Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a wonderfully tender and flavourful meal that is incredibly easy to prepare in the slow cooker. This easy dinner recipe creates juicy shredded pork that slowly cooks into a rich, savoury BBQ sauce.
Made with pork shoulder, onion, garlic and BBQ sauce, this recipe is perfect for relaxed family dinners or when you want a simple meal that cooks itself while you get on with your day.
Originally published March 24, 2020. Updated March 12, 2026.
The Secret To Tender Slow Cooked Meat
If you have a slow cooker you can make just about any cut of meat tender and moist. And there is minimal effort, the only thing you really need is patience.
Choosing A Pork Shoulder For Pulled Pork
Today I have used a lovely fresh pork shoulder from my local supermarket with the bone in. This will do three meals, so it is a great price or can be made into a big family meal cheaply! Often I wander up and down the meat aisle at the supermarket to check out specials, especially on produce that I can make a few meals out of.
Simple Ingredients For Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This recipe is for my Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork and it uses just a few simple ingredients – onion, garlic, BBQ sauce and pork! So simple and the aroma it gives off while cooking is divine! If you have not made pulled pork before it is shredded slow cooked pork, shredded by hand and added back into its sauce.
Cooked properly this will give you a gorgeous moist and tender meat, with minimal effort – especially using a slow cooker.
My Favourite Way To Serve Pulled Pork
Pulled pork can be used in so many ways, I have used it in a simple burger bun today, with a delicious coleslaw, mayo and extra BBQ sauce for even more flavour. The pulled pork is so tender it simply shreds away between two forks. Plus cooking it is easy!
Knowing When Your Pulled Pork Is Fully Cooked
Allow plenty of time, even overnight if you prefer. The way to know it is done is if it doesn’t pull apart easily between two forks, leave it for longer.
Serving Ideas For Pulled Pork
- Sliders or Buns
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Pizza Toppings
- Pie Filling
- Stuffed Potatoes
- Shepherds Pie
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
When Is Your Pulled Pork Is Ready to Shred?
So onto the recipe, a few tips I have for you are to allow up to 9-10 hours for it to cook. I broke this down into two parts, I first cooked it for 8 hours (a 1.9kg shoulder with bone in) then carefully took it out of the cooking liquid, removed the bone and fat and then sliced it into fist sized pieces and popped it back into the liquid in the slow cooker for a further two hours.
You know it is cooked once the pork pulls apart easily using just two forks. Remove it from the pot and set it aside while you shred the pork into small strips.
From this point you can then add a little more BBQ sauce or leave it as is, it will be deliciously flavoursome without it! For more guidance on cooking times for different ingredients, you may find my Slow Cooker Cooking Times Chart very helpful.
More Slow Cooker Recipes To Try
This recipe was originally posted over on my Just A Mum website (shared with permission). Feel free to check out all the delicious recipes over there.
Do you love cooking in your Slow Cooker? Here are some more slow cooker family favourites that you may like to try:
- Slow Cooker Cauliflower & Broccoli Soup
- Slow Cooker Roast Pork with Honey Garlic Butter Gravy
- Slow Cooker Devilled Sausages
- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
The full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is an easy dinner made with pork shoulder, onion, garlic and BBQ sauce, slow cooked until tender and perfect for shredding.
Ingredients
- 1.5–2 kg pork shoulder, bone in or out
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (250 ml), divided
- ½ onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder or 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- ½ cup chicken stock (125 ml)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place the onion and garlic in the base of the slow cooker. Sit the pork shoulder on top and season with the salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix together ½ a cup of the BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard (if using) and stock. Pour this over the pork and turn to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours, until the pork is very tender and pulls apart easily.
- Remove the pork to a large plate. Remove any bones and any large pieces of fat.
- Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid. If you have time, let the liquid simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Shred the pork using two forks, then return it to the slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ½ cup of BBQ sauce and a little of the cooking liquid, stirring well until the pork is glossy and well coated. It should be sticky rather than wet.
- To serve, pile into soft buns with coleslaw and extra BBQ sauce, or use in tacos, wraps, or loaded fries.
- Allow to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently until piping hot before serving, adding a splash of water, stock or BBQ sauce if needed to loosen.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until piping hot, adding a splash of water, stock or extra BBQ sauce if needed to loosen. For best texture, you can reheat in a pan or under the grill to crisp the edges again.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 102Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 844mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 1g
This nutrition calculation for Just Slow Cooker Recipes has been automated, please use your discretion with the calculation and use your own if unsure.
I’d Love To Hear Your Feedback
I hope you love this Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork as much as we do. It’s such a simple, flavourful dinner that’s perfect for relaxed family meals or when you want something easy cooking away in the slow cooker.
If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you in the comments below.
Also, if you enjoy this recipe, please leave a ⭐ rating in the recipe card above. Your feedback helps other readers and really supports my recipes.
Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to try this recipe. I hope you find plenty of slow cooker inspiration here on my blog.
If you’d like to see more of my latest recipes and kitchen adventures, be sure to follow along on Pinterest.
Happy cooking!
Anna
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