Crock Pot Pulled Pork

This Pulled Pork recipe is wonderfully tender, tangy, sweet and smoky with the perfect kick, smothered in the best homemade barbecue sauce – and so easy in the slow cooker, instant pot or oven!

This BBQ Pulled Pork is a set-it-and-forget-it recipe, ideal for large gatherings, prep-ahead meals, freezer meals or whenever you’re craving melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork with hardly any cleanup!  This easy Pulled Pork recipe is made with pork shoulder (Boston pork butt), pantry spices and Cherry Coke to tenderize the meat and then cooked in the oven, slow cooker or instant pot.  The resulting pork is fall apart tender, succulently juicy and begging to be bathed in sweet, tangy, spicy, smoky homemade barbecue sauce.  Serve the spoon tender BBQ Pulled Pork in sandwiches, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, on pizza etc. with a side of potato salad and Italian pasta salad for a complete summer feast!

Pork recipes from slow roasted to quick skillet dinners are some of my favorites! Don’t miss kalua pork, lechon asado (Mojo marinated pork), pork carnitas, garlic butter pork tenderloin, grilled pork tenderloin, brown sugar pork chops, Pork Loin with Sweet and Spicy Apricot Sauce and the best pork chop marinade.

HOW TO MAKE PulLed Pork Recipe VIDEo

up close of BBQ Pulled Pork in the slow cooker showing how juicy and tender it is


 
showing how to serve BBQ Pulled Pork recipe by adding to a BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with coleslaw
ingredient icon

What you will need for this Pulled Pork Recipe

Rub for this Pulled Pork Crock Pot Recipe

The Pulled Pork Rub is earthy, smoky, salty with a ginger, garlic zing.  It manages to be flavorful but not overpowering, so you can still smother the Pulled Pork with barbecue sauce.  You will need:

  • Chili powder:  made from a blend chili peppers and other spices including cumin, onion, garlic powder. Please note American chili powder is NOT hot cayenne pepper, it has a fraction of the spice level because it’s mixed with other seasonings.
  • Smoked paprika: rich, mild, sweet, and smoky made from smoked pimento peppers dried over oak fires then crushed.  It is not spicy, just flavorful. You can find smoked paprika with the rest of the spices at your grocery store. I use it in ALL my barbecue and Mexican recipes, so I promise your purchase will not go to waste.
  • Onion powder:  is dehydrated, ground onion that infuses our BBQ Pulled Pork with aromatic, earthy, minty notes.
  • Garlic: a favorite ingredient for its punch flavor. 
  • Ground ginger: I know it sounds like an odd addition, but I promise the pungent, spiciness of the ginger compliments the other spices beautifully.
  • Cayenne Pepper:  finely ground red chili peppers – the same peppers red chili flakes are from!  Don’t worry, the cayenne pepper will not make the pork spicy, but is needed to cut through the sweetness.
  • Pepper:  finely ground black pepper please for another layer of peppery flavor without all the heat.
  • Salt: 1 tablespoon regular table salt or 2 tablespoons kosher salt.
showing how to make BBQ Pulled Pork recipe by shredding the pork and allowing it to braise in the juices

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Braising Liquid

Braising the pork in a few inches of seasoned liquid helps to transform the tough pork shoulder into a tender, succulent, fall-apart masterpiece.  The moist environment gently cooks the pork while the liquid continuously infuses the pork with moisture and flavor.  Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Cherry Coke:  Use regular Cherry Coke, NOT diet!  The Coke not only adds flavor (contains flavoring approximates of dark spices like cinnamon, clove, allspice, cardamom, pipal, nutmeg, citrus zest, etc.) and caramelized sugar but is also highly acidic which balances the flavor and most importantly, tenderizes the meat.  Cola is such a great tenderizer because it typically has a pH of about 2.7—for comparison, lemon juice has a pH of 2—making it acidic enough to break down the tough proteins without dissolving your meat.
  • Liquid smoke: If you aren’t familiar with liquid smoke, it really is liquid smoke! It mimics the smokiness of smoking the pork all day with just a few teaspoons.  Liquid smoke is created by capturing smoke as it rises through a combustion chamber filled with wood chips to a condenser.  In the condenser, the smoke cools and forms a liquid, thus liquid smoke.  (Thank you Wikipedia).  It is a very common ingredient and should be easy to find next to the barbecue sauces in your grocery store. You can use mesquite or hickory, but I prefer mesquite in this recipe.  
  • Chopped green chiles: These mild chilies come from a can and add a subtle tang to cut through the earthy richness and sweetness.  Take care you choose MILD chopped green chiles because the hot can is HOT.
  • Brown sugar:  Use ⅓ to ½ cup brown sugar which balances the acidic Coke and imparts hints of molasses.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Adds the balancing tang to offset the sweetness.
  • Orange zest: The bright tanginess cuts through the sweetness and perks up the rest of the ingredients.
  • BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought brand or I HIGHLY recommend my Homemade BBQ Sauce, which I’ve outlined below.

BARBECUE SAUCE INGREDIENTS

This homemade BBQ Sauce recipe comes together very quickly with just a handful of ingredients. You will need (measurements included in the full recipe below):

  • Ketchup. 2 cups of your favorite ketchup will be the base in this barbecue sauce recipe. Look for organic ketchup or one that isn’t sweetened by high-fructose corn syrup if possible.
  • Apple cider vinegar:  adds the balancing tang to offset the sweetness.
  • Molasses:  adds rich, thick smoky-sweet undertones and is a BBQ Sauce must!  Make sure you are using unsulfured molasses and NOT blackstrap molasses.  Unsulfured molasses is the finest quality and only a small amount of sugar has been removed from the first boiling (sugar content around 70%).  Blackstrap, on the other hand, has been boiled further resulting in a thick, bitter, salty sludge with a sugar content of only 45%.   Blackstrap molasses is never an acceptable substitute for true molasses.
  • Brown Sugar:  sweetens the sauce and helps deepen the molasses flavor. This BBQ Sauce recipe is on the sweeter side like Sweet Baby Rays.  If you would like less sweet barbecue sauce, simply use less sugar.  You can always add more to taste at the end of simmering. 
  • Liquid smoke:   imparts a wonderfully smoky flavor that elevates the BBQ Sauce to another realm.  Plus, you already need it for the Pulled Pork recipe!
  • Seasonings: smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, ground chipotle pepper, onion powder, ground mustard, dried thyme, salt, and pepper infuse the barbecue sauce with classic flavor with hints of smokiness and heat.  You can use more or less chipotle chili powder depending on how spicy you like it.

Barbecue sauce substitutions

  • Cherry Coke:  The closest to Cherry Coke is Dr. Pepper, otherwise regular coke will also work.
  • Blackberry preserves:  If you can’t find blackberry preserves, I’ve had readers comment they have also used strawberry preserves, raspberry preserves, fig preserves, mango preserves and apple jam with success. 
  • Sugar:  You can use any brown sugar you have on hand – light, medium or dark, but be aware that anything other than light will add stronger molasses tones.  You can use honey or maple if that’s all you have on hand. You can also use a blend of sweeteners.
  • Chipotle powder:  If you don’t have chipotle chili powder, then you can add a pinch-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.   You will need much less because cayenne pepper is much spicier.  In the future, I suggest you keep chipotle chili powder stocked – it adds a sublime smoky heat.

How to make Crock Pot Pulled Pork

BBQ Pulled Pork is the epitome of a minimal prep and maximum flavor recipe!  Once you’ve gathered the ingredients, it’s a simple season, sear and cook until fall-apart tender. While the pork is cooking, I whip up an easy batch of barbecue sauce. Here’s how: (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  • Step 1: Braising liquid. Combine the Coke, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, orange zest and green chilies in a lightly greased slow cooker; set aside.   You want to prep these ingredients first so you can transfer the pork directly to the crockpot after searing.
showing how to make BBQ pulled pork by adding braising liquid to the slow cooker
  • Step 2:  Spice rub the pork.  Whisk all the seasonings together in a small bowl.  Lightly drizzle the pork with vegetable oil, then rub it on the top and sides of the pork, then coat all over with seasonings, pressing to adhere.  Flip the pork over, drizzle oil over the top and finish rubbing in the spices.
showing how to make BBQ pulled pork by rubbing spices all over the pork

  • Step 3:   Sear the pork.  Wait until the vegetable oil is smoking hot before you add the pork.  I find two forks the easiest to rotate the pork to sear it on all sides.
showing how to make BBQ pulled pork by searing pork butt in a cast iron skillet
  • Step 4:  Cook the pork until fall apart tender.  Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours or on LOW for 8 to 12 hours OR until the pork easily shreds with a fork. Make sure to check the pork at the early part of the cooking window and continue to cook if needed.
showing how to make BBQ pulled pork by cooking pork in a slow cooker until tender
  • Step 5:  Shred and braise.   You can either shred the pork directly in the crockpot or it’s a little easier to remove any excess fat by shredding it on a cutting board.  Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and allow to cook for 20 minutes on LOW to soak up the juices. 
showing how to make BBQ pulled pork by shredding pork in the crockpot
  • Step 6:  Add barbecue sauce.  Add the pork to a colander over a large bowl and strain all but about ½ cup broth from the pork.  Return the pork to the slow cooker/pot and stir in the desired amount of barbecue sauce.  Serve on sandwiches, pizza, sandwiches, etc. See lots of ideas below!
showing how to make pulled pork recipe by pouring barbecue sauce over the pulled pork and stirring to combine

Crockpot Pulled Pork Recipe variations

The most important (and best!) part of making BBQ Pulled Pork is how adaptable the homemade barbecue sauce is. Like a sweet sauce? Add more sugar.  Like a tangier sauce?  Add more vinegar.  Like a spicy BBQ Sauce? Add more chipotle.  Here’s how:

  • Make it sweeter:  add more brown sugar.  I suggest you simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, taste and add additional sugar at this time if desired (and not right off the bat); continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.  
  • Make it tangier:  add additional apple cider vinegar at the end of simmering.
  • Make it smokier:  add additional liquid smoke, ½ teaspoon at a time.  
  • Make it spicier:  add additional chipotle chili powder for smoky heat or cayenne pepper for penetrating heat. 
  • Make the seasonings your own.  Like more garlic?  Use more garlic.  Like more mustard?  Use more mustard.   You can adjust all of the seasonings to suit your tastes and even add additional seasonings such as oregano or parsley.
  • Make it thicker:  simmer the sauce for upwards of 15 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency, however, it is already gorgeously thick after 15 minutes so I don’t think you’ll find this necessary. 
  • Make it gluten-free:  double check your ingredients to ensure they are gluten free.
  • Homemade Maple BBQ Sauce: substitute half of the brown sugar for pure maple syrup – not the breakfast imitation kind!  
  • Homemade Honey BBQ Sauce: substitute the brown sugar for honey.    
showing how to serve BBQ Pulled Pork recipe by picking up the shredded pork with tongs

How to serve Crock Pot Pulled Pork

This Pulled Pork recipe is extremely versatile and can be served a number of ways – what’s your favorite?  Here are just a few ideas: 

  • Pulled Pork Sandwiches:  Stuff brioche buns with pulled pork, coleslaw and optional toppings such as fried onions, pickles, etc. 
  • Pulled Pork Pizza:  Use my barbecue chicken pizza recipe as a guide.  Top homemade or store-bought uncooked pizza dough with ⅓ cup barbecue sauce, followed with desired amount of Pulled Pork, 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese (low moisture), 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda and ¼ thinly sliced red onion.  Bake at 475 degrees F for 12-15 minutes.
  • Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese:  Stir leftover Pulled Pork into your favorite Stovetop Mac and Cheese or Baked Mac and Cheese.
  • Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese:   Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on each side of each slice of bread, then top half of the bread with cheese, then Pulled Pork and then another layer of cheese.  Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 2 sandwiches, cover, and grill until the bottom of the bread is toasted, about 5-7 minutes and the cheese starts to melt, checking often to see that the bread is cooking nicely and doesn’t burn. Flip and continue to cook, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and the bottom bread is toasted.
  • Pulled Pork Hash: Use this recipe as a guide and swap in the Pulled Pork. 
  • Pulled Pork Baked Potatoes:  Poke holes in washed, dried potatoes. Place on a foil lined baking sheet and lightly brush with oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake for 1 hour or until potatoes are tender and the skin is crispy.  Slice open the potatoes, top with BBQ Pulled Pork and cheddar then place back in the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts. Top with sour cream, green onions, etc.
  • Pulled Pork Baked Tacos:  Line stand-up taco shells in a 9×13 baking dish.  Sprinkle some cheese on the bottom of each taco shell and bake at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes (baking crisps up the shells and the cheese prevents the shell from becoming soggy). Add the BBQ Pulled Pork, top with more cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until cheese is completely melted.  Top with your favorite toppings such as lettuce, pico de galloblack bean corn salsaavocado corn salsa, etc.
  • Pulled Pork Nachos:  Pile thick restaurant style tortilla chips with cheese and beans and bake until the cheese is melted or use homemade queso.  Top with BBQ Pulled Pork and toppings such as jalapenos, pineapple salsa and guacamole.
  • Pulled Pork Fries:  Similar to pork nachos but with French Fries!  Pile French fries with cheese and bake or smother in queso or store-bought nacho sauce. Top with BBQ Pulled Pork and toppings such as jalapenos and guacamole.
  • Pulled Pork Taquitos:  Combine 3 cups pork with 2 ounces softened cream cheese, ¼ cup sour cream and 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese.  Add a heaping ¼ cup pork mixture to each flour tortilla and roll up tightly. Place filled tortillas seam side down on a baking sheet. Lightly brush each tortilla with olive oil and bake at 425 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until golden or pan fry until crispy.
  • Pulled Pork Burrito Bowls:  Pile cilantro lime rice with shredded pork, black beans, corn, cabbage, chopped pineapple or pineapple salsa etc. and your favorite creamy topping such as sour cream/Greek yogurt or I highly recommend either Tomatillo Avocado Ranch or Cilantro Lime Dressing.
  • Pulled Pork Quesadillas: Sandwich pork, cheese and optional black beans in between two flour tortillas and toast in a skillet to golden, cheesy perfection. Serve with pineapple salsa, mango salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo and/or avocada crema.
  • Pulled Pork Burritos:  Layer a burrito size tortilla with cilantro lime rice, black beans, pork, cheese, guacamole, pineapple salsa and lettuce. 

showing how to serve BBQ pulled pork by making BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and fried onion rings

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showing how to make BBQ pulled pork sandwiches by topping buns with pulled pork, with coleslaw and fried onion rings

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe

This Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe is fall apart tender, tangy, sweet and smoky with the perfect kick, smothered in the best homemade barbecue sauce- and so easy in the slow cooker, instant pot or oven!  Top them off with creamy, crunchy, light coleslaw and crispy fried onion rings and you’re in for the best BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches EVER.  This recipe is simple to make, easily customizable and a brilliant standby for meal prep, large gatherings or freezer meals.  Serve them up with strawberry broccoli salad, bacon ranch potato salad or Italian pasta salad for everyone’s favorite summer meal!
Servings: 12 -15 servings
Total Time: 9 hours 25 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 9 hours

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Ingredients

FOR THE PORK

  • 4-6 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast (Boston Butt roast)
  • 1 12 oz. can Cherry Coke (1 ½ cups)
  • 2 4 oz. cans mild diced green chilies
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
  • zest of 1 orange
  • 1 TBS EACH garlic powder, chili powder, salt
  • 2 tsps EACH onion powder, smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp EACH pepper, ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • vegetable oil

ADD LATER

FOR THE SANDWICHES

FOR THE FRIED ONION RINGS (Optional)

Instructions

PORK

  • Lightly spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine the Coke through the orange zest in the slow cooker; set aside.
  • Whisk all the seasonings together in a small bowl (garlic powder through cayenne pepper). Lightly coat pork with vegetable oil, then rub seasonings all over the pork.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over high heat in a large cast iron skillet. Using tongs or 2 forks, sear pork on all sides until lightly browned. Place pork in prepared slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8-12 hours or on HIGH for 4-6 hours, UNTIL the pork is very tender. (Check pork at early end of cooking window and add more time as needed). Use this time to prep toppings such as coleslaw and onion strings.
  • Remove pork to a cutting board and shred – don’t discard slow cooker juices. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker and cook for 20 minutes on LOW to soak up the juices.
  • Strain all but about ½ cup broth from the pork. Stir in the desired amount of barbecue sauce until evenly coated, adding more or less as desired. Taste and add hot sauce/salt/pepper/brown sugar to taste.

COLESLAW

  • Prepare Coleslaw according to recipe directions. Don't make the coleslaw too sweet if your barbecue sauce is on the sweeter side. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, best if 1-2 hours after combining. If making ahead, keep dressing and vegetables separate and then combine a little before serving.

FRIED ONION STRINGS

  • Whisk buttermilk and egg together. Add onions to a shallow baking dish and pour buttermilk/egg mixture over top. Press the onions down so they're submerged as much as possible. Let them soak at room temperature for 15 minutes up to an hour, stirring and pushing down occasionally. Cover and refrigerate if soaking longer.
  • When ready to fry onions, fill a heavy duty fry pot (this is the exact one I use) or large Dutch oven with approximately 2 inches of oil. Heat to 375 degrees F.
  • While heating, combine flour, panko, salt and pepper in a large bowl; set aside. Line a large baking sheet with paper towels; set aside.
  • Test the oil with a small pinch of panko; if it bubbles and fries, then it is hot enough. If it turns black right a way, it is too hot. Using tongs, transfer a handful of onions from the buttermilk to the flour/panko mixture. Toss to coat, pressing to adhere, shake off any excess flour, then carefully transfer to the hot oil. (The coating will be thin but will crisp up.)
  • Fry onions until lightly golden brown (just 1-2 minutes), watch closely! – they will continue to darken after they're removed from the oil. Remove fried onions with a spider fry strainer or fine mesh sieve to paper towels. Repeat with the remaining onion slices.

TOAST BUNS

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Working in batches as needed, line top and bottom buns on a baking sheet, cut side up. Bake until warmed and lightly crispy, about 5 minutes. Don’t over bake or they can become dry – we don’t want croutons!

Assemble

  • When ready to eat, pile toasted buns with pulled pork, coleslaw, fried onion rings and/or any desired toppings. Dig in!

Video

Notes

Tips

  • Cherry Coke:  Use regular Cherry Coke, NOT diet!  Dr. Pepper is the closest substitute for Cherry Coke.  The Coke not only adds flavor (contains flavoring approximates of dark spices like cinnamon, clove, allspice, cardamom, pipal, nutmeg, citrus zest, etc.) and caramelized sugar but is also highly acidic which balances the flavor and most importantly, tenderizes the meat.  Cola is such a great tenderizer because it typically has a pH of about 2.7—for comparison, lemon juice has a pH of 2—making it acidic enough to break down the tough proteins without dissolving your meat.
  • Liquid smoke: If you aren’t familiar with liquid smoke, it really is liquid smoke!  It is a very common ingredient and should be easy to find next to the barbecue sauces in your grocery store. You can use mesquite or hickory, but I prefer mesquite in this recipe.  
  • Pulled Pork in the Oven:   Cover and cook the pork roast at 325 degrees for about 6 hours or until very tender.  
  • Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot: Cut the pork into large chunks if needed to fit into the instant pot.  Cook on high pressure for 70-80 minutes (depending on size). Once time is up, let pressure release naturally for 25 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure and open. 
  • *DIY Buttermilk:  Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar to a 3 cup+ measuring cup.  Add enough milk to equal 2 cups.  Give it a stir then wait 10-15 minutes for it to curdle, then give it another stir before using.   If you only have 1% milk, then add a splash of heavy cream before filling the rest of the measuring cup with milk.

Make Ahead

  • BBQ Pulled Pork: Cook the pulled pork all the way through adding the barbecue sauce.  Transfer the pork to the refrigerator directly in the ceramic crockpot insert or Dutch oven. The next day, warm the pork in the crockpot on LOW for 1-2 hours or gently warm on the stove. Add a splash or additional barbecue sauce or water if it seems dry after it’s warmed through (it will release juices as it heats up).
  • BBQ Sauce: Transfer the cooled barbecue sauce to an air-tight container. Store for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months. 
  • Coleslaw: Homemade coleslaw will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but is at peak freshness within the first few hours of combining.
    To make ahead further in advance, thinly slice the cabbage, shred the carrots, and slice the green onions. Store in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days.  The dressing can be whisked together and refrigerated up to 5 days in advance. Combine when ready to use.
  • Onion Strings.  You can slice the onions a day ahead of time and refrigerate in an airtight bag if you aren’t ready to fry right away.  This will cut down on the onion prep significantly. For fried onions, let them cool COMPLETELY before transferring to an airtight container. Store onions at ROOM TEMPERATURE for up to three days.

HOW TO STORE 

  • Pulled pork: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The buns can be refrigerated or frozen to prolong their shelf life.  The pork can be frozen for up to three months. 
  • Onion Strings:  Let onions cool COMPLETELY before transferring to an airtight container. Store onions at ROOM TEMPERATURE for up to three days.
  • Coleslaw: Homemade coleslaw will last about 3 to 4 days in the fridge, but is at peak freshness within the first few hours of combining. The cabbage will soften over time and the dressing will become runnier. The carrots and red cabbage will also alter the color of the dressing the longer it sits.

To Reheat

  • To reheat in the microwave:  Warm the pork in the microwave for 1 minute then at 20 second intervals until warmed through.
  • To reheat on the stove:  Rewarm the pork gently over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the pork seems a little dry after warmed through.
  • To reheat in the slow cooker:  Reheat in the slow cooker for 1-2 hours on low.

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122 Comments

  1. Dave says

    I made this in the oven and it turned out great, onl needed about 4 hours at 325. After it’s done cooking, I like to lay the pork out on a sheet pan and put it under the broiler for 5 minutes in order to crisp it up. If you have BBQ sauce with a higher sugar content, do this before saucing.

    • Jen says

      I’m so pleased you enjoyed it Dave! Great tip on crisping up the pork, thank you!

  2. Carole C says

    *****
    Made this recipe for dinner party with friends. It was a big hit! The porc was moist and had just the right amount of smokiness. The BBQ sauce is amazing. It has that dark colour that good BBQ sauce has and just the right amount of sweetness. I used ciabatta buns so the sandwiches wouldn’t fall apart. Everyone raved about the pulled porc sandwiches. I will serve them again.

    • Jen says

      Yay! Thank you so much, Carole, I’m thrilled this was such a hit with everyone! I am so happy this recipe will be a repeat!

  3. Jill says

    Hey! I made this recipe years ago and it was a hit so I’m at it again. This time, however, I was only able to find bone-in pork shoulder butt. Will this alter the cook time?

    • Jen says

      Hi Jill, bone-in will cook more slowly because there is more connective tissue, but I would still check it per recipe and cook on as needed. Enjoy!

  4. Jenny says

    I’m looking for the original pulled pork recipe. Is there a link to that?

    • Jen says

      This recipe replaced it as the new and improved! I don’t have the other one, but I hope you like this even more!

  5. Lisa says

    I need some help. I’ve never cooked Boston pork but before. Never made pulled pork. The butcher said he would get me 6 lbs. He did, however it says rolled and is wrapped in twine. I don’t understand. Do I take the twine off, then season and sear? Do I do everything with twine on? Is it supposed to cook with twine? Making tomorrow morning so hoping I could get advice. It would be greatly appreciated!

    • Jen says

      Hi Lisa, I’m not sure why it came in twine, it’s not a common practice for this cut of meat. I would remove the twine, season and sear. If the twine is holding its shape, it won’t be a problem because it’s slow cooking and being shred anyway. Hope this helps!

      • Lisa says

        Thank you Jen. I appreciate your quick response. You saved the day! I want to thank you also for your site as I believe it to be the best site for no fail amazing recipes. I don’t know anyone else who masters seasonings like you. My coworkers beg for your slow cooker Mexican chicken. I think God gave you a gift and you are blessIng others with it. Praise God for that.

        • Jen says

          Thank you so much for this sweet review! I am so glad that you are loving the recipes! Hope you are well!

  6. Alicia says

    I like to serve pulled pork on a thick slice of a cornbread loaf as an open face sandwich. Then pile on the coleslaw. The sauce soaks into the cornbread – so yummy.

    • Jen says

      Yum, I’ve never tried that! Sounds amazing!

  7. Lori says

    I made this pulled pork over the 4th of July weekend for my family BBQ! Hands down the BEST pulled pork we’ve ever had! I got a 6 pound Boston butt from the butcher & had him trim the fat layer. Cooked over night on low in the crockpot.
    My only request is that the recipe itself doesn’t include all of the steps for the braising liquid prep- it stops after the cherry coke & set aside!
    I caught that thankfully!
    Certainly delish!

    • Jen says

      Hi Lori! I am so glad you and your family thought it was delicious! Thank you so much for your sweet review! I’m so glad it turned out and was a hit for you!

  8. Pamela says

    I just made this for my daughter and granddaughter while visiting them in Florida. My other daughter in New Jersey who I live with has made this quite often and it’s a big hit with her husband and 3 grown boys. My daughter in Florida gave some to her neighbor who now wants the recipe. It’s is the best ever.

    • Jen says

      Thank you for sharing your review! I am so happy to hear that it is a family favorite!

  9. Kara LeBaron says

    I added all the rub ingredients to the crock pot. Maybe consider splitting up what’s part of the rub and what’s part of the marinade in the crockpot.

    • Jen says

      Hi Kara, thanks for the suggestion. Hopefully you found that adding all the seasonings to the crock pot was still super tasty!

  10. Christy says

    It may be me, but under the “pork” instructions, it seems to only state to combine the coca cola and and orange zest, but none of the liquid smoke, diced green chiles, brown sugar, etc. Is it just me?

    • Jen says

      Hi Christy, it says Coke THROUGH the orange zest, meaning all the ingredients after the Coke and through the orange zest. Hope this helps!

  11. Jeanne says

    This turned out great. I made cherry Coke by adding 2 T grenadine and 2 T maraschino cherry juice to regular Coke. The BBQ sauce is terrific!
    Thanks for consistently giving good recipes!

    • Jen says

      Hey Jeanne! You’re welcome! Can’t go wrong with maraschino cherry juice – Yum! Good idea!

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