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Slow cooker pulled pork with BBQ sauce

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with BBQ Sauce

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 sandwiches
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 to 5 lb pork shoulder pork butt, bone-in or boneless
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons paprika smoked if you have it
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup apple juice or chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce plus more for serving
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
  • Burger buns and coleslaw for serving

Method
 

  1. Mix brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub all over the pork shoulder.
  2. Pour apple juice into the slow cooker. Add the pork. Drizzle with liquid smoke if using.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW 8 to 10 hours (or HIGH 5 to 6 hours) until the pork shreds easily.
  4. Transfer pork to a board and shred with two forks. Discard bone and large fat pieces.
  5. Skim fat from the cooking liquid. Return pork to the slow cooker and toss with the juices.
  6. Stir in BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar. Cover and warm on LOW for 20 minutes.
  7. Serve on burger buns with coleslaw and extra BBQ sauce.

Notes

LOW heat gives the most tender result - use it if you have time.
Always toss the shredded pork with the cooking juices before adding sauce.
Add BBQ sauce at the end, not at the beginning, so it does not burn.