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Delicious slow cooker BBQ pulled pork served with coleslaw on a bun

Best EVER Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

This slow cooker BBQ pulled pork is tender, flavorful, and versatile, perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or as a main dish with sides.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3 to 4 lb pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 small onion, sliced (optional)
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed (optional)
  • Hamburger buns or slider rolls to serve

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Trim excess fat from the pork if you like, but leave some for flavor.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Rub the spice mix all over the pork, covering all sides.
  4. If using, place the sliced onion and smashed garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  5. Put the pork on top of the onion, then pour chicken broth around the pork (not over the spice rub).
Cooking
  1. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the pork pulls apart easily with forks.
  2. Remove the pork to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes before shredding with two forks.
  3. If desired, skim fat from the cooking liquid, then mix in the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce.
  4. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the sauce.
  5. Let the pork sit on LOW for 20 to 30 minutes to absorb the sauce before serving.

Notes

For added flavor, you can brown the pork in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes per side before slow cooking. Don't forget to save a cup of the cooking liquid to thin the BBQ sauce if needed.