Crock Pot Pork Shoulder for Pulled-Pork Sandwiches

Written by
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Portrait of Diana Rattray smiling
Published on 05/07/19 by Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats's Editorial Process

Updated 05/07/19

Crock Pot Pulled Pork
The Spruce
  • Total: 10 hrs 20 mins
  • Prep: 20 mins
  • Cook: 10 hrs
  • Yield: 8-12 portions (8-12 servings)
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
678 Calories
39g Fat
9g Carbs
69g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8-12 portions (8-12 servings)
Amount per serving
Calories 678
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 39g 50%
Saturated Fat 14g 71%
Cholesterol 251mg 84%
Sodium 459mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Protein 69g
Calcium 70mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This pork shoulder is cooked to perfection in the crock pot, with your favorite barbecue sauce, for fabulous pulled-pork sandwiches.

This is a basic recipe for pulled pork shoulder using a boneless or bone-in shoulder (or Boston butt), but be sure your pork shoulder will fit in the slow cooker and will allow you to put the cover on tightly.

If you have extra, you can freeze it. Or take a look at these creative recipes using leftover pulled pork.

1:12

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Ingredients

  • 1 (4- to 7-pound) pork shoulder (or Boston butt, bone-in or boneless)*
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 dash Kosher salt
  • Dash freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 1/2 to 1 cup barbecue sauce (plus more for serving)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Crock Pot Pork Shoulder for Pulled-Pork Sandwiches
    ​

  2. Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker with the water and sprinkle with salt and pepper. If desired, add chopped onions.

    Crock Pot Pork Shoulder for Pulled-Pork Sandwiches
     The Spruce

  3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Turn to LOW and cook 7 to 9 hours longer, until very tender.

  4. Remove roast and discard the fat and juices. Chop or shred the pork and then return the meat to the slow cooker.

    Crock Pot Pork Shoulder for Pulled-Pork Sandwiches
     The Spruce

  5. Mix some barbecue sauce into the meat for flavor—about 1/2 to 1 cup of sauce. Cover and cook on LOW for about 30 minutes to 1 hour longer, until hot.

    Crock Pot Pork Shoulder for Pulled-Pork Sandwiches
     The Spruce

  6. Serve on warm split sandwich buns with coleslaw and extra barbecue sauce on the side.

    Crock Pot Pork Shoulder for Pulled-Pork Sandwiches
     The Spruce

    Tip

    • If the roast is too large to fit in one piece, cut it into large chunks or trim it to fit in your slow cooker crockery insert.