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Home » Burgers and Sandwiches » Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

August 27, 2020 · Updated May 24, 2022

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches - with homemade coleslaw and pickled red onions

This Boston Butt Pork Roast is cooked low and slow in a crockpot for 8-10 hours for this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe. You will be in awe at how tender, juicy and flavorful this cut of meat comes out. Add homemade coleslaw with pickled red onions and you have the perfect healthy-ish sandwich.

Two Pulled Pork sandwiches with potato chips on a wooden tray with pork, pickled onions and coleslaw beside it.

Why I love this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe: 

Using a crockpot makes cooking the pork extremely easy and the clean-up simple. Life is crazy busy most days and anytime I can ease that madness, I will always choose that method.

Cooking this roast “low and slow” makes for ridiculously tender meat. You end up with “fall apart” pork to shred for a delicious pulled pork sandwich.

The complexity of spices adds profound flavor to this pork. The magic of the finished roast begins with a dry rub that cooks throughout the pork.

The pork is cooked on top of onions, garlic and fresh herbs which infuses even more flavor. Even though these are ultimately thrown out, they contribute a rich essence to this dish.

Topping this pulled pork sandwich with homemade coleslaw creates a masterpiece. The coleslaw is tangy with a touch of sweetness and a bit of heat from sliced jalapenos.

What’s the best pork portion to choose for pulled pork?

One of the best portions of pork for slow-cooking is the “Boston butt.” But not to confuse you, the butt is not a ‘butt” at all. It is actually the shoulder of the pig. An interesting little tidbit is that these shoulders were once shipped in wooden kegs called, you got it, “butts.” This cut of meat is fatty with loads of marbling which makes them ideal for long, slow cooking times.

A white diamond shaped plate holding a bunch of different spices with fresh herbs beside it.

The Spice of Life for this Pork Roast 

The spices are what make this pulled pork irresistible. Everything from coriander to chili powder, to smoked paprika plus lots more. There’s also a touch of sweetness from brown sugar.

Yellow mustard is what helps the dry rub adhere to your roast. Don’t worry, there’s no “mustardy” flavor though. The vinegar in the mustard actually helps the meat to pick up the flavors of the rub as it cooks.

Use paper towels to pat dry the pork roast. Smear the yellow mustard over the entire roast and generously sprinkle the dry rub to completely cover it. Let it set out on the counter for about 10 minutes to create a nice glaze.

A raw boston butt pork roast coated with loads of spices on a piece of parchment paper and a wooden cutting board.

The Crockpot Does All the Work

After you’ve rubbed it down with spices, you’ll discover the most splendid aspect of this recipe. Nothing! Because nothing else is required! The crockpot does all the heavy lifting, so to speak. “Fix and Forget” is the anthem this little pot sings. I don’t know why I tend to leave this lonely magic machine stuck all by itself in the back of my cabinet. It makes life so much easier if I would just let it, especially in the summertime when I have no desire to heat up my kitchen.

A spice coated uncooked pork roast next to a crockpot of veggies and fresh herbs.

Flavor-Infusing Ingredients

I incorporate several more flavor-infusing ingredients in my crockpot which are onions, crushed whole garlic cloves, rosemary, thyme, and oregano sprigs. These are placed in the bottom of the pot and the roast is perched on top ready to soak up their essence.

Also, place the fatty side of the roast right side up so that all those juices will drip down around the meat as it cooks. A cup of vegetable broth is added to get this party started. Ultimately though, this roast has an ability to create its own luscious juice.

A cooked pork roast with two forks pulling the meat apart on a wooden cutting board.

Cooked  “Low and Slow” for Good Reason – 8-10 Hours in the Crockpot

Low and slow for 8-10 hours. You could cook it on high for probably 6 hours but, it seems, the lower setting for an extended time produces a more tender and juicy result.

When it has completed its cooking cycle, pull it from the crockpot, place it on either a large baking sheet or a large cutting board. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then the fun begins. Grab two forks, one in each hand, hold one fork in a section of the meat while you take the other fork and pull the meat away from it. Thus the name “pulled pork.” Continue until all the meat has been shred.

A closeup view of cooked pork roast with two forks pulling the meat apart on a wooden cutting board.

Homemade Coleslaw and Pickled Onions An Added Bonus

One way to enhance the sandwich is to add both Homemade Coleslaw and pickled onions. The slaw is quite easy with a few simple ingredients: packaged slaw from the produce section of your grocery store, white balsamic vinegar, mayo, a little bit of sugar, and a pinch of both salt and pepper. My favorite addition though is the sliced jalapeno peppers. The combination of all of these with the pork, Mmmm Mmmm, will leave you wanting more than just one sandwich. And go ahead, why not? You only live once, right?

A closeup view of homemade coleslaw in a white bowl with mayo, sliced jalapenos in the background.

Pickled onions, if you haven’t tried them, you gotta experience this sweet, vinegar infused, crunchy garnishment. There are all kinds of dishes that sing their praise! Tacos of any sort, Watermelon Arugula Salad, and of course, this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe.

A jar of pickled red onions with a colorful nakpin in the background.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe for Sandwiches

Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the bun. It is one of the best parts of the sandwich. I chose pretzel buns which, by the way, were phenomenal. They have a nice dense texture that holds up well under all of that yumminess. Hawaiian buns would be amazing as well. Heck, you really could throw this pulled pork on any bun and I guarantee you will love it.

Two different types of condiments were part of my afternoon lunch menu: my favorite BBQ sauce and 2 slices of creamy Havarti cheese, the other, a nice pile of homemade slaw and a touch of pickled onions. I rounded the lunch off with some crispy potato chips. Simple! Enticing! Mouthwatering! And the beauty of it all, there’s plenty of leftovers sitting in my fridge right now.

A pulled pork sandwich with bbq sauce and havarti cheese on a wooden tray.

Ok, hopefully, I’ve convinced you to pull out that dusty crockpot, throw in a Boston butt pork roast before you go to bed tonight. When you wake up in the morning, the whole house will permeate the glorious aroma of deliciousness. You may not even be able to wait until lunchtime to eat. Even better, invite over some friends, bring out the cold beers and chat around a platter of these Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

A closeup shot of a pulled pork sandwich with homemade coleslaw and pickled onions.

If you’re looking for some really good burger and sandwich recipes, check these out:

Chicken and Waffles with Peppadew Sauce

Turkey Burgers

Bison Burgers with Peppadew Jam

Please consider following me on Pinterest – Lingeralittle.

Print

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

A closeup shot of a pulled pork sandwich with homemade coleslaw and pickled onions.
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

This Boston Butt Pork Roast is cooked low and slow in a crockpot for 8-10 hours. You will be in awe at how tender, juicy and flavorful this cut of meat comes out.

  • Author: Kristy Murray
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 hours
  • Total Time: 8-10 hours
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Pork
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8– 9 lbs Boston Butt Pork Roast
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Cumin
  • 1 tablespoon Coriander
  • 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
  • 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 3 tablespoons packed Brown Sugar
  • 1/2–3/4 cup Yellow Mustard
  • 2 large Sweet Onions, quartered
  • 6 large Garlic Cloves, crushed
  • A handful of Rosemary Sprigs
  • A handful of Thyme Sprigs
  • A Handful of Oregano Sprigs
  • 1 cup Vegetable Broth
  • 12 large Buns
  • Your Favorite BBQ Sauce with Havarti Cheese (optional)
  • Homemade Coleslaw with Pickled Red Onions (optional)

Instructions

  • Combine all of the spices together in a small bowl.
  • Remove the Boston Butt Pork Roast from the Refrigerator and pat it dry with paper towels. Smear it with the yellow mustard.
  • Generously sprinkle the spice rub on top of the yellow mustard and let sit for 10 minutes to create a nice glaze.
  • Place the onions, garlic, and herbs in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the vegetable broth over the vegetables and place the roast, fatty side up, on top of the vegetable.
  • Turn the crockpot to low and let cook for 8-10 hours depending on how big your roast is.
  • When the roast is falling apart and very tender, remove it from the crockpot and let sit on a large cutting board for 10 minutes. With two forks begin shredding from one section of the meat to another until all is shredded.
  • Serve a large heaping of pulled pork on a large bun (I love a pretzel or Hawaiian bun.) Add your favorite BBQ sauce and 2 slices of Havarti Cheese (optional) or homemade coleslaw and pickled red onions (optional).

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 large Sandwich
  • Calories: 688
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 1306 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 35 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 72 g
  • Cholesterol: 204 mg

Keywords: Easy Pulled Pork Recipe, Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe, Slow Cooker Pork Pork, Pull Pork Sandwiches

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Filed Under: Burgers and Sandwiches

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Niki says

    August 14, 2018 at 5:25 pm

    Oh my! That sandwich looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Kristy Murray says

      August 15, 2018 at 11:36 am

      Thanks Niki! The thing I really love about this recipe is how crazy easy it is. The flavors from the spice rub are the best.

      Reply
  2. Carrie Tyler says

    August 17, 2018 at 8:07 am

    Such a wonderful recipe! I LOVE LOVE LOVE pickled onions with my pulled pork, so this one is perfect. Thanks!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kristy Murray says

      August 17, 2018 at 3:57 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by and checking out the recipe Carrie. I have to agree – pickled onions are definitely a highlight for pulled pork sandwiches.

      Reply
  3. Anne Melvin says

    November 28, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    Looks delicious! I learned a lot about the cut of meat – very informative. Definitely want to try this recipe!
    Anne Melvin

    Reply
    • Kristy Murray says

      November 30, 2018 at 8:31 am

      Thanks so much Anne. You have to let me know if you try it and what you think about the recipe. The spices in the rub are what make this dish pop.

      Reply
  4. Eric says

    April 9, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Whoa!! Now that’s a pulled pork sandwich. I’d love to sink my teeth into this. Slow cooking with the vegetables is perfect.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kristy Murray says

      April 9, 2021 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks Eric. My husband recently got a smoker and I like smoked pulled pork. But honestly these are just as good as smoking for 8 hours. And they are so easy.

      Reply
  5. David @ Spiced says

    May 20, 2022 at 8:57 am

    Woah – I love how your cole slaw has thinly sliced jalapenos in it! We really love pulled pork around here, and I make it on the smoker during the warmer months. But a slow cooker is great for winter weather – thanks for the awesome tip and the rub recipe! But in the meantime…I’m going to be dreaming about that awesome cole slaw!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Kristy Murray says

      May 26, 2022 at 9:00 am

      Hi David. I need my husband to fire up his smoker right away. I do love a good slow cooker recipe, but there is something about Summer that beckons the outdoor grills. The coleslaw and the pickled onions are definitely the highlight of this pulled pork recipe.

      Reply

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