This mouth-watering Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is tender, juicy and filled with incredible smokey BBQ flavors. It's ideal for an easy lunch or weeknight dinner, or for those times when you're feeding a hungry crowd.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Crockpot Pulled Pork
• 🛒 Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• 🔪 How to Make Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
• ☑️ Storage Instructions
• 🍴 What to Serve with Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork
• 💡 Tips for Making Pulled Pork
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Do You Need Liquid in a Slow Cooker for Pulled Pork?
• Why is My Pulled Pork Still Tough After Cooking?
• Should I Flip My Pork Shoulder in a Slow Cooker?
• Can I Put Raw Pork in a Slow Cooker?
• 🍽️ More Keto Slow Cooker Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Crockpot Pulled Pork

• Pork cooked low and slow until it’s fall apart tender
• Savory BBQ spice rub gives it great smoky flavor
• Easy to make with minimal prep work
• Perfect for pulled pork sandwiches

After the very first tender and delicious bite, you’ll realize that this is the only pulled pork recipe you'll ever need. And the wonderful thing is that it’s cooked in your trusted crockpot.

This means you don’t have to break out the smoker to make it! It can be served as pork sandwiches, sliders, pulled pork nachos, or with any of your favorite low-carb sides as a complete meal.

What truly sets this recipe apart is just how fuss-free it is to prepare. Forget slaving over a hot oven or constantly monitoring smoker temps because the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you.

Simply toss everything into the insert, set it, and forget it. The result is tender, flavorful pulled pork that falls apart with the slightest touch.

Unlike a lot of pulled pork recipes that use sugar-filled BBQ sauce, this recipe uses a homemade, sugar-free sauce that's perfect for Keto or low-carb diets. Make an extra batch and use it to make these amazing Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs or these succulent Oven Baked Ribs.

🛒 Ingredients for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

• Pork shoulder
• BBQ sauce
• BBQ spice dry rub
• Onion
• Garlic
• Apple cider vinegar
• Optional: Keto Buns and Coleslaw

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Slow Cooker

🔪 How to Make Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker

Add the sliced onions and garlic to the insert of your slow cooker.

Take your pork shoulder and trim off any excessive fat.  You will want to leave some, and it should be well marbled, that’s what gives it flavor and keeps it juicy. Pat it dry with paper towels.

Add the BBQ spice dry rub on all sides of the pork, rubbing it in so it sticks.

Place the pork shoulder on top of the onions and garlic.

Mix the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar together, then pour it over the top of the pork.

Spread it over the sides, then cook it on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8–9 hours, or until it’s fall apart tender.

Once it’s cooked through, carefully remove the pork and set it on a cutting board.  Also, transfer the juices from the slow cooker and pour them into a bowl.  Strain off the onions and garlic, and skim off the fat.

Using 2 forks, shred the pork and discard any fat. 

Put the pork back into the slow cooker.

Then you can either pour about a cup of the juices and pour them over the pork or mix about ½ cup with another ½ cup of BBQ sauce, then pour the mixture over the pork. 

Allow to simmer for a few minutes to allow the shredded pork to absorb the flavors and serve when ready.

If serving pulled pork sandwiches, add some of the pork to the bun of your choice, top it with some classic coleslaw, and enjoy.

☑️ Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Once cooled to room temperature, transfer any remaining leftover pulled pork to an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay fresh for up to 3–4 days.

• Freezer: For longer storage, transfer the leftovers into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and store in the freezer for up to 2–3 months. When ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.

🍴 What to Serve with Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork

• Buns: Pulled pork is always great served as a sandwich. For a low carb bun option, these Homemade Keto Buns are a perfect choice.

• Coleslaw: The creamy, crunchy texture of Classic Coleslaw complements the richness of the pulled pork perfectly.

• Cornbread: Serve up some warm, buttery keto-friendly Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread for a comforting addition to your BBQ pork.

• Cauliflower "Potato" Salad: This easy Cauliflower Potato Salad is a refreshing side that balances the heartiness and richness of the pork.

• Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese: This wonderful homemade Cauliflower Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food pairing.

• Roasted Vegetables: A side of these Oven Roasted Veggies is a great way to create a well-balanced and nutritious meal.

• Salad: A crisp, fresh salad with your favorite greens, veggies, and a tangy Creamy Italian Dressing is a light and refreshing option with BBQ.

• Pickles and Onions: Add some tang and crunch to your plate with a side of Easy Homemade Pickles and thinly sliced Pickled Red Onions.

💡 Tips for Making Pulled Pork

• Choose the right cut: Opt for a well-marbled cut of pork, such as pork shoulder or pork butt, which will become fall-apart tender and juicy when slow-cooked.

• Season generously: Don't skimp on seasoning! This is a large cut of meat, so be sure to season the pork liberally with your favorite dry rub or seasoning blend.

• Add other flavors: Boost the flavor of your pulled pork by adding aromatic ingredients like onions, garlic, and herbs to the slow cooker.

• Low and slow: Though you can cook it on the high setting, for the most tender and flavorful results, cook the pork on low heat for a longer period of time. This allows the meat to break down slowly and become melt-in-your-mouth tender.

• Don't peek: Resist the urge to lift the lid and check on the pork too frequently during cooking. Each time you open the slow cooker, you release heat and moisture, which can increase the cooking time.

• Shred with ease: Once the pork is cooked through and fork-tender, use two forks to easily shred the meat directly in the slow cooker. It should effortlessly fall apart.

• Rest before serving: Allow the pulled pork to rest in its juices for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Dry rub: Feel free to experiment with the amount of the ingredients in the rub. For more smoky flavor, add more smoked paprika, For a spicy kick, add an extra pinch of cayenne pepper.

• Sauce: We used homemade BBQ sauce, but if you have a favorite sugar free store-bought brand, you can certainly use it instead.

• Vinegar alternatives: You can replace the apple cider vinegar with white vinegar or red wine vinegar if that's what you have on hand.

Do You Need Liquid in a Slow Cooker for Pulled Pork?

You don't need much liquid to slow cook pork since it releases juices while cooking. But you will want to use some type of flavorful liquid to give the pork additional flavor and to help keep the pork tender and moist.

Why is My Pulled Pork Still Tough After Cooking?

If you added enough liquid and it's still tough when the cooking time is up, you'll just need to cook it a little longer.

Should I Flip My Pork Shoulder in a Slow Cooker?

If you have a large crockpot, you should not have to flip a 5-6 pound roast. For roasts weighing more than that, I do recommend that you flip it half way through the cooking time.

Can I Put Raw Pork in a Slow Cooker?

Of course! The slow cooker is designed to cook meat in its raw state. Just make sure you keep the lid on the cooker and that you cook meat to the recommended temperature.

🍽️ More Keto Slow Cooker Recipes

• Tuscan Chicken
• Chicken Soup
• Turkey Breast with Gravy
• Southern Green Beans
• Mississippi Pot Roast
• BBQ Meatballs