Pork Shoulder Recipe: Juicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork for Easy Weeknight Feasts
This pork shoulder recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork bursting with smoky barbecue flavor, all made in your Crockpot or Instant Pot for hands-off cooking.
Ingredients
- 4-5 lb pork shoulder bone-in pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed of excess fat
- 2 tbsp brown sugar light or dark brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika smoked paprika
- 2 tsp kosher salt kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper cayenne pepper (skip if you prefer it gentler) for a mild kick
- 1 large yellow onion sliced yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic smashed
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth chicken broth or water
- 1 cup barbecue sauce barbecue sauce (homemade or your favorite brand)
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry, trim excess fat, and rub with a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne.
- Spread sliced onion and smashed garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker (or Instant Pot) to add flavor and prevent sticking.
- Pour apple cider vinegar and chicken broth around the onions to keep the pork moist and infuse it with flavor.
- Choose between slow cooker (8-10 hours on low), Instant Pot (high pressure for 60 minutes with natural release), or oven-braise.
- Shred the cooked pork, discard large fat chunks, and mix in barbecue sauce to taste for added flavor.
- Serve the pulled pork in buns, tortillas, or over rice bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro, pickled onions, or slaw.
Notes
Choose organic pork shoulder for better quality; thicker onion slices help them hold shape. If the sauce is thin, thicken on 'Sauté'.
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