Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Just 5 Ingredients!

Looking for a crowd pleasing recipe to serve a big group? A batch cook to give you the base of heaps of meals from the freezer?

Or just a little something special to make for the weekend?

HELLO Slow Cooker Pulled Pork!

This recipe takes about 30 seconds to prep, and 12 hours later, greets you with a sticky, spicy delicious treat of a meaty dish.

This recipe is also part of a series of 12 Slow Cooker recipes (including NINE brand new ones) that I’m posting over the coming weeks. Watch me cook them on Instagram and TikTok.

Here’s why you should add this to your meal plan:

✅ Big batch cooking saves tons of time later – YES.

✅ Just a handful of ingredients.

✅ Uses low cost pork shoulder for a great value meaty dish.

FAQs about the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe

Which Slow Cooker do you use and recommend?

I use: Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Slow Cooker (it’s light and you can use it for browning on the hob too).

For induction hob users: Lakeland Digital 6.5l Slow Cooker

Also! Top tip, buy a WiFi plug for it so you can switch it on or off from your phone when you’re at work? What a time to be alive.. I have these: Tp Link Tapo Smart Plug (Also you can set up with your Google or Alexa to say “Switch on Slow Cooker” WHATTT 🤯

Which cut of meat should I use?

I find that the best cut of meat for this recipe is pork shoulder.

It’s cheaper than pork loin and the fatty stripes through the meat mean it lends itself very well to this kind of cooking. 

You could use a pork loin for this recipe but it just doesn’t really have enough fat. I think it’s much better to use a more economical cut like shoulder and then drain the excess fat.

I do cut off the pork skin and any excess visible fat (plus the string!) before popping in the slow cooker.

How do you PULL the PORK?!

When the meat is cooked, drain and keep the juices.

Using a couple of forks, shred up the pork into chunks.

Now you have a couple of choices:

1. If the juice you drained off doesn’t look too fatty just add back into the meat.
2. If there’s a LOT of fat (that layer at the top) pour that carefully off the top before adding the juices back into the meat.
3. If you want a more dry finished pulled pork, you can put the juices into a small pan over a high heat and let them bubble for a few minutes until they reduce. Then add back to the pork. (I don’t often do this as the meat kind of absorbs the juices as it sits in them, keeping it moist.

Can I cook this in the oven instead?

You can cook this recipe in the oven but be sure to use a lidded casserole dish.

You’ll need to cook it at 160C for about 3 hours or until the meat is soft and tender. You will need to add additional water to the pot to ensure it doesn’t dry out (a cup or two and keep an eye on it) as cooking in an oven can dry out in a way that a slow cooker doesn’t.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Cooked, leftover pulled pork freezes really well. I portion it up and then just defrost to add to other dishes like stir fries or quesadillas. 

Can I prepare this recipe the night before?

Yes. Throw everything for the initial cook into the slow cooker, pop the lid on, then store in the fridge overnight. In the morning put it into the slow cooker. (Don’t forget to switch it on like I’ve done before..)

Is this recipe spicy?

It does have some warmth from the chipotle. If you’re worried about having any spice for young children, just half the amount or leave it out. It does add a LOT of flavour though.

How long do you cook a pork shoulder for in the slow cooker?

I’ve cooked this slow cooker pulled pork on low for 12 hours, this makes it, juicy and tender and its the perfect set and leave recipe for long days at work.

If you have less time you could cook on HIGH, it will be delicious but it won’t be as meltingly tender as the slower cooked version. It should take around 6 – 7 hours on HIGH.

Ideas for how to serve the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork:

• In bread rolls, or as sandwiches, add some apple sauce and pour over extra gravy.
• As a taco filling.
• Tortilla wraps, lime, avocado, sour cream/yoghurt and cheese (like Pork Carnitas).
• American style with homemade potato wedges, baked beans and coleslaw.
• Add to tomato sauce and pasta for a pork ragu style dish.
• Those following a low carb diet you could also serve on salad, or on top of scrambled or fried eggs as a protein packed breakfast.
• On tortilla chips for loaded nachos.

Fancy more ‘dump’ (no browning needed) recipes?

• Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken – A massive reader favourite
• Slow Cooker Beef Curry – Totally delicious and simple to make
• Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas – Have you tried the wraps shortcut?!

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this recipe. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ by the recipe.

Also, if you’d like to show me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations.
 

This recipe was originally posted on May 22, 2019 and updated with new photos and notes on January 21, 2021.

4.77 from 34 votes

Print

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork - Just 5 Ingredients!

The ultimate Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe – Smothered in honey and chipotle, this easy crock pot pork shoulder creates a delicious sticky and smoky sauce. A winning base for so many meals. This pulled pork freezes well too.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Family Food

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 12 hours

Total Time 12 hours 5 minutes

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 278 kcal

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg Pork Shoulder
• 90 g Chipotle Paste One jar
• 4 tbsp Honey
• 2 tbsp Ketchup
• 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar

Metric - Imperial

Instructions

1. Set your slow cooker to LOW. 

2. Mix the chipotle paste, honey, ketchup and balsamic vinegar. 

3. If there is a layer of skin on the pork remove this and then rub the marinade onto the pork.

4. Place in the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 12 hours. 

5. Once finished drain all of the juices from the slow cooker, remove the fat and then add the juices back and start to pull the pork using two forks into bite sized chunks. 

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork - Just 5 Ingredients!

Amount per Serving

Calories

278

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

6

g

9

%

Saturated Fat

 

2

g

13

%

Cholesterol

 

112

mg

37

%

Sodium

 

343

mg

15

%

Potassium

 

732

mg

21

%

Carbohydrates

 

10

g

3

%

Sugar

 

10

g

11

%

Protein

 

42

g

84

%

Vitamin A

 

20

IU

0

%

Vitamin C

 

0.2

mg

0

%

Calcium

 

13

mg

1

%

Iron

 

1.7

mg

9

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.