Pulled Pork

Name: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 lbs. pork butt ($8.07); 1 yellow onion, cut into chunks ($0.37); 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped ($0.32); 2 tsp paprika ($0.20); 1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.10); 2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.08); 1 tsp garlic powder ($0.10); 1 tsp onion powder ($0.10); 2 tsp salt ($0.10); 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.04)

CookOS may earn a commission from Instacart orders.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is a hands-off method to achieve fall-apart tender meat seasoned with paprika, garlic, and brown sugar. It's versatile enough for tacos, sandwiches, burritos, and more.

⚡Slow Cooker

🌍American 🏷️Pork butt 🏷️Pork shoulder 🏷️Pulled pork 🏷️Pulled pork sandwich

About·Privacy·Terms

🏷️Slow cooker pork

Total

4h 15m

Servings

Difficulty

Hard

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Check what you already have. We'll leave it off your shopping list.

3 lbs. pork butt ($8.07)
1 yellow onion, cut into chunks ($0.37)
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped ($0.32)
2 tsp paprika ($0.20)
1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.10)
2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.08)
1 tsp garlic powder ($0.10)
1 tsp onion powder ($0.10)
2 tsp salt ($0.10)
1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.04)

10 Ingredients

Prices vary by store

^*Service fees apply. Instacart^® and the Instacart logo are registered trademarks of Maplebear Inc. d/b/a Instacart.

CookOS may earn a commission from Instacart orders.

Instructions

1
Combine the spices for the spice rub in a bowl.
2
Cut the pork butt into large chunks. If the pork butt has a bone you can either remove it before cooking or wait until you are shredding the cooked meat to remove it. Keep in mind the pork will require extra cooking time if cooking with the bone in.
3
Add the pork pieces to a large bowl and sprinkle the spice rub over top. Toss until the pork is evenly coated in spices.
4
Dice the yellow onion and add it to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the seasoned pork on top of the onion, then add the roughly chopped garlic on top.
5
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours. Test the pork with a fork to make sure the meat is tender. It should shred easily with a fork. If not, cook for one hour longer. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your pork butt.
6
Once the pork is tender, use two forks to shred the meat.
7
If you prefer crispy edges on your pork, place some of the pork on a sheet pan and broil for a few minutes, or just until the edges are browned and crispy. Keep a close eye on the pork as it broils!
8
Serve the pulled pork on sandwiches, tacos, bowl meals, and more!

Was this recipe helpful?

Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Do not shred the pork until it is fully cooked and pulls apart easily with a fork; forcing it early results in uneven, tough pieces.
Reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid before shredding to add back for moisture and flavor when reheating.
Trim excess surface fat from the pork butt before cooking to avoid greasy results, but leave some marbling for juiciness.
For deeper flavor, add the onion and garlic at the start so they infuse the braising liquid; discard them after cooking if you prefer.

Substitutions

Pork shoulder → pork picnic (slightly fattier; adds 30–45 minutes cooking time)
Brown sugar → honey or maple syrup (use 1.5 Tbsp; adds different sweetness profile)
Smoked paprika → regular paprika (omits the smoke note; use same amount)
Yellow onion → white or sweet onion (minimal impact on flavor)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the slow cooker with reserved cooking liquid or microwave with a splash of water to restore moisture.