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Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

Crockpot BBQ pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw on a brioche bun.
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This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it comfort food, transforming a humble pork shoulder into a masterpiece of tenderness with almost no effort. It's perfect piled high on a bun with coleslaw or used in bowls, tacos, and more.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (4-5 pound) pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 cup chicken broth (or beef broth)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
  • 1 1/2 - 2 cups favorite BBQ sauce, plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder completely dry with paper towels. Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a 6-quart or larger slow cooker and pour in the broth.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cumin (if using) to create the dry rub.
  3. Massage the dry rub mixture all over the entire surface of the pork shoulder.
  4. Place the seasoned pork on top of the onion bed in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
  5. Once cooked, carefully transfer the pork to a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any large pieces of fat.
  6. Pour the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a fat separator or measuring cup. Let sit, then skim off and discard the fat from the top.
  7. Return the shredded pork and the de-fatted juices back to the slow cooker. Add 1 1/2 cups of BBQ sauce and the apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine. Taste and add more BBQ sauce if desired.
  8. Let the sauced pork warm in the slow cooker on the WARM setting for 20-30 minutes so the flavors meld. Serve as desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, sear the rubbed pork shoulder in a hot skillet with oil for 2-3 minutes per side before slow cooking. Do not lift the lid during cooking. The pork can be cooked on HIGH for 5-6 hours, but LOW yields more tender results.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.stacksipsnack.com/crockpot-bbq-pulled-pork/