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One recipe, endless meals. My slow cooker pork loin pulled pork is stress-free, freezer-friendly, and full of rich flavor and perfect texture. It's ideal for everything from kid-approved sandwiches to restaurant-worthy tacos!
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If you're looking for a go-to family dinner that always delivers, this slow-cooked pulled pork is it. I rely on it for family gatherings, vacations, and easy weeknight meals.
Slow cooker pulled pork is a stress-free make-ahead dish that works for just about any occasion. Hosting friends, meal prepping for the week, putting dinner together in a pinch - you name it!
Serve it in sandwiches, tacos, rice bowls, sliders, pizza, nachos - the list goes on.
But my family's favorite? Pulled pork nachos piled high with melted cheese. It never lasts long, and always brings everyone to the table.
Ingredients in Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Pork: This recipe is for pulled pork loin, but you can also use pork butt or pork shoulder according to your preferences.
- Sauce: For the sauce, my sweet BBQ sauce or homemade teriyaki sauce work best. You can also use your favorite bottled sauce, if you prefer.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work well for this dish. This adds sweetness and caramelization to the pulled pork that you won't want to skip out on. Dark brown sugar has more of a molasses flavor, so use whichever you prefer.
- Seasoning: For the seasoning, my pulled pork seasoning recipe works best. This is a mix of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
How to Cook Pulled Pork Loin in the Slow Cooker
- Mix together BBQ sauce, beef broth, and brown sugar in a bowl. Then, stir in garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Place the pork roast into the slow cooker, and cover with the sauce mixture.
- Cook on High for about 4 hours, turning 2 to 3 times during the cooking time to ensure even doneness. Start to encourage the pork to shred by pulling apart with 2 forks.
- Turn the slow cooker on low and cook for approximately 45 minutes until most of the juice absorbs and the pork shreds. Remove fat from the pork using tongs and set aside on a plate for disposal.
Making Pulled Pork Loin in the Oven
To make pulled pork loin in the oven instead, prepare the sauce according to step 1 above. Preheat your oven to 300°F and cook, covered, in a dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed oven-safe braising pot for 3-4 hours until it shreds easily with a fork. Make sure it's nicely submerged in the BBQ sauce mixture so it doesn't burn.
Pulled Pork with Pork Loin Variations
- Teriyaki: Replace BBQ sauce with Teriyaki sauce, keeping other ingredients the same.
- Peach pulled pork: Use ½ cup of ponzu sauce and thin slices of peach or nectarine instead of Teriyaki sauce for a sweet and spicy peach pulled pork.
- Spicy Portuguese pulled pork: Use ½ cup red pepper paste or puree and ½ cup peri peri sauce instead of BBQ sauce.
- This recipe also works well with a pork butt or Boston butt!
- Have fun with your favorite spices. Always use recipes are your inspiration but have fun and add your favorite flavors.
Top Reviews
This was the easiest pulled pork recipe I have ever made and it was delicious. My family loved this meal! - Amanda
Although one of my husbands favorite things is pulled pork I’d never tried making it at home. I had picked up a pork loin and discovered I had all the ingredients for this recipe in my cabinet already. It was Incredibly easy! More importantly than an easy meal to prepare was the taste… delicious!
We had it on Hawaiian buns tonight but I’m already thinking of using the leftovers for tacos. Thanks for the fab recipe! - Shannon
This was beyond easy and delicious! I've been taking a bite here and there while the pork soaks up all the jus. Thanks so much! - SJB
See them all here→ or keep scrolling to the comments section below!
What to Serve with Pork Loin Pulled Pork
FAQ
My favorite cut to use is a pork loin. I do not advise using pork shoulder as it most often comes with the skin on and is a bit too fatty for a crockpot recipe.
I always recommend using a sauce and also beef or chicken broth. This will create the juiciest pork!
Most of the time I make this recipe ahead of time and let it sit on the lowest possible setting until ready to serve. This is why it's so important to add some broth and BBQ sauce.
Pork Loin Temperature
As a general rule, the minimum internal temperature for pork, such as chops or roasts, is 145°F as recommended by the USDA. I recommend always using a meat thermometer. I always refer to my Pork Temperature Chart.
Pork Loin Pulled Pork
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. pork loin roast
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together 1 cup BBQ sauce, 1 cup beef broth, and ¼ cup brown sugar in a bowl. Add in 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Stir.1 cup BBQ Sauce,1 cup beef broth,¼ cup brown sugar,1 tablespoon garlic powder,1 tablespoon paprika,1 teaspoon onion powder,¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Add the 2 lbs. pork loin roast to the slow cooker and cover with the teriyaki sauce mixture.2 lbs. pork loin roast
- Cook on High for 4 hours, turning 2 to 3 times during the cooking to ensure the pork cooks evenly. Start to encourage the pork to shred by pulling apart with 2 forks.
- Turn the slow cooker to Low and cook for approximately 45 minutes, until most of the juice is absorbed and the pork shreds. Remove fat from pork with tongs and set aside on a plate to dispose of. Serve and enjoy!
Shannon says
Although one of my husbands favorite things is pulled pork I’d never tried making it at home. I had picked up a pork loin and discovered I had all the ingredients for this recipe in my cabinet already. It was Incredibly easy! More importantly than an easy meal to prepare was the taste… delicious!
We had it on Hawaiian buns tonight but I’m already thinking of using the leftovers for tacos. Thanks for the fab recipe!
Em Beitel says
That's so awesome, Shannon! We're so glad you enjoyed it - thank you for sharing your experience with us!
SJB says
This was beyond easy and delicious! I've been taking a bite here and there while the pork soaks up all the jus. Thanks so much!
Em Beitel says
We're so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for trying it out and leaving us a comment!
arlene nicotra says
My name is Arlene. I tried your pulled pork loin recipe in my slow cooker. It came delicious. I did not have coleslaw so I chopped some lettuce to top pork and put mayo on your recommended hamburger buns. Wonderful.
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Arlene! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for your comment!
Therese DeBlasio says
Made it tonight.! Looks and smells great
Isabel Laessig says
Thank you so much for making it, Therese! This is one of my favorite recipes. You can't go wrong with pulled pork!