Easy Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
Minimal dishes? A dinner that basically cooks itself? Pork so tender it falls apart before you even touch it with a fork? Yeah, that’s this recipe.
Look, I am not a professional chef. I burn toast sometimes – we’re all human. But this crockpot BBQ pulled pork has never once let me down, and that’s saying a lot coming from someone who loves easy, foolproof recipes above everything else.
If you need a meal that basically makes itself while you do literally anything else, you’re in the right place.
Ingredients
Nothing fancy here. You probably have most of this in your pantry already, minus the pork. I like using pork shoulder steaks instead of a big whole roast, they cook a little faster and shred up beautifully. Here’s what you’ll need.
Pulled Pork
- 4 lb pork shoulder steaks (sometimes labeled barbecue pork shoulder steaks at the store)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
BBQ Finish
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce, plus a little extra for serving (trust me, you’ll want it)
How to Do It
Step 1: Layer the Pork in the Crockpot
Lay your pork shoulder steaks in the slow cooker in a single, even layer. Don’t overthink this part, just get them settled in there so they cook evenly.
Step 2: Season It Up
Sprinkle the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder right over the top of the pork. Try to get it evenly distributed across all the pieces. This little spice mix does a lot of heavy lifting for flavor, so don’t skip it!
Step 3: Add the Broth
Pour the chicken broth around the pork, not directly over the seasoning if you can help it. This keeps everything nice and moist while it cooks low and slow.
Step 4: Cook Low and Slow
Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours, or HIGH for 5-6 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when the pork is super tender and just falls apart when you poke it with a fork. Honestly, the longer cook time on LOW gives you the best texture, but HIGH works great when you’re short on time.
Step 5: Shred the Pork
Pull the pork out of the crockpot and shred it with two forks. It should practically fall apart on its own at this point. If there’s excess fat you don’t want, now’s the time to pick it out and toss it.
Step 6: Return It to the Pot
Put all that shredded pork back into the slow cooker. Yes, back in the same juices, that’s where the flavor is.
Step 7: Stir in the BBQ Sauce
Pour in the BBQ sauce and stir until every bit of pork is coated. This is the fun part, watching it all come together into that classic pulled pork look.
Step 8: Let It Meld
Cover again and cook on LOW for another 20-30 minutes. This little extra step lets the sauce soak into the meat instead of just sitting on top. Worth the wait, I promise.
Step 9: Taste and Adjust
Give it a taste before serving. If you want it saucier, add a bit more BBQ sauce right in. Everyone’s sauce preference is different, so make it yours.
Helpful Tips & FAQ
A few notes I’ve picked up from making this more times than I can count:
- Serving ideas: Pile it high on brioche buns with coleslaw for the classic sandwich. It’s also great in sliders, wraps, tacos, or even piled on top of a baked potato. This stuff is versatile.
- Meal prep friendly: This recipe is a total lifesaver for meal prep, parties, or lazy weekend gatherings where you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It also freezes really well, up to 2 months, so don’t be afraid to make a double batch.
Can I use pork shoulder steaks instead of a whole joint? Yep! Pork shoulder steaks actually cook faster than a big roast and shred just as easily, which makes them perfect for this recipe.
Do I need to sear the pork first? Nope, not required. This recipe is built to be low effort and hands-off. That said, if you want an extra layer of flavor, go ahead and sear it first, it won’t hurt anything.
Can I make this without BBQ sauce? Absolutely. Just leave the pork plain after shredding, then season or sauce it however you like later on. Great option if you want to switch up the flavor for different meals throughout the week.
Easy Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
For Pulled Pork
- 4 lb pork shoulder steaks also sold as barbecue pork shoulder steaks
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For BBQ Finish
- 1½ cups BBQ sauce plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Place the pork shoulder steaks in the slow cooker, arranging them in an even layer.
- Sprinkle evenly with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Pour the chicken broth around the pork.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–9 hours or on HIGH for 5–6 hours, until the pork is very tender and easily pulls apart.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred using two forks. Discard excess fat if desired.
- Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker.
- Stir in the BBQ sauce until evenly coated.
- Cover and cook on LOW for an additional 20–30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Taste and add extra BBQ sauce if needed before serving.
Notes
• Serve on brioche buns with coleslaw for classic BBQ pulled pork sandwiches
• Use for sliders, wraps, tacos, or baked potatoes
• Great for meal prep, parties, and casual gatherings Storage
• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months
