This simple slow cooker pulled pork recipe is the perfect way to cook a pork shoulder roast. For the best flavor, I brown the pork roast with a spice rub, then it slow cooks for hours until it falls apart when pressed with a fork. Use this shredded pork for salads, sandwiches, and bowls!
Fall Apart Tender Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This is the perfect set-it-and-forget it recipe. It’s amazing to have a big batch of protein in the fridge ready to assemble meals around, especially when it tastes this good!
While you can simply add a pork roast with spices directly in to the crockpot, this method first sears the meat to create a deeper flavor. The extra step is worth the effort.
The slow cooker is a great method for cooking a pork shoulder. The connective tissue breaks down and the fat is rendered, leaving you with tender meat that falls apart. I love this recipe for days we will be busy in the evenings. I prepare it early in the day and come home to an amazing protein option. It takes about 20 minutes of prep work and the rest is hands off!
Pulled pork is often made with barbecue sauce. Toss the shredded pork in your favorite sauce, or whip up this healthier Honey BBQ Sauce (made with honey and apple cider vinegar).
After you’ve tried this, plain and simple, you’ll realize simple spices and the natural juices make the perfect pulled pork, sans unnecessary sauce!
We use this for tacos, in rice bowls, or on salads. I also love it warmed up and served with my eggs in the morning.
What You’ll Need
- Pork Shoulder Roast (About a 3 1/2 lb roast. A pork butt or Boston butt is the best cut of meat. A pork sirloin roast can also use used but the cooking time needs reduced since it’s a leaner piece or pork.)
- Kosher salt
- Paprika, Cumin, Oregano
- Black Pepper
- Yellow Onion
- Garlic (or use garlic powder in the spice rub)
- Avocado Oil
How to Make Pulled Pork in a Crockpot
Step 1: Add chopped onions and garlic to the bottom of the crock pot.
Step 2: Mix together the Kosher salt and seasonings.
Step 3: Cut the pork shoulder roast into large chunks. Completely coat the pork pieces with the spice mixture.
Step 4: Add avocado oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Brown each piece of seasoned pork on all sides. A dark browned color gives the pulled pork more depth of flavor.
Step 5: Add the browned pork pieces into the crockpot with the onions and garlic. Slow cook the pork on the low setting for 4 hours. The pork should easily fall apart when pierced with a fork.
Step 6: Remove the chunks of pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. When I am doing this, I remove the larger chunks of fat. This is optional and dependent on how thick the fat cap is on your pork shoulder.
Step 7: Optionally, skim the excess fat from the liquid in the crockpot. Put the pork back into the liquid and mix it to coat the pork in the flavorful broth.
How to Store and Reheat Pulled Pork
Once the pork has fully cooled, pack it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
To Freeze: This pork freezes beautifully! Pack it in freezer-safe airtight containers and freeze it for up to 4 months.
To Reheat: The fat in the juices of the pork will solidify when chilled. Reheat this pork in the oven on 400º F for 15 minutes, or by stir frying it in a skillet over medium high heat.
How to Serve Pulled Pork
This juicy pork is a delicious protein to add to any meal. Try serving it with:
BBQ Pulled Pork: If you’d like a saucier pulled pork, add your favorite BBQ sauce or use this Homemade BBQ Sauce. Perfect for layering over rice, cauliflower rice, or spaghetti squash. Try these amazing BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches.
Shredded Pork Tacos or Rice Bowls: Make pork tacos with traditional tortillas or with lettuce wraps. You can also take this pork South of the Border with rice bowls using steamed white rice orcauliflower rice. Salsa, cheese.
With Coleslaw or a Cabbage Salad: It’s a great combo with a crunchy slaw!
Other Low Carb Slow Cooker Recipes
Try this recipe? Be sure to share your cooking with me on Pinterest, Facebook, or Instagram, and tag @BlissfullyLowCarb !
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 1/2 pounds pork shoulder roast
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
Instructions
- Add chopped onions and garlic to the bottom of the crock pot.
- Mix together the Kosher salt and seasonings.
- Cut the pork shoulder roast into large chunks. Completely coat the pork pieces with the spice mixture.
- Add avocado oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Brown each piece of seasoned pork on all sides. A dark browned color gives the pulled pork more depth of flavor.
- Add the browned pork pieces into the crockpot with the onions and garlic. Slow cook the pork on the low setting for 4 hours. The pork should easily fall apart when pierced with a fork.
- Remove the chunks of pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. When I am doing this, I remove the larger chunks of fat. This is optional and dependent on how thick the fat cap is on your pork shoulder.
- Optionally, skim the excess fat from the liquid in the crockpot. Put the pork back into the liquid and mix it to coat the pork in the flavorful broth.
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