixie!
I made this with a side of your mashed potato recipe and broccoli. It came out delicious
Mashed potatoes and broccoli are a great pairing with this pulled pork. Happy you loved the recipe!
This was so easy and so flavoursome! I didn’t have an orange so used grapefruit which was fine. I then put all the left over liquid/onion/garlic in the whiz and it made a beautiful sauce to pour over the pork to keep it really juicy. This will now be my go-to recipe. Thanks!
Love that you turned the leftover liquid into a sauce!
This is a summertime staple. It is delicious, tender and full of flavor. Thanks Lisa!
Glad you’re loving this pulled pork recipe!
I’ve made this many times and my family loves it. It is so tender and flavorful.
Great to hear this pulled pork has become a family favorite, Connie!
Made this a few days ago and it is fabulous!
Glad your pulled pork was a success, Vicki!
Lisa, can you use a Dutch oven. I don’t have a slow cooker Would timing change? What temperature should the oven be? Thanks!
Will a pork loin work for a pulled pork recipe? If so, do I need to change anything in this recipe?
Love this recipe!! Ate with seasoned veggies and it was delish. The next night mixed the remains with sugar free bbq sauce and it was soooo good
Sounds like some delicious pairings, Amanda!
I made the pulled pork for the first time. The favor was excellent. Plus I love being able to use the crockpot and forget it. The pork was tender, flavorful and most. I will make again
Amazing! I’m glad your first time making pulled pork was a success with this recipe, Lucy.
Hi Lisa. We really enjoyed your pulled pork recipe. It is a nice change from using a tomato based sauce. And great that We usually have most of the ingredients in the house. Very tasty, versatile and easy! Thank-you for the recipe and many others that are all delicious! Gail Hall, Ottawa, On., Canada.
Hi Gail – Happy to hear you’re loving this pulled pork recipe so much!
Can you substitute Apple cider for orange juice and if so how much cider would you use?
Delicious pulled pork. I’ve made it before and will be making it again. Wouldn’t change a thing!
I’m so glad you’re loving this pulled pork recipe, Cyndi!
Greetings! Thank you for posting this fabulous recipe. I’m wondering I only had access to bone-in pork shoulder butt. With bone-in how would that change the crockpot cooking time? Thanks! I’m excited to get started on this recipe!
Hi JC – a bone-in pork should usually takes a bit longer to cook, so you may need an extra hour or two. You’ll know it’s done when it shreds easily. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
Her slow cooker pulled pork is fabulous! I’ve made it several times and have not changed a thing. It’s moist, flavorful and doesn’t even need to be topped with BBQ sauce or slaw. The orange juice really pulls the flavors together.
Thrilled to hear you’re loving this pulled pork recipe, Debbie!
So yummy!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Danielle!
I am trying this recipe and can not use citrus fruit is is possible to substitute with apple cider vinegar?
Hi Lisa – I haven’t tried that, but I think that should work just fine. Let us know how it turns out!
Lisa can you tell me how long I have to cook a 10 lb, pork shoulder! I have to have it done tomorrow. I have looked on here some say 4 to 5 hours and 10 to 15 hour! I am in stress mode. Help me if you can!
Thanks
Hi Diane – it depends on if you’re cooking on low or high heat. A 10 pound pork shoulder doesn’t need double the time, but likely 1.5x the time. So if you’re cooking it on low that may look like 13-15 hours or on high 6-9 hours. But you’ll always know when it’s done as it will shred easily and fall apart. If it doesn’t shred easily, continue cooking for a little bit longer. Hope that helps!
I made this and while it did shred up nicely, i was looking for a little more flavor. When I make it next time, I will add a few additional spices so that it has more flavor. Love the easy part of putting it in a crockpot.
Hi Susan – if you’d like a bit more spicy flavor, make sure to check out my carnitas recipe!
I’m making the Slow cooker pulled pork AGAIN today. It’s a favorite. I’ll serve with mashed cauliflower. I’m diabetic, and generally eat a low carb diet. I keep my glucose numbers in range without using much insulin. I have found that many of Lisa’s recipes fit well into my diet. A big bonus: her recipes are always delicious. Not a clinker in the bunch that I have tried!
Hi Jeanne – That’s great to hear many of my recipes fit the bill for what you’re looking for, including this slow cooker pulled pork!
Hi, I only have a pork leg, do I need to make any adjustments to the recipe? More liquid, time difference?
Thanks
I look forward making this as most recipes are just bbq sauce.
Can you freeze this? Freezer friendly?
Yes, absolutely!